Chapter 474:
When the banquet finally wrapped up, Christina made sure the painting was carefully sealed and packed, treating it with the utmost care.
“You really are attached to that painting, aren’t you?” Dylan asked, his tone even and laced with curiosity. He hadn’t missed the way Christina’s gaze lingered on the artwork. Every time she looked at it, her eyes seemed to shine brighter, sparkling like a star and impossible for anyone to ignore.
A light blush colored Christina’s cheeks from the wine. She grinned. “Absolutely! There’s just something intriguing about a warrior whose face is half-missing, don’t you think?”
To her, the girl in the painting, with only part of her face visible, carried an air of mystery that drew people in and held their gaze.
“Yes,” Dylan agreed quietly. Had he known that one day he would cross paths with Christina, and that she would be so drawn to the “Half-Faced Warrior,” he would have purchased it without hesitation. He wished he could have been the one to present her with that painting, the one her eyes brightened with delight.
“There’s a certain beauty in imperfection,” Christina said, her smile gentle. “A piece that isn’t whole has a story all its own. Life’s full of rough edges and missing parts, but that doesn’t take away from what makes it special. Every life, even with its gaps, still has meaning.”
Hearing her words, Dylan’s serious look softened a little. He watched her, giving a thoughtful nod.
“We’re leaving for Dorfield tomorrow, right?” Christina asked.
“That’s right,” Dylan replied.
They went on chatting, their conversation meandering without any real purpose. As they talked, Christina’s eyelids grew heavy. Spending time with Dylan always left her feeling calm. At some point, she drifted off, unconsciously leaning in closer to Dylan, seeking a sense of comfort.
The moment Dylan noticed her leaning his way, he reached over to steady her and gently laid her head on his lap. With her resting quietly, he made sure to cradle her with both hands, ready to keep her safe if the car ever jolted or stopped suddenly.
During the ride back, Dylan hardly moved, keeping his arms around Christina and watching over her the entire way.
The driver, who had already witnessed Dylan’s concern for Christina before, checked the rearview mirror a few times, though the sight no longer caught him off guard like it once did. He figured it was obvious now. Christina would end up as the future lady of the Scott family. After all, nobody had ever seen Dylan act so attentive toward any woman before.
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Time seemed to stretch endlessly, and Dylan’s limbs began to tingle with numbness before the car finally stopped in the parking lot.
Moving carefully, Dylan lifted the sleeping Christina in his arms and walked toward the hospital. There was a check-up scheduled for the next day, and once that was over, she could be discharged.
As Dylan waited for the elevator, Christina shifted, curling in closer and mumbling softly against his chest.
Her movement stirred a warmth inside Dylan, and his stern expression softened. A heat rose to his ears. Normally, his face was all hard angles and chill, but now a gentle flush softened his features, making him look even more attractive than usual.
Completely unaware of her effect on him, Christina only burrowed further into his arms, her delicate features brushing against his shirt.
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