the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart
Chapter 227 The man coldly threatened: Move again, and I will kiss you.

Chapter 227: Chapter 227 The man coldly threatened: Move again, and I will kiss you.

"What exactly do you mean by ’serious’?" Ignatius Leclair’s phoenix-like eyes slightly lowered as he asked Richard Shaw nonchalantly.

Richard Shaw was momentarily stumped by his question. He pushed over a freshly brewed cup of tea and replied flatly, "Your grandmother has always hoped you would marry and have children early. Being ’serious’ means you’re ready to take this young lady home and have kids with her."

Richard Shaw scoffed, lifting his gaze to glance at Delphine Carter descending from the stairs. She had changed into a loose-fitting, pale beige outfit—a lotus pink knitted sweater paired with beige pants, her slender, fair ankles exposed, delicate like budding flowers.

"I don’t believe in marriage," Ignatius Leclair said methodically, spitting out a name that everyone in the Imperial City feared to mention. "Back then, you weren’t serious either, but didn’t you still marry Crystal Landon?" His hatred for that name was evident in every word.

Richard Shaw’s marriage had been extremely understated. When he married Crystal Landon, the circumstances were steeped in secrecy. There were no grand public celebrations, and even afterwards, the only person he informed was Ignatius Leclair.

At the time, Ignatius was busy caring for his critically ill mother. He only learned that Richard, under some insurmountable pressure, had married the little delinquent he’d met just once in childhood. By the time the dust settled, Ignatius had already returned to South Asia.

With Richard Shaw’s marriage on the verge of collapse, Ignatius had no interest in meeting his friend’s estranged wife.

Upon hearing Crystal Landon’s name, the string on Richard Shaw’s Buddha Beads suddenly snapped, and the dark, glossy beads rolled across the floor. The veins on the back of his hand stood out sharply, a flash of concealed pain and sorrow flickering in his eyes. He leaned over to pick up the scattered beads.

Though physically tall and imposing, his immobility in the wheelchair made collecting the small, bean-sized beads nearly impossible.

Seeing this, Ignatius Leclair’s expression shifted unpredictably, and his hand knocked his teacup forcefully against the table.

"Stop picking them up. It’s been years—if it was a dream, it’s long overdue to wake up."

Delphine overheard the commotion. Upon seeing Richard Shaw dangerously leaning forward to retrieve the beads, while Ignatius Leclair sat motionless like a mountain, her expression changed slightly. She hurried inside, helping Richard Shaw upright while scolding, "Why are you losing your temper out of nowhere?"

Noticing the beads scattered all over the floor, Delphine immediately understood. She crouched down, picking them up one by one. Although it was her first time meeting Richard Shaw, she could see from his every gesture a sorrow that had accumulated over many years. Such a remarkable man, born into prestige, now trapped in a wheelchair—she couldn’t bear the cruelty of this world. It reminded her of her own tragedies.

Ignatius Leclair fumed at her rebuke, his face turning ashen. Watching her pick up the beads, his anger deepened. An ungrateful little wretch—last night, he should’ve taught her properly who her man was.

Richard Shaw, too, was momentarily startled. He unconsciously straightened his back and murmured a low thanks, "Thank you, Miss Carter."

"Are there 108 beads?" Delphine looked around the tea room, ensuring no beads were left on the floor before asking Richard.

Richard counted them twice, nodding in confirmation.

Looking at his handsome, solemn face, Delphine spoke uneasily, "I know those who are devout Buddhists usually dislike others handling their beads. It was presumptuous of me. But, Mr. Shaw, you should remain cautious for now. Buddha Beads are believed to have a spirit—they don’t break without reason."

"Too much bloodshed over the years," Richard said, offering a simple explanation. "These beads are merely external objects used to calm the Heart Realm."

Delphine was about to say more when Ignatius grabbed her arm and yanked her into his embrace. Her face instantly flushed red as she tried to push him away, but his muscular arms were unyielding.

"Move again, and I’ll kiss you," Ignatius warned coldly, his face darkening.

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