Chapter 76: It’s Human Nature
Samuel froze for a second, his grip tightening on the steering wheel until the leather groaned.
His face went slightly pale at the sudden mention of his private ghost, but he kept his eyes strictly on the road. "I... I suppose I would have tried to prepare myself, ma’am. Or perhaps avoided the restaurant entirely and shifted the date."
"Exactly. You would have altered your behavior based on the future," April said flatly. Then, she shifted her weight, looking directly at the back of his head. "But would that have stopped her from thinking about a break up?"
Samuel went silent. The fact that Mei confessed to having found another man made him believe that nothing would’ve changed even if he changed his behavior or moved the date.
In the end, she was tired of him and their breakup was imminent.
"No, Miss April," his gaze slightly darkened. "It wouldn’t have."
So, he more or less understands that it was an inevitable future. Even if I had told him about it, nothing would’ve changed. She thought. "Samuel, I am going to tell you the truth, and it is none of my business, but I need you to listen very carefully."
Samuel remained silent, his breath hitching slightly as he lifted his hooded gaze.
"The morning before the day you got your heart broken, I saw the exact day, time, and location where you were going to propose to your girlfriend. And I knew, with absolute certainty, that she was going to reject you and break your heart." April’s voice was entirely devoid of warmth, dripping with a blunt, crystalline honesty. "And do you know what I felt at that exact moment?"
Samuel didn’t answer.
"I felt excited," April claimed, her eyes reflecting the dark dashboard lights. "I was genuinely thrilled because I thought I was going to get to watch a real-life, dramatic breakup happen right in front of me. I wanted to use your personal tragedy as a form of casual entertainment because I had never seen a live breakup drama before—even if you’ve only ever helped me since you came under my service. Isn’t that just tragic to hear?"
The silence inside the luxury sedan became deafening.
"With this, you should realize a very fundamental truth, Samuel," April concluded, her tone dropping into a cool, final register. "I am not a nice person. I am not some fragile, innocent young lady for you to waste your remorse on. I am unhinged, and unapologetic. So stop drowning yourself in guilt over me getting kidnapped this afternoon. My capture had absolutely nothing to do with your competence. It was an anomaly I couldn’t foresee, and an anomaly I used to secure my own interests. Do not make yourself a victim in a game where I am the one holding the board."
The car finally pulled up to the grand, marble entrance of the Reed mansion, the engine raving silently as it idled.
Samuel sat motionless for a long, heavy beat. He didn’t put the car in park immediately. Slowly, he bowed his head just a single inch—his eyes still locked firmly on the dark, empty driveway ahead, his shoulders trembling slightly under the weight of her words.
He didn’t look back at her. He didn’t defend his honor, nor did he express shock at her cold confession. Instead, a faint, incredibly weary smile touched the corner of his lips as he let out a long, ragged breath he had been holding all day.
"It’s human nature, Miss April," Samuel murmured, his voice thick but remarkably steady. He shifted the gear into park, the locks clicking open smoothly. "Whether you consider yourself a good person or not... it doesn’t change the fact that you are a very remarkable person, and an asset that this empire needs and thrives with. And it certainly doesn’t change my duty to aid you."
He stepped out of the car, walking around to open her door with his usual, impeccable grace, but the brittle, suffocating shadow in his eyes was finally gone.
"Honestly, it doesn’t matter if you found thrill in my tragedy. Because..." he smiled weakly, offering her a hand to step out. "It was still you that opened my eyes and let me know that I was far too valuable to lose. You cheered me up, and you reminded me that I had value." He bowed his head deeply. "And honestly, whether you had found thrill or you had cried about it, nothing would’ve changed. I would’ve still gotten cheated on and dumped. So, you are not the villain here. If anything, I appreciate you."
April went silent. She did not expect that response at all.
"What shall be your schedule for tomorrow, Miss April?" he asked, a genuine smile on his face as if he had not just heard her talking about his breakup like it had been a joke.
She let out a sudden, sharp bark of a laugh. Truly, this man was something.
"Cancel everything for tomorrow," she said, her lips twitching with rare amusement. "I don’t know who else might be after me, but I think I should take a break from moving around. Let’s relax for tomorrow, and then continue with our schedule the day after."
She already had extensive plans to dive into some serious online shopping. The thrill would be crazy.
Samuel bowed his head once again.
"It is a highly prudent decision, Miss April," Samuel murmured, his posture relaxing as he bowed his head once more. "Given the afternoon’s volatility, a period of rest within the mansion’s secured perimeter is entirely logical. However, please remember that your confinement does not equal stagnation. You may still utilize me for any logistical needs, no matter how grand." He straightened, a smooth, unshakeable confidence returning to his eyes. "I assure you, I will serve your interests to the absolute best of my abilities."
Right. A truly valuable asset, she thought, looking at him and his low, respectful bow. I definitely wouldn’t trade this one.
"Then, I need a list of all the things I’ve bought up until now," April commanded, her eyes glinting with a sudden, sharp focus. "I want to order them again. All of them, triple the amount."
"Everything?" Samuel asked, looking at her in genuine surprise.
April simply nodded, her expression fierce and determined. "That’s right. We haven’t even gotten to half of what I plan to buy, so get to work, Samuel. I’m trusting you with this."
Samuel looked into her fierce, unyielding eyes, a profound sense of clarity washing over him. He lowered his head into a profound, faultless bow, the final bow for the evening.
"Very well, Miss April. I shall not disappoint you."
