Chapter 34 Smeared Again Gideon accepted the gift and stepped inside . This house was different from theirs . It was much more spacious and luxurious . Nancy knew it wasn't right to peek , but she couldn't help but feel curious about how far things had progressed between Winter and Gideon . She walked toward a window and saw Gideon sitting on the couch through a narrow gap . He removed his jacket , and his long fingers deftly loosened his tie . That was the tie she had given him . Just as she had imagined , it looked incredibly handsome and elegant on him . With a single tug , the top button of his shirt came undone , revealing a sculpted collarbone . He glanced down at his phone , seemingly making a call , while the gift box remained untouched on the table . " Come by in the morning . There's a gift box in the room . Return it to Winter . " Gideon's cold voice echoed in Nancy's ears . She glanced at the beautifully wrapped box , realizing Winter's feelings might be unrequited . After ending the call , Gideon loosened his tie and began unbuttoning his shirt . As the shirt slipped down , his tanned skin was revealed . Nancy gazed down and saw his broad , sculpted chest and defined eight - pack . His physique was truly breathtaking . Nancy found herself momentarily mesmerized . Snapping back to reality , she quickly looked away . What was she doing ? She must have seemed like a Peeping Tom . " Aren't you coming in? " Gideon's serious , deep voice snapped her out of her thoughts . Nancy hesitated , then turned back to see him approaching the window with a half - smile on his face . Nancy immediately felt a pang of guilt . This was the first time in her life she'd ever eavesdropped , and now she'd been caught . Quickly composing herself , she smiled . " I was just passing by and didn't expect to run into you . What a coincidence . " Gideon's lips curled into a sly , alluring smirk , his deep - set eyes gleaming . " A coincidence indeed . Since fate has brought us together , would you care to join me for a cup of coffee ? " " Sure . " Walking away now would only make her seem more suspicious , so Nancy accepted . She stepped into the living room and settled onto a solid wood couch . Gideon brewed a pot of coffee , the fragrant aroma filling the room . He looked mysterious yet graceful . Nancy brought the cup to her lips and enjoyed the scent Chapter 34 Smeared Again 2/2 Outside the window , the tranquil mountain view stretched endlessly , and her mind drifted into a peaceful blank . " Did you come here to celebrate your birthday ? " The silence grew too heavy , so Nancy broke it by starting a conversation . Gideon replied , " No , I haven't celebrated my birthday in a long time . " Nancy frowned . " Why not ? " As the head of the Fuller family , his birthday should have been a grand occasion . Her own cousin , for example , made sure everyone knew about his birthday every single year . Gideon held his cup delicately between his long , slender fingers , his gaze lowered . A subtle emotion flitted across his face as he said softly , " It's nothing . I just don't like celebrating my birthday ." Seeing the expression on his face , Nancy knew this wasn't a topic to linger on . " The night air is lovely . Would you like to go for a walk ? " " Sure , " Gideon replied , his deep - set eyes beaming . Outside , the air was crisp . Nancy stretched , feeling refreshed until she almost stumbled over a stone . In an instant , Gideon placed his arm around her waist , lifting her effortlessly off the ground . Her cheeks flushed with heat . How could he be so strong ? " Careful , Nancy , " he murmured , his warm breath brushing against her ear as she regained her footing . Nancy quickly stepped back , creating some space between them . " I'll be more careful ! " They resumed their walk , chatting as they went . In a room nearby , Alex suddenly heard a familiar voice . He moved instinctively toward the window but could only make out two blurred figures . " Alex , what are you staring at ? " Raine asked , slipping her arm through his , her chest pressing against his side . " You never told me , " Alex said quietly . " What's your relationship with that woman ? " " Oh , Alex , she's so disloyal ! " Raine sighed , repeating the story she had already told Rebecca . " Mom and Dad have treated her so well , but she's never satisfied and keeps trying to hurt me . I'm really scared , Alex "