?Chapter 2264


    Asher? Was there something about him that Arnold would not know?


    Each word felt like a blooming poppy, dangerous and alluring, drawing Arnold in with an irresistible temptation.


    It was because he loved him deeply.


    Love, after all, was the one weakness people could easily exploit.


    "How long will it take? I need to get back soon to celebrate my man''s birthday." Arnold finally gave in, his voice steady but filled with hesitation.


    "Not long." The man narrowed his cold eyes, shifted slightly to the side, and, with one hand in his pocket, gestured for Arnold to follow. "We''ll take my car. Let''s go."


    The ck car sped through the winter night, cloaked in darkness, as neon lights flickered past in a blur.


    In the passenger seat, Arnold held onto the bouquet of white roses, his eyes filled with unease as he stared out the window.


    Meanwhile, the man driving cast asional sidelong nces at his passenger, whose face, unnervingly attractive for a man, drew attention effortlessly.


    "What''s your name?" Arnold pressed again, still trying to uncover his identity.


    The uncertainty surrounding this man left him with no sense of security.


    The man''s enigmatic gaze shifted away from Arnold''s face as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel and responded, "My name is Elio Valen."


    Arnold repeated the name silently to himself, then continued questioning, "You know Asher? How do you know him? Are you enemies?"


    Elio did not look at him again and offered no further answers.


    Over an hourter, the ck car pulled into a deste courtyard and came to a stop in front of an abandoned vi.


    Despite the neglect and dpidation, Arnold could see that with proper care, this house would have a unique charm.


    It had a vintage European style, and the moment Arnoldid eyes on it, he felt a strange fondness for the ce.


    Elio stepped out first and politely opened the door for Arnold.


    By now, Arnold regretted his decision a little, but it was toote to turn back.


    Elio walked ahead, while Arnold followed closely behind, curiosity getting the better of him. "What is this ce?" Arnold asked.


    Elio halted his steps briefly and nced back coldly. "What? Asher never told you he has a house here?"Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Arnold''s eyes widened in shock. "You''re saying that this house belongs to Asher? Why would he let it fall into ruin?"


    Elio clenched his jaw as he pushed open the heavy doors of the vi. "Because something happened here. After that, this ce no longer held any meaning to him."


    Inside the vi, all the furniture was draped in white cloth. The air was cold, carrying the musty scent of dust, and the air was heavy, almost suffocating.


    Arnold, though particr about cleanliness as a doctor, did not feel disgusted by the state of the ce.


    On the contrary, he felt a deep sadness, as if time had frozen here, leaving behind a deste, unspoken sorrow.


    Elio led him upstairs to a room that turned out to be a private cinema.


    Arnold knew Asher had a passion for movies.


    In their home in Meridan, they had a simr private cinema. Countless nights had been spent there, lounging together on the soft sofa bed. Arnold would nestle happily in Asher''s arms as they watched old films with tender, heartbreaking lines. They would kiss deeply, sharing moments of intimacy and closeness.


    This room looked almost identical to the one in their vi in Meridan.


    "What exactly are you trying to tell me?" Arnold demanded, growing increasingly uneasy.