Chapter 24

Livia stood in front of the large wardrobe.

Her eyes remained fixed on it.

In awe.

The wardrobe was vast, neatly arranged with a modern design she had never even imagined before. It was completely different from the wooden wardrobe in her small room—old, slightly tilted, and with doors that had to be pulled carefully so they wouldn’t come off.

She swallowed softly.

“Can I try pressing it again… just to make sure the door really opens automatically?”

Adrian gave a short nod.

Without hesitation, Livia pressed the button again.

Click.

The door opened.

Her eyes lit up.

She moved to the next door. Pressed it again.

It opened.

And again.

And again.

Until every section of the wardrobe stood fully open.

Livia clapped her hands lightly.

“This is really cool!”

She even gave a thumbs-up, like a child discovering a new toy.

Adrian remained where he was.

Watching.

Silent.

Hadn’t he already given permission?

Livia pressed one of the buttons again.

The door closed.

Then opened it again.

“This one is for shirts, right…” she murmured, then closed it again.

She moved to another section.

As if exploring a new world.

“Livia.”

Adrian’s voice finally broke the moment.

Flat, but clearly carrying thinning patience.

“How long are you going to keep doing that? I want to take a bath.”

Livia let out a small laugh and quickly nodded.

“Yes, yes… sorry. What should I prepare?”

“A towel. Underwear. And my change of clothes.”

“Okay.”

Livia immediately gave a thumbs-up and started moving.

But—

instead of heading to the wardrobe—

she walked around the room.

Even crouching… to look under the bed.

Adrian frowned.

“Livia… what are you doing?”

His tone began to rise.

Livia looked at him, then chuckled awkwardly.

“I’m looking for the towel. Usually… people leave it carelessly, right? I thought maybe it was under the bed…”

Adrian closed his eyes briefly.

Took a deep breath.

Then exhaled slowly.

Patience.

He needed patience.

“The towel is in the dressing room.”

“Oh…”

Livia nodded.

“So… there’s a dressing room too?”

She paused.

“Where is it?”

Adrian pointed to one side of the wall.

Livia looked.

Empty.

Nothing there.

She frowned.

“There’s no door…”

Without a word, Adrian walked over and pressed a small panel on the wall.

Click.

A door opened automatically.

Revealing a spacious dressing room—complete with a large mirror, clothing racks, and neatly arranged perfumes and personal items.

Livia froze again.

“Wow…”

She stepped in slowly.

“This is really cool…”

Her eyes immediately found the neatly stacked towels.

She took one.

Then returned.

“This.”

Adrian took the towel, staring at her sharply.

“What else?”

Livia blinked.

“I already got the towel…”

“My bath water.”

“Oh.”

Livia nodded and walked into the bathroom.

As soon as the door opened—

she froze again.

The bathroom was…

huge.

Even bigger than her old bedroom.

“Wow…”

She stepped inside.

“Is this a bathroom… or another room?”

She stared at the large bathtub in amazement.

“You could turn this into a bedroom and it would still fit…”

She was truly stunned.

But after a moment—

confusion returned.

She saw the shower.

The faucet.

The bathtub.

But one question crossed her mind—

Isn’t it just a matter of turning it on?

Why does it need to be “prepared”?

Livia eventually stepped out.

“Done?” Adrian asked.

Livia smiled and nodded.

“You can just use the shower. Just turn it on.”

“I want to soak.”

“Oh…”

Livia nodded quickly.

“Alright.”

She went back in.

This time, she filled the bathtub with water.

Then came out again.

“Done.”

Adrian walked into the bathroom.

But the moment he dipped his foot—

he immediately pulled it back.

Cold.

Very cold.

“Livia!”

He called out, clearly losing patience.

Livia came over calmly.

“What is it?”

“What kind of water did you prepare?”

Livia blinked.

“Water… just normal water. I filled it up. You can just soak.”

She even added casually,

“But I think… it’s better not to soak. It’s cold, and the water is cold too. It’s better to just take a quick bath. Or just wash your face and brush your teeth—that’s already healthy.”

Adrian stared at her in disbelief.

“Are you crazy?”

Livia immediately shook her head.

“No. I’m perfectly sane. You’re the strange one. It’s already cold, and you still want to soak.”

Adrian took another deep breath.

Holding himself back.

“There is hot water in this house.”

His voice was controlled.

“You just turn the hot water tap, mix it with cold water until the temperature is right. Then stop. That’s it.”

He stared at Livia sharply.

Honestly…

who was torturing whom here?

Livia suddenly burst into laughter.

“Oh right… I forgot.”

She lightly patted Adrian’s shoulder.

“You’re very rich. Of course you have a water heater.”

Her gesture was casual.

Fearless.

Adrian went silent for a moment.

Strange.

This woman…

was strange.

Livia went back into the bathroom and started mixing hot water.

Adrian just stood there, watching her.

Silent.

After she finished, Livia stepped out again.

“It’s ready, Mr. Adrian.”

She gave a slight bow, gesturing politely.

“Please, go ahead.”

Adrian let out a breath.

“Add lavender liquid.”

“Oh.”

Livia nodded and went back in.

She looked at the row of bottles and picked the purple one.

Reading it slowly,

“Lavender…”

She dropped a little.

“One… two… three…”

Then stopped.

“Is that enough?”

Adrian looked at her flatly.

“Where is your logic? That much water and only three drops?”

Livia blinked.

“So… how much?”

With what was left of his patience, Adrian explained the proper amount.

Livia listened carefully.

Then adjusted it as instructed.

After finishing—

she stepped out.

Adrian finally got into the bathtub.

The warm water touched his skin.

He closed his eyes.

Trying to ease the tension building in his head.

But—

strangely—

what appeared in his mind

was not calmness.

It was Livia’s face.

That strange woman.

Innocent.

And… troublesome.

But how could he possibly remain patient dealing with her?