Yvonne Foster had long since developed a resistance to her younger brother’s wheedling, so she ignored him and firmly refused: “No need. I’m used to sleeping alone. If someone’s watching, I won’t be able to fall asleep.”

Henry Carter interjected at just the right moment: “Chad, don’t worry. I’m alert and will keep watch over Yvonne.” With that, he exchanged a smile with Yvonne Foster.

Chad Foster could only move with resentment into the room next to Yvonne Foster. Just like before, separated by a thin wall—unable to see, unable to touch.

The last remnants of dusk’s light slowly retreated to the horizon, and the night’s black veil gradually covered the sky. After dark, lanterns lit up all around the governor’s residence. Amber hexagonal lanterns hung from the eaves, casting an oval halo of light.

At the end of spring, the nights were cool and refreshing, so most people in the residence stayed in the warm pavilion, playing cards for entertainment. As the saying goes, “Spring brings drowsiness, autumn brings fatigue,” so at this time, everyone usually settled in early. The courtyard was silent, with only the chorus of insects in the grass.

Olivia Sullivan’s skirt brushed the ground, making a faint sound. She wandered alone in the night, stopping and starting, her steps a bit hesitant.

The dim lanterns stretched her shadow, swaying as it was cast onto the white walls of the garden.

“How strange,” she mused. “Why does the governor’s residence look so different at night compared to the day?”

Olivia Sullivan had no sense of direction.

She couldn’t tell east from west or north from south, and relied entirely on navigation when going out. Without someone to guide her, she could wander in circles in a small place and never find her way out.

The governor’s residence was a rather exquisite garden, with a winding pond in the center, pavilions and towers arranged around it, rising and falling in height, scattered front and back, with large and small Taihu rocks standing everywhere, pines and cypresses interspersed. Back then, her chubby father had spent a fortune to have this garden built, just to stand out as truly “elegant” among the many pretentious Jiangnan merchants.

But to Olivia Sullivan, this garden was nothing short of a maze.

And now, at night, it was a maze in the dark.

She followed her daytime memories, bumping into walls along the way, and finally managed to find what seemed to be the main group’s residence.

The lights in Chad Foster and Yvonne Foster’s rooms were already out, but warm yellow light still shone from Henry Carter’s room.

Ever since receiving the mission reminder, Olivia Sullivan hadn’t slept well for days, and dark circles had appeared under her eyes.

She couldn’t understand why Ethan Sullivan, a proper young lady, always insisted on doing such sneaky things.

Now that it had come to this, she was still nervous—she’d never done anything so embarrassing in her life.

She crept up to the window, carefully reached out a finger, and lifted a small corner of the curled window paper, then pressed herself against it.

A small lamp glowed on the table, illuminating Henry Carter’s gentle profile as he leaned over, meticulously wiping the delicate Ninefold Demon-Catching Pagoda with a soft cloth.

Ethan Sullivan was always peeping at her beloved like this at night—wasn’t that perverted? Olivia Sullivan wanted to cry. Judging by the worn, curled window paper, who knew how many times the original owner had done this before.

The candle flickered, and Henry Carter’s movements suddenly stopped. He looked toward the window, alert. Olivia Sullivan quickly stepped back several paces, standing outside the door, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest.

Suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder. Olivia Sullivan gasped and turned around, only to see a familiar face.

A white headband fluttered gently in the breeze. Chad Foster stood in the night, his hair damp with dew, his eyes shimmering with a watery light. He lowered his voice and smiled, “What are you up to, Miss Sullivan?”

Chapter 7: Substitute Bride (Seven)

In the moonlight, Olivia Sullivan looked up, her face pale, her almond-shaped eyes gazing at him pitifully.

There were two deep, dark circles under her eyes, which looked rather frightening at first glance.

“I…” she hesitated, biting her lower lip, as if finding it hard to speak. “…I have insomnia.”

“Insomnia?” Chad Foster crossed his arms, not picking on her evasive answer, just smiled and said, “Oh, looks like you haven’t been sleeping well.” He took a few steps closer, lowered his head to study her face, his expression flawlessly concerned. “Miss Sullivan, is there something on your mind that’s keeping you up?”

Olivia Sullivan avoided his gaze, grumbling inwardly: He’s probing again, the black lotus is probing again.

“There is something on my mind.” She nodded weakly, going along with Chad Foster’s words.

“Is it about Young Master Carter?” He smiled faintly, glancing toward Henry Carter’s window.

“No, it’s not that.” Olivia sighed and squatted down. “I just can’t sleep and wanted to find someone to talk to.” She looked up at Chad Foster, lowering her voice. “I didn’t expect you’d all be asleep, and only the light in Big Brother Carter’s room was still on. I was going to call him, but I was afraid of disturbing him, so I was hesitating.”

Chad Foster’s eyes, shimmering with watery light, studied her, as if pondering something. But behind that gentle light was a bottomless whirlpool.

After a moment, he reached out and affectionately placed his hand on her shoulder. Olivia Sullivan instinctively shrank back, but couldn’t avoid it. He used a bit of strength, deftly turning her around. “What a coincidence, I’m not asleep yet. I’ll keep Miss Sullivan company and chat.”

Olivia let Chad Foster steer her away, forcibly distancing her from the main group’s residence, walking stiffly along the stone-paved path.