Florence glanced at the disheveled woman on the ground and casually took off her coat, tossing it onto her. She looked at Brother Wangford and said, "I might not be able to handle this if I hadn't encountered it, but since I have, it would be quite unethical not to intervene."
Brother Wangford gritted his teeth and looked at her coldly, "Lady, don't blame me for not giving you a kind reminder."
Florence ignored him, dialing a number, "Contact the restaurant's owner, tell them someone here is forcing prostitution, and let them call the police."
Brother Wangford was shocked, his face changing color, "What nonsense are you spouting!"
Florence put down her phone, her expression indifferent as she looked at him. "I don't know who the exact spokesperson for NQ is, but it certainly can't be Isabelle Sunworth. If you're planning to pull tricks to replace someone, we'll have to go through legal channels."
Brother Wangford felt a subtle unease in his heart, his expression gloomy as he left, cursing under his breath.
The terrace returned to silence, and the woman on the ground clutched the coat tightly, sobbing as she choked out her thanks.
Florence placed a pack of tissues beside her, "You might escape today, but not tomorrow. You need to think about an escape route for yourself, as you won't always find someone to help you."
The sound of high heels faded away, as Anyo looked up and saw the slender, yet strikingly beautiful, departing figure.
Lily Lancaster came to pick up Florence just in time to witness the scene. She followed, "Boss, is it true that a place as upscale as this has forced prostitution?"
Florence almost laughed, shaking her head helplessly, then remembered the pressing matter, "Tell Chloe Quinn about the spokesperson. Whoever she's decided on stays; there can't be any changes."
Lily nodded, "President Quinn has already made a decision. I'll inform her assistant again."
Florence nodded.
——
Gardiner Family Mansion.
It's rare to find someone who can own a private estate in such a prestigious area of SJ. She rarely visited the mansion except for family gatherings or work-related reasons, but she would always come whenever Old Mr. Gardiner called.
"The young mistress is back."
Florence handed her bag to the servant, changed her shoes, and walked into the living room. A tall man with long legs lounged on the sofa in casual sweats, cuddling a small dog. When he caught a glimpse of her, a playful look filled his brows, "Oh, Mrs. Gardiner, busy with work yet still finding time to visit the mansion, huh?"
"Where's Grandpa?"
Florence ignored his words.
Luke Gardiner cradled the dog in his arms and walked towards Florence, "Look, how about this?"
It was a corgi, not very big. Luke held it with one arm; its eyes were like black beans, moist, and its nose was also wet, looking adorably pitiful.
"Just average," Florence said, uninterested in the dog.
"Tsk..." Luke looked at the corgi in his hands and then leaned in to get a closer look at Florence, "Hmm, quite similar."
Florence glared at Luke and intended to go to the chess room to find Old Mr. Gardiner.
"Hey~ Lolo, look, your mom doesn't want you, and she's truly dog-like."
Florence turned around to Luke, "You seem to have a lot of free time."
"Lolo, let's not play with your mom." Luke held the corgi, speaking to himself but keeping his teasing gaze on Florence.
Florence looked at the small dog in his arms and walked over, "What's its name?"
"Lolo~" Luke stretched the word.
Florence noticed some dog snacks on the side table. She picked one up, looked at it, then offered it to the dog, watching its nose twitch as it took a bite and chewed. She gestured for Luke to give her the dog.
Luke thought