Gavin’s stern expression softened, and the tension in his brow eased. He nodded with satisfaction before saying in a low, commanding tone, “If you’re happy, then what should you do?” Liza blinked in confusion. “Huh?” She tilted her head slightly, her puzzlement evident. “Uh… say thank you?” she offered hesitantly. Gavin’s frown deepened, clearly unsatisfied with her response. He had recently taken Oliver’s advice to heart—that a woman might express her gratitude to her lover with a kiss. If that were the case, shouldn’t Liza now lean in to kiss him? Gavin straightened his posture, attempting to appear calm, but his eyes betrayed his anticipation. “Yes,” he said, his voice steady. “And then?” Liza looked at him, her brows furrowing. “And then?” she repeated, her voice faltering. “Then… I guess I’d kiss you?”Her mind raced as she tried to decipher his intent. What’s going on with Gavin? Could he really be influenced by Oliver? What kind of idea has taken root in his mind? Gavin, able to hear her thoughts, frowned slightly. She didn’t seem to like Oliver’s suggestion. A moment later, her inner voice continued, and Gavin’s ears picked up her skepticism. Wait a minute. He’s not seriously asking me to kiss him, is he? Since when did my senior turn into such a… well, such a lustful man? Gavin felt his cheeks warm. He coughed lightly to disguise the color rising to his face, trying to mask his embarrassment. In his calmest voice, he said, “What do you think?” Liza scoffed inwardly. Ha! If you want a kiss, just say so. Why are you being so cryptic about it? Gavin smirked. He found her internal grumbling amusing and was glad she seemed at least somewhat willing to kiss him.But then, Liza’s thoughts shifted sharply. Wait, why should I even thank him? If you think about it, it’s his fault this mess even started! Alora acted because of her feelings for him, and James followed suit for Alora. Gavin’s the reason this all happened in the first place! It’s only fair he cleans up his own mess! Gavin’s smile disappeared, his moment of satisfaction deflating as her internal logic cut through his self-assurance. Liza, her earlier gratitude evaporating, stood straighter. She quickly muttered, “I just remembered—I feel like swimming! I’ll go change!” With that, she darted off, leaving Gavin standing there. Meanwhile, Oliver, who had been quietly observing from the shadows, covered his face in exasperation. Oh no, secondhand embarrassment is real! “President, what are you doing? Go after her! Drag her back and kiss her already! Be bold and decisive! Young Madam will totally fall for your assertiveness! Why are you just standing there like that?—Wait, President! Where are you going? That’s the wrong way!” But Gavin had already turned and ascended the stairs, ignoring Oliver’s panicked advice. His calm demeanor remained unshaken, though the encounter had clearly left him with something to reflect on. Gavin stepped into the cloakroom and opened the wardrobe. His gaze landed on the swimsuit he had purchased for Liza. He reached out to touch the delicate fabric, his eyes narrowing slightly as he noted how little material it contained. Just then, Oliver came rushing after him. “President, what are you doing? Why are you here instead of—” “Shut up. Speak one more word, and you’ll lose your salary,”George interrupted firmly, giving his younger brother a sharp look. Oliver huffed indignantly. “I’m only doing this for the president’s sake! I don’t care if my salary gets docked—he’ll realize my brilliance eventually!” George sighed and shook his head. This fool.Meanwhile, Gavin pulled the swimsuit off the rack and studied it with a scrutinizing gaze. The small amount of fabric made his expression darken. Who designed something like this? In another room, Liza was browsing through her wardrobe, searching for a suitable swimsuit. Suddenly, a deep male voice sounded from the door. “Are you sure you want to swim?” Without turning around, Liza replied casually, “What’s wrong with swimming?” She had always wanted to try out the large pool in the backyard of Longwan Residential, and the weather today seemed perfect for it. Gavin leaned against the doorframe, his sharp eyes observing her. His voice carried a hint of concern. “I remember you’re afraid of water.” Her hand froze mid-motion. He was right—she had been afraid of water. The memory hit her like a wave: Serena pushing her into a lake, her limbs flailing as she struggled to breathe, the icy water pulling her under. For years, the terror of that moment had haunted her. The suffocating sensation, the helplessness, and the mocking laughter of Serena standing on the shore were etched into her mind. Even as time passed, the trauma lingered, manifesting in small ways. She avoided using too much water when bathing and felt uneasy near lakes or pools. Her grandfather and brothers had asked about her reluctance to learn how to swim, but she brushed them off with vague excuses. Only her senior knew the truth. She had confided in him about her childhood trauma, the recurring nightmares, and her overwhelming fear. It was her senior who encouraged her to confront her fears. “The only way to overcome fear is to face it head-on,” he had told her. His words gave her the strength to try, even when her body trembled with fear. Bit by bit, she forced herself to adapt. Eventually, she managed to enter the water without panicking. Not long after, she discovered she enjoyed swimming—it became a symbol of her triumph over the past. Snapped back to reality, Liza remained silent, her thoughts a swirl of memories. Gavin approached her and gently stroked her head, his touch grounding her. Without a word, he handed her two elegant bags. His ears reddened slightly, betraying the calm demeanor he tried to maintain. To avoid her noticing, he quickly averted his gaze, pretending to focus on something else in the room. His actions, however subtle, carried a quiet tenderness that lingered in the air.