Chapter 279 A Deliberate Test

Leona's POV The next day, the sun was warm, and the sea breeze was mild. I followed a few steps behind Mr. Z, accompanying him on an inspection of Zenith Town along with two male servants from the estate. Looking at the tall, upright figure walking ahead, I quietly let out a breath of relief. Thankfully, I wasn't accompanying him alone. But this inspection showed me a different Mr. Z, not quite the aloof and unapproachable impression I'd had of him before. The town's residents didn't seem afraid of him. Instead, they treated him like a deeply beloved leader. When they saw him, they would even stop what they were doing to bow and greet him warmly. I could clearly see the genuine respect and affection in their eyes. What surprised me even more was Mr. Z's response. He patiently nodded back to every person who greeted him. Sometimes he would even stop and listen to an old fisherman ramble about household trifles. When he saw a few children playing by the roadside, covered in s