After feeding Danielle the grapes, Ross slipped a finger into her mouth, then slowly traced it downward, between her thighs.

Danielle had never seen Ross so brazenly mischievous. She squirmed against him, whimpering softly about the ache building inside her, but when he pressed, asking what she was feeling, she couldn’t find the words.

Ross kissed her again, deep and consuming, down Danielle’s cheek; Ross caught it with his tongue, the salt tang mixing with the sweetness of grapes on his lips, but it only stoked his hunger, leaving him ravenous for more. A tear slipped.

The room reeked of their desire, thick and heady, like fermented wine.

Late into the night, Danielle’s wrists were finally freed. Ross held her close, tucking a blanket around her shivering form.

The air still hummed with the aftermath of their passion. Her eyes were red-rimmed as she curled into him, her hands now free to cling to his waist before drifting off to sleep.

He was no gentleman–just a man driven wild by jealousy. And yet, that wildness made her heart race. A few extra words with Jonathan, and he’d lost all composure.

The next morning, Danielle woke to a room strewn with evidence of their night–the couch stained, her sheets rumpled. Heat rushed to her cheeks. However, replacing the couch would tip off her family. She buried her face in her hands, mortified.

Ross’ tailored suit lay crumpled on the floor, marked with stubborn stains. Her first instinct was to toss it, but the thought of wasting such an expensive piece made her hesitate. She’d have to wash it herself, and the very idea flustered her.

Just then, Ross emerged from the bathroom, freshly showered, his gaze lingering on her with unapologetic hunger.

Danielle thrust the suit at him. “You clean it.”

Ross caught it, no trace of disgust. “But it smells like you.”

Danielle’s face burned. “Ross, I misjudged you.”

He laughed, pulling her close. “Then don’t make me jealous again.”

She pouted. “And you won’t keep secrets from me anymore?”

He nodded.

“What about this?” she asked, nodding at the suit.

Ross smirked. “We keep it as a souvenir.”

Danielle gaped, lunging for it–but he held it out of reach. Annoyed, she nipped his jaw.

At breakfast, Ross wore the bite mark like a badge, while Danielle’s neck was dotted with love bites–Ross had forbidden her to cover them. Her parents raised eyebrows but said nothing; young love, after all. They were just surprised that their cold daughter actually turned so hot in front of Ross.

With the misunderstanding cleared, Danielle and Ross prepared to return to Basterel. Her parents loaded them with gifts, no trace of sadness–if anything, they looked amused.

The summer sun blazed, so Danielle ducked into the car quickly. Glancing over, she caught Jonathan watching from next door. She smiled faintly, and he waved, his expression tight.

Gone was last night’s restlessness. In Ross’ presence, her cold demeanor melted into softness. Jonathan stared at the sky, a dull ache in his chest.

Meanwhile, Jasmine and Damien were packing to leave Ustrana–Damien’s vacation was ending. They planned to collect Thomas from Shermaine’s, then head home.

Instead of taking Earth’s transportation, they flew back to Wallington in a mecha.

Thomas had been staying with Gracie all this time. Even with his parents away, he didn’t seem all that sad.

At Shermaine’s house, Thomas was fighting with George. But Thomas couldn’t beat George, so he started wailing loudly.

When Jasmine saw Thomas crying his heart out, she couldn’t help but laugh.

George was still complaining about Thomas. Gracie felt so annoyed by her naughty brothers.

Thomas said in tears, “Gracie, it hurts so much.”

Before Gracie could say anything, George cut Thomas off.

When Thomas saw that Gracie had no intention of comforting him, he cried even louder.

Jasmine picked Thomas up. “Babe, don’t cry even if you lose. You have to be strong.”

George nodded in agreement. After all, this fight had been started by Thomas.

Thomas cried bitterly. He didn’t want to be strong; he just wanted Gracie to comfort him. Seeing that she couldn’t soothe Thomas, Jasmine had to smile bitterly and ask Gracie, “Gracie, could you comfort him a little, please?”

