As the evening deepened outside the window, the lights became more vibrant, illuminating the transparent glass.

Johann Leopoldt entered with slow steps.

The gold-framed border of the Patek “New Watch” sparkled on his straight wrist.

The two stood silently, gazing at each other.

In the silence, Johann was the first to move. Edgar also narrowed the distance, matching Johann’s approaching steps.

Edgar, passing by the table, reached out and grabbed a black box.

A sparkling tower of champagne glasses stood between the two as they stopped.

Even the sound of footsteps ceased, and another fragile silence flowed through the suspended space.

Edgar was the one to break the air’s tension.

“I hope you liked the gift.”

Edgar shook clumsily while pulling out two glasses from the top.

Johann, passing indifferently, sat on the sofa. Edgar took a seat across from him.

“Yeah. About the matter.”

In a haughty posture with crossed legs, a golden glint shimmered on Johann’s wrist as he displayed it.

“That watch.”

With a thin gaze, Johann, looking at Edgar, directed his gaze down to his own wrist, following Edgar.

“Olivia wants it.”

Edgar replied, pulling the red ribbon wrapped around the box. Silently, the untied ribbon fell to the ground.

Johann’s brow slightly furrowed. It wasn’t amusing at all.

That he came to Greathill at this time, and for a watch, for Margaret Wellington of all people.

“Since when did you become Olivia’s messenger?”

Johann’s meaning-laden question made Edgar smirk.

“Not yet. At least, not a messenger.”

Imagining Poppy barking at Olivia’s feet made him burst into laughter.

“I don’t know about the future work.”

It might not be bad.

“Since when was it?”

Taking out a cigarette and placing it loosely in his mouth, Johann asked.

“Since the moment you abandoned it.”

“It serves as consolation.”

“We have similar tastes.”

Edgar opened the gift box and smirked. Johann, seeing the champagne neatly arranged on the black velvet, chuckled.

The spelling “Leopoldt” written on the silver surface gleamed in the light.

“You heartless bastard.”

With a strike, Johann lit a match and raised his head, hurling a curse.

“Indeed, I knew you’d like it.”

Looking directly at Johann, whose noble self-confidence flowed through his whole body like Edenborough men, Edgar poured champagne.

Yellow liquid bubbled and foamed inside the transparent glass.

Edgar pushed the glass towards Johann.

“Happy birthday, Johann.”

A cool early summer night breeze blew in from the window.

Under the swaying chandelier lights, Edgar’s gaze deepened.

The Patek shone on Johann’s wrist as he raised the crystal glass.

“Were you ever this kind to me?”

Putting the glass down and leaning against the backrest, Johann asked casually. Under the dim lighting, his gray eyes glowed mysteriously.

“Depending on the situation.”
Edgar flashed a relaxed smile.

“For her, I do such despicable things like this…”

With Edgar’s nonsense, Olivia’s voice, speaking of eternal love, brushed through his mind, and a sneer followed.

“Olivia.”

It was a heavy tone.

“No.”

Johann’s gaze wiped away the smile at the corner of Edgar’s lips.

“Why.”

Under the dazzling lights where crystals sparkled, Edgar, squinting his eyes, tilted his head lazily and asked.

“Because of the reason you think.”

Johann spoke quietly.

“Even if it wasn’t for that reason, it wouldn’t have mattered.”

“Reason?”

Edgar asked, lifting the glass.

“I don’t like it.”

It was a truly arrogant and selfish attitude.

Unable to bear it, Edgar burst into laughter. However, for a moment, the laughter disappeared, and his expression turned chilly.

“Then. Try to stop me.”

Staring at the eyes with an oddly blue tint, resembling himself, Johann once doubted if Edgar, who was once unofficially a distant cousin and not a real brother, might be different.

A bastard born of a bastard. Edgar Langcaster.

Those who knew the truth were already buried underground, so he would continue to live as Langcaster in the future. However, what Olivia, who lived with him and clashed with him, got involved with Edgar, was an unacceptable matter.

That was all.

“Do I look generous to you?”

A powerful aura emanated from Johann. Edgar did not avoid that gaze.

Olivia Blanshet.

A pawn to be used and discarded, but her ex-husband dared to provoke him like this.

He couldn’t help but respond to the expectation.

“Once again.”

Edgar stood up first.

“Happy birthday. Brother.”

Leaving a languid smile in the light, Edgar crossed the reception room.

Although he couldn’t reclaim the watch, avoiding a public scandal in front of everyone was not a bad result.

In the place where Edgar disappeared, a cool breeze brought the scent of roses.

“My love, even your watch makes me jealous.”

The words written on the birthday card came to mind.

Olivia was that kind of woman.

Like a fish forced out of the mud, flapping as if its breath would be cut off. A woman who struggled as if she would die without her love.

That changed woman.

Johann slowly tilted the champagne glass in his hand.