Chapter 1198

Megan waved her hand. “Oh, it’s nothing to fuss over. These plants were all cared for by the old gentleman who lived here before. Aurora asked me to be extra careful with them.”

Aurora had been very clear – the old man treasured every flower and tree in the courtyard. None of them could be damaged, and they’d even promised to send him regular updates about how things were going.

After Megan explained, Leonard still looked skeptical. “So, wait, you’re telling me you rented this place and now you also have to keep up someone else’s garden?” He stared wide-eyed, not quite believing what he was hearing.

“Of course. But don’t you think this courtyard has amazing character?” Megan tilted her head at him, her eyes bright with excitement.

Hearing that, Leonard finally started to take a serious look around. He had to admit that the layout and light, even the atmosphere of the place, was remarkable.

“You’re right. I didn’t expect Aurora to have such a sharp eye,” Leonard said honestly.

Megan beamed, taking the compliment as her own. “Naturally. I’ve always trusted her judgment completely.”

“But all these plants…” Leonard paced a little, still puzzled. “Does Aurora really plan on keeping them all, like some kind of hobby?”

“These weren’t planted by her.” Megan’s face lit with pride. “They belonged to the previous owner. His son moved him somewhere more comfortable, and this little courtyard was left behind.

“We just happened to be the ones to rent it. He couldn’t bear to see his garden abandoned, so we agreed to keep it up for him – flowers, vegetables, fruit, everything.”

With that, Leonard finally understood.

“So, is there anything I can actually help with?” he asked, eager not to just stand around doing nothing.

Megan glanced around and spotted a task. “Yes, take the plants from the living room outside. We’re moving out some old furniture, and we’ll need the space to reset the layout.”

She didn’t hesitate to put Leonard to work.

Leonard didn’t hesitate. After all, he knew exactly why he’d come here. Standing around with nothing to do simply wasn’t an option.

“Alright, I’ll get on it,” he said without a word of complaint.

Not only did he have no complaints, but his movements were smooth and efficient, almost effortless. And for someone whose hands were more used to signing contracts than heavy lifting, he handled the work with surprising skill.

Megan couldn’t help but laugh. “Not bad. I really underestimated you. I thought you were one of those spoiled rich boys who can’t lift a thing.”

Leonard gave her a half-smile, half-grimace. “So now, have I managed to change your opinion?”

He hadn’t expected that, in her eyes, he’d been lumped in with the useless pretty-boy types.

“You’ve definitely improved in my book,” Megan said with a straight face. “If you can hurry up and finish the rest, I might even consider your image downright heroic – at least in my eyes.”

Leonard chuckled. “Alright, alright. I get it. You’re just buttering me up to do more work. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”