Gracie had no choice but to put down her book and hand Thomas a candy. She said, “Stop crying. You’re disturbing my reading.”

Jasmine was speechless. She thought Thomas would cry even harder, but he stopped instead.

After taking the candy, Thomas begged Gracie, “Could you unwrap it for me?”

Gracie sighed, fishing a candy from her pocket. “Here. Stop yelling.”

Thomas hurried to nod.

Gracie gave him one too. She hated sweets, but kept a stash to pacify the boys.

Jasmine decided to wait until Thomas napped to leave–otherwise, he’d throw a fit.

Shermaine arrived home early, knowing they planned to depart. “Stay for lunch?” she offered.

Jasmine nodded.

“Joshua’s out, so I’ll cook.” She hadn’t cooked for a long time. Today was a good chance to brush up on her cooking skills.

Dave, perched on Gracie’s head, perked up. “Sheary, ribeye steak!”

Meanwhile, in that battle, after Henry rescued Shirley, two more hours of fighting passed before the war subsided.

At this moment, she was in the army’s infirmary, and the doctor was treating her wound.

Shirley had blocked a mutant’s attack to save a soldier. Now, the doctor was stitching up her wound.

Shirley had a blank expression, only feeling a little curious why that handsome man was looking at her with such interest.

“What’s your name?” Henry asked.

Shirley said, “Vivianus.”

Henry said, “You’re very brave.”

Shirley thanked him.

Henry studied her, thinking she looked so much like Shirley. But Vivianus was a man, so he couldn’t be Shirley. He said, “Has anyone told you that you look like the queen?”

Shirley replied calmly, “Yes. The queen is noble and strong. Do you like her?”

Henry shook his head.

Shirley nodded. She was a bit surprised that Henry didn’t like the sexy and beautiful queen, then asked, “Do you like men?”

He didn’t like the queen, yet kept staring at her, who now looked like a man. That was why Shirley asked.

Henry felt a little awkward at her question. “I don’t like men either. Having sex is not my thing.”

Somehow, he trusted Shirley a lot, so he even blurted out this awkward secret in front of the doctor.

Shirley subconsciously glanced at his crotch, then teased, “You don’t look that young. Have you never slept with a woman?”

Henry shot her a look. “You must be very experienced, huh?”

Shirley lost her memory and couldn’t remember if she’d had any men before. These days, she’d been mixing in the military camp, always around men, but hadn’t liked any of them. Still, she put on a brave front. “Of course, I’ve had several women.”

Henry smiled and said no more. He actually felt a little envious of Shirley. He’d never had sex, so he was always mocked by Joshua, Roy, and Ross. Every time they got together, he was the only one left out.

Shirley’s wound had been stitched up. The doctor said, “After it heals, you can have a scar removal surgery. Your skin is so good; it’s a pity to have a scar.”

Shirley nodded, thanked the doctor, then said to Henry, “You saved my life, so I’ll treat you to a meal.”

Henry said, “Sure, let’s go.” But he didn’t expect that Shirley, who seemed quite well-off, would take him to a hot dog stand.

There weren’t many customers at the hot dog stand. Shirley said calmly, “I still owe someone money, so I can only treat you to hot dogs.”

Henry raised his eyebrows. “Alright, I don’t mind.”

The soldiers had once been ordinary civilians. They didn’t stay stuck in the sorrow of their destroyed homes; instead, they put on a bonfire party.

This was a city of music, and everyone could sing and play an instrument. So when night fell, the whole city was filled with the sweet smell of wine and wonderful songs.

Drinks were free, and Shirley drank heartily. She especially loved this atmosphere, as if it had released her pent-up nature.

Then Shirley walked onto the stage, took over someone’s spot, and started playing the drums. The lively rhythm and her handsome face instantly heated the entire party’s atmosphere to the maximum.

Henry looked at Shirley and couldn’t help but smile, He thought, ‘Vivianus is interesting.‘