Love's Redemption

I checked my calendar and realized that Zack's birthday was in three days.

It wouldn't be appropriate to bring up this matter on his birthday. I didn't want to dampen his celebration. So, I decided to deliver the gift early to ensure I wouldn't have to go on his actual birthday.

However, before I could take action, Conrad came to find me.

I hadn't seen him since we left the amusement park, and I almost didn't recognize him at first glance.

"Have I changed so much that you can't recognize me?" Conrad joked.

Seeing him like this reminded me of Brandon, and I smiled faintly. "If your mom saw you like this, she would definitely be worried."

"No, she said I look more manly now," Conrad said, trying to make me laugh again.

I pressed my lips together. "Indeed, you do look more masculine."

Conrad touched his face. "I think so too."

Despite his efforts to lighten the mood, I still didn't know how to respond after he spoke.

Thinking about my plan to visit Zack, I asked him, "How have Bree and Zack been lately?"

"They miss you a lot." Conrad's words stung my heart.

I used to go to the Gildon estate every day after work, and they saw me daily. But since I moved out, I hadn't visited even once.

"I'm planning to visit them today," I said and paused for a moment. "I need to discuss something with Zack."

Conrad looked at me in confusion. I understood what he wanted to know, and I saw no reason to hide it from him. "Chris has been aggressively undermining the company I joined, even to the extent of poaching clients."

Conrad didn't look surprised. It was clear he already knew.

Sure enough, in the next moment, he said, "I've already told my Dad about this, and he's adamantly against your resignation."

Seeing no response from me, Conrad continued, "I'm here today as a messenger for my Dad. Maddie... please come back to the company." Facing his serious expression, I couldn't help but smile. "If you fail your mission today, will Zack beat you?"

I remembered that in my third year living with the Gildon family, Zack had assigned Conrad a task, which he didn't complete well. When he returned, Zack kicked him twice.

I remembered that incident vividly. It was the first time I saw Zack hit someone, and he did it so fiercely.

Conrad didn't react at the time. He didn't cry or explain himself. But when he saw me, I noticed the embarrassed flush on his face.

That's when I realized I should have hidden away to spare him the embarrassment.

"Are you making fun of me?" Conrad smiled, perhaps recalling the same memory.Belongs to © n0velDrama.Org.

"No, I..." I started to deny and explain.

But before I could finish, Conrad interrupted, "But I'm not here to persuade you today, even if it means getting beaten when I go back."

Huh?

I looked at Conrad in confusion. He

pursed his thin lips slightly. "I understand why you left and why you even gave up your cherished amusement park. How could I force you to go back?"

Conrad smiled. He looked as radiant as a young boy. "Besides, I know you wouldn't return even if I asked, so I won't say anything to avoid embarrassing myself."

He truly understood me.

Before Conrad left, I enjoyed my time at the Gildon estate more with him than with Chris.

Chris was kind to me but

occasionally played pranks to scare

me, whereas Conrad never did that. He always protected me and even scolded Chris for frightening me more than once.

He was like a real brother to me.

"Does Zack also support Chris' antics?" Since he mentioned that Zack knew about Chris' madness, I asked directly. "No, my Dad scolded him and warned that if he acted out again, he'd be kicked out," Conrad replied. I believed him.