Chapter 10

Leon let his imagination run wild for a moment but quickly brought himself back to reality. He walked over to Iris and gently pulled her arm, whispering, "Don't worry about her, Iris. I'm used to this kind of treatment anyway..." Iris felt a pang in her heart. She sensed the bitterness and helplessness in Leon's words, along with a subtle hint of his insecurities. "Miss Young, this is entirely Cheryl's fault. I will handle her appropriately and ensure she learns from her mistakes. Please consider giving her another chance," Wendell pleaded sincerely. His growing animosity towards Cheryl became evident. He knew he had to prevent her from causing more trouble in the future. While she may have been spared on this occasion, allowing her to continue with her mischief would eventually lead to his own downfall. "Get up! Since my friend has chosen to forgive you, I will give you one more chance. I hope you'll learn to improve your behavior in the future!" Iris snorted coldly. She had the capacity to forgive when the situation called for it. After all, she disliked using her status to oppress others and had no desire to engage in arguments with insignificant individuals. "Thank you, Miss Young. Thank you, Sir..." Cheryl finally found the courage to stand up, though her clothes were already drenched in cold sweat. Many of the guests became alarmed. Upon realizing that the noble and beautiful woman before them was Iris, their eyes sparkled with surprise and admiration. Some discreetly took out their cell phones, hoping to capture Iris's beauty in photographs. "Let's go, Leon..." Iris quickly realized that something was amiss and promptly pulled Leon out of the hotel. Hotels could be tricky places, as it would be inappropriate to book a room with Leon. Any misunderstandings or rumors that may arise would be detrimental to both of them. While Iris had a clear conscience and nothing to fear, many of her suitors were from influential and affluent families. A misunderstanding of this nature could easily cause unnecessary trouble for Leon. That was the last thing Iris wanted. ... Dragonbay Villas was renowned as one of the most upscale and prestigious residential areas in Springfield City. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, it boasted breathtaking scenery. Only the wealthy and famous, the muses of business tycoons, and those whose reputations were synonymous with elegance and luxury could afford to live there. Iris purchased two sets of high-end clothing for Leon from a nearby mall before returning to her villa with him. "I don't think it's wise to book a hotel room for you to stay in. You can stay at my place for a few days, and tomorrow I'll help you find a rental house. Once all the formalities are taken care of, you can move into your new home," Iris said, her cheeks slightly flushed. As someone who valued her chastity, she had never allowed a member of the opposite gender into her residence, let alone invited them to stay overnight. However, she made an exception in this case to express her gratitude to Leon for saving her life. Of course, her trust in Leon stemmed from the fact that he had shown integrity by saving her. It convinced her that he was a good person. "Thank you, but you don't have to buy me a house..." Leon waved his hands. He quickly realized that his words could be misinterpreted to mean that he wanted to stay at Iris's house indefinitely. "That's not what I meant... What I meant was that I would be grateful if you could help me find a place to rent. Once I've earned some money, I'll repay you for the rent you paid," Leon said with an awkward smile. Iris returned his smile and didn't take his words to heart. She took out his ID card and handed it back to him, saying, "Here's your ID card. My men found it in the garbage dump, and it made me wonder how it ended up there in the first place." "You're a lifesaver!" Leon's face lit up as he took the ID card. Though he had no money at the moment, having his ID card meant he could find a job as soon as possible to meet his basic needs. A tinge of embarrassment washed over Leon as he recollected how his ID card had ended up in the garbage dump. He chose not to delve into the pitiful details of his married life, sparing Iris from the full explanation.