“Coming, coming—what’s the rush?” Madeline called, hurrying over to help.Stanley followed right behind.After a flurry of trips back and forth, they finally managed to cram all the things Neil and Madeline had prepared into the car. When everything was done, Joseph washed his hands and stepped out.“Uncle, Auntie—big brother, sis-in-law. It’s nearly four. We should get going,” he said.“Alright. In that case, we won’t keep you,” Madeline replied, reluctant to see them go.“Joseph, drive slow, you hear? No need to rush—you’ve got time,” Stanley added.“Brother-in-law, Mason, we’ll come to Nova City in a while,” Neil said, clapping Joseph on the shoulder. “We’ll look you up, take you out to eat. And of course, we’ll treat Mr. Dristan too.”“Sounds good,” Joseph said.After a few more pleasantries, he climbed into the car and pulled away.“We’re on vacation anyway—why couldn’t they stay a few more days?” Madeline murmured, watching the car shrink into the distance.“Don’t assume. They m

Before long, Mason Alvarez had all but dragged Joseph into the villa.Once inside, she shut the door behind them with a decisive click.“Professor Alvarez, could you not be so impatient?”“We messed around half the night. You’re not planning to take a break? Are you trying to kill yourself?”Joseph sounded exasperated.“What’s running through that head of yours?”“I just want you to see whether my figure has improved.”Mason shot him a glare.“Just look?”“Of course. What else did you think I meant?”As she spoke, she shrugged off the outer shirt she’d been wearing. Underneath was a fitted T-shirt that clung to her like a second skin. With the overshirt gone, the lines of her body were on full display—the tee was so tight it carved out every curve.Just a glance was enough to set the blood racing.“Well? Doesn’t it look better than before? Aren’t the proportions nicer?”She turned a slow circle in front of him, as if preening.“You hauled me in here just to look at this? Don’t you hav