Chapter 172 - 171: That Year of Apricot Blossoms and Light Rain

Leo Grant was the first to follow behind him, and the other three men fell into step as well.

Suites 1 through 10 were distributed evenly on both sides of the second floor, while Suite 0 was situated in the middle, directly facing the auction stage and set some distance apart from the other rooms.

Aside from two waiters, they didn’t see a single soul on their way there. It was eerily quiet.

What surprised Leo Grant the most was that there wasn’t a single guard in the private hallway leading to Suite 0.

’Even on their own turf, with so many people coming and going, how could they be this relaxed?’

’What a fascinating person...’

Yvonne Lowell: ’You idiot! You think just anyone can walk down this hallway!? HUH!?’

The group followed Colin to the door of a suite. Leo Grant instinctively glanced up at the doorframe; the room number was indeed 0.

’It’s just that the 0 was a little *too* round, like a big pancake.’

Colin stepped forward and knocked. The door was immediately opened from the inside.

Leo Grant and the others followed him into the suite, only to see several martial artists standing inside, their waists slightly bent and their eyes lowered, not looking at them.

Ian Lynch and Warren Lynch exchanged a glance. ’No search? They just let us walk in with our weapons?’

’Is the owner of this underground auction house truly that trusting, or are they just fearless, knowing we’re no threat?’

Leo Grant’s eyes narrowed slightly as he casually surveyed the lavishly decorated interior of the suite.

’This person certainly knows how to live. This suite isn’t just several times larger than ours, but the decor is far more luxurious too.’

’It’s fully equipped, you could practically use it as a residential suite. Don’t tell me this person lives here most of the time. Do the sofas push together to make a bed?’

’Looks like this underground auction business is a real money-maker. Maybe I should take over the one in Continent R?’

’Not a bad idea. I think it’s feasible. Once I get back, I’ll roll up my sleeves and get right to it!’

Leo Grant’s gaze finally landed on the right side of the room, on a folding screen that concealed an entryway wide enough for only two people. ’So, the person is over there?’

Colin raised a hand. "Gentlemen, this way, please. Our master is inside."

The men exchanged a look and followed him over.

"Master, the guests have arrived."

After leading them to the entrance behind the screen, Colin stepped aside and stood still, gesturing for them to enter first.

But Leo Grant took just one step before he froze, clearly stunned.

There, sitting on the sofa, was the young woman he had just video-chatted with a few days ago, watching him with a teasing smile.

Next to her was a large lion, its tail swishing back and forth.

The lion’s head was resting on her lap, its cold eyes staring straight at him.

"You’re here." Yvonne Lowell raised an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth curling into an ever-widening grin.

The three men behind him also recognized the familiar voice. They glanced at each other, their expressions turning a bit strange.

’No way, bro, it can’t be *this* much of a coincidence, can it?!’

Nolan Crawford, in disbelief, tugged on Leo Grant’s arm and peeked around him. "Holy crap! You... you... you... you... you..."

’Well, what do you know. It really is her. Everything makes sense now.’

’The gossipy look on the receptionist’s face, and kicking out that second-generation rich kid from the Sterling Family of Marisburg.’

’No wonder. Turns out she was flying into a rage for her handsome man...’

’Great. Another day of having PDA shoved in my face ^_^’

"’You’ what? What are you standing there stunned for? Come on, have a seat." Yvonne Lowell jutted her chin toward the sofa across from her.

Leo Grant snapped back to reality. Suppressing his surprise and ignoring the cold stare of a certain lion, he started walking toward Yvonne Lowell.

"ROAR!" ’You stay back, kid! Get away from my mom!’

Sensing him getting closer, Leogryph immediately shot to its feet, baring its fangs at him.

’I had a feeling this kid was up to no good! Just as I thought! He’s almost here!’

Hearing the deafening roar, the three men behind Leo, who had just started to relax, felt their hearts leap back into their throats as they looked over fearfully.

Nolan Crawford had only peeked around, seeing just Yvonne Lowell’s face, while Ian Lynch and Warren Lynch hadn’t even looked up.

As their view widened, they realized that in their attempt to look down and play deaf to avoid the PDA, they had completely missed the giant creature in the room!!!

Wait a second...

A lion?!?!?!

A live one?!?!?!

What the fuck?!?!?!

Leogryph: ’You can’t even see my 400-pound self? If your eyes are that useless, you might as well donate them to me for a midnight snack!!!’

◡ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ┻━┻

Leo Grant raised an eyebrow, not a hint of panic on his face. He continued walking without breaking his stride.

Just as Leogryph was about to lash out, Yvonne Lowell interrupted its "spell-casting" with a smack.

"Keep roaring and I’ll pull out all your teeth. What did I just tell you? Is this how you treat your new friend?"

"ROAR!" ’Oh, so that’s how it is! You’d abuse your own son for some random guy!?’

Leogryph gave her a mournful look, as if staring at a heartless cheater.

’That year, under a light drizzle of apricot blossoms, you said you were my mom. Perhaps it was all a mistake from the very beginning.’

Leo Grant sat down next to Yvonne Lowell, smoothly taking her hand. He glanced at the lion’s head with a hint of provocation in his eyes.

"Bonnie, so this is Leogryph?"

"ROAR!" ’Grandpa’s right here! What are you calling me for?!’

Leogryph stopped baring its fangs at him but didn’t give him a pleasant look either, simply plopping its head back onto Yvonne Lowell’s lap.

"Yep. He’s the giant body pillow you saw the other day."

Yvonne Lowell jiggled her leg. Leogryph’s head went *THUNK*, bouncing up and then down again.

A sealed memory was unlocked. Nolan Crawford was so shocked his voice cracked.

"Leo... Leogryph, this is the African lion you mentioned before?! Your little pet?! It actually exists?!"

Ian Lynch couldn’t help but twitch his lips. ’Little... little pet?!’

’Suddenly, this "little" thing didn’t seem so cute anymore.’

Warren Lynch wasn’t faring much better. Although he had heard those two words last time in Country A...

’But... he’d only heard the first part. He didn’t know it was a giant liooooon...’

Yvonne Lowell raised an eyebrow. "So you didn’t believe me before?"

Nolan Crawford laughed awkwardly. "I just thought you were saying it casually, you know? I didn’t expect there to be a real lion..."

’Could he admit he just thought it was a joke back then? Who knew she was actually this bold?!’

"So, you came to Continent N? This underground auction house in Continent N is yours? And you knew I was here from the start?"

"Yep. The front desk saw you and came to tell me. Surprised? Shocked?"

A sly smile flickered in Yvonne Lowell’s eyes. "Thank you, President Grant, for your contribution to the kids’ meat fund."

Leo Grant chuckled, half exasperated. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "You’re welcome. It’s what I should do as their father."

Once again, a keyword was triggered. Leogryph opened its eyes and glared at him.

"ROAR!" ’You little punk! Make yourself clear! Which one of us is the father here?!’