Spencer was looking through the ajar door and saw Cynthia lying on the bed, while Zachary leaned

closer. Then she hugged him and they kissed

Ahem. Someone coughed, and Spencer scurried away, though not without casting a death glare at

Ben. Ben only shrugged, and he went to close the door.

Their lips were about to touch, but Zachary instinctively pushed her away. He could pretend to be in a

relationship with Cynthia, provided there was no direct contact with her, as he would be repulsed by

any kind of skin contact.

Cynthia gesticulated, I didn't mean it. Someone was peeping on us, so I—'

"I know," Zachary interrupted. "It was Spencer."

Shocked, Cynthia bit her lip and nodded.

"Thank you.” Zachary left the bed. "Sleep tight."

Ben was waiting for him outside. "Mr. Spencer has gone back to his room," he reported once Zachary

came out.

Zachary closed the door, but instead of going back to his bedroom, he went to the study. Ben poured a

glass of wine for him. "You're pretending to be in a relationship with Ms. Cynthia so Mr. Henry will leave

you alone, aren't you?"

"You noticed too?" Zachary arched his eyebrow.

"I've been working for you for a long time now, so that much is obvious for me." Ben smiled. "The same

thing goes for Mr. Henry. You can't fool him with half-hearted acting."

Zachary frowned. True. I did tell him I'd try to date her, but if I don't go a mile further, that sly old fox

isn't gonna buy it.

"You might have to go to the extremes if you want Mr. Henry to leave you alone," Ben reminded him

carefully.

"What do you mean I have to be aggressive?" Zachary barked, "Insolence."

"My apologies, Sir.” Ben bowed.

Zachary glared at him, but Ben had a point. This is going to be a headache. I might have to turn to

extreme measures to make him leave. But I don't really want to do that. Maybe I can get away with it

without anyone noticing. After all, nobody's gonna know what we're doing behind closed doors.

"Good idea." Zachary squinted.

"But you'd have to make sure your kids don't bump into you guys when you're going at it," Ben

suggested. "Especially Robbie. He's really sensitive, and it's going to hurt your relationship with him if

he sees you getting intimate with Ms. Cynthia. That's probably why he ran away today."

"True." Zachary frowned and nodded. "That's important."

"So what will you do?"

"I'll be surveying Ashenville Garden for the next couple of days. Ask Cynthia whether she would like to

come with me tomorrow morning." Zachary wanted to 'get closer' with Cynthia while keeping his

children away from his business.

"I think she'll be delighted," Ben said. "But Mr.

Henry can't see what you're doing then." "He's no fool. I bet he'll have spies snooping around." Zachary

knew Henry well. "He'd probably check in on us too." "I see."

When they had breakfast the next morning, Ben asked Cynthia if she'd like to go with Zachary on a

stay in Ashenville Garden. Of course, Henry was there to listen in. Ben even told her the hot spring

there could help with her recovery.

Henry arched his eyebrow. "Go get some fresh air, Cynthia. Staying at home all the time isn't good for

your health."

'Okay!' Cynthia was still hesitant, but not after Henry encouraged her to go. She smiled. 'Thanks for

having me, Ben.'

"No prob. I'll tell Mr. Nacht about it, and Raina's going to go get prepared.

Ben was about to leave for the preparations, but Henry suddenly said, "I can't let her go alone. Take

Cain and Kyle with you."

Just as Mr. Nacht has predicted. "Of course," Ben obliged.