Chapter 23 As he looked up , his gaze inadvertently fell upon the crape myrtles blooming in the courtyard of the neighboring villa . He couldn't help but exclaim , " Wow , our neighbor's crape myrtles are absolutely stunning ! " Hearing this , Yvette turned to look - and instantly , her breath caught . She had never seen so many crape myrtle blossoms before . They draped every branch , layer upon layer , clustering as densely as clouds . When the faintly cool spring breeze drifted past , petals swirled through the air like falling snow or gentle rain . They even added brilliance to the spring scenery . Seeing her expression . Roderick knew she must love them . After all , she had always appreciated beautiful things since childhood . " Wait here . " He glanced at the courtyard wall , took a few steps back , bent his knees , and suddenly sprinted forward . In one swift motion , he leaped up , scaled the wall , snapped off a few flowering branches , and dropped back down . Handing them to her , he said , " For you . " Her eyes widened in shock , and she stood completely still . He couldn't help but flash a proud grin . " Well ? What do you think ? Pretty impressive , right ? You have no idea how stingy our neighbor is . Every year his flowers bloom like this- absolutely gorgeous - but he never lets anyone in to pick even one . So , since you like them so much ... this was the only way . " Through the lattice fence , Yvette caught sight of someone standing on the other side . She tried her best to keep a polite smile on her face . " Hello . " The young man smiled back . It was the same person she had encountered that morning . He was slender and handsome , with a calm and elegant demeanor that reminded her of the crape myrtle blossoms themselves - quiet , refined , and slightly aloof . " Hello , " he said . Roderick turned around in a daze and looked over . Instantly , his expression changed dramatically . He leaped up and fled as fast as he could . 06:43 Chapter 23 288 ( Vouchers He had always been so fearless , and this was the first time Yvette had ever seen him so flustered and terrified , like a mouse spotting a cat . Just then , the young man spoke . His voice was mellow , deep , and carried a chill like winter snow . " Do you like crape myrtles ? Would you like to come inside and pick some ? " Snapping out of it , she smiled , " Yes . Thank you . " Roderick had stolen from him and run away - she couldn't do the same . Left with no choice , she decided to approach , both to apologize and to enjoy the flowers while she was at it . Yvette arrived with a box of brownies , rich , fudgy , and topped with subtle swirls of salted caramel and crushed walnuts . Each piece was generously sized , yet elegantly made , ideal for sharing over coffee during a casual gathering . Not long after Yvette left , Raymond entered the kitchen . " What ? Ms. Hawley took a box of brownies next door to the Fleming's villa ? " Raymond scratched his head . " But I heard from their butler , Darrell , that Mr. Fleming never cats brownies . The cook's face fell . " Oh no , really ? That household isn't known for being warm . They wouldn't embarrass Ms. Hawley , would they ? Ms. Padilla had a rather awkward time there last time she visited . " Raymond's heart sank , and he hurried out . Meanwhile , Yvette had already entered the Fleming family's garden . It was a bright spring day , and the blossoms were in full , spectacular bloom . The traditional garden was meticulously designed , with a new vista at every turn , clearly reflecting the owner's careful attention . A tall , elegant young man stood under a crape myrtle , looking up at the sky . The hand resting on the tree trunk was slender , his wrist bone pronounced , his skin smooth and fair . Hearing her approach , he turned and nodded to Yvette with a slight smile . Only then did Yvette notice the pruning shears in his other hand and the few cut branches of crape myrtle blooms on the stone table nearby . He had been trimming the tree . 06 43 Chapter 23 288 ( Vouchers The elderly butler who had let her in smiled . " Mr. Fleming , Ms. Hawley is here . She's brought you some pastries . " The butler directly opened the food box and arranged the brownies on a plate . He brought out some cups , skillfully preparing coffee as he said , " Ms. Hawley , please stay for a cup of coffee . " Evander had finished wrapping the cut blossoms . " These are for you . If it's not enough , I can cut some more later . " Yvette was taken aback . He had already prepared two large bundles . " That's more than enough , thank you . " 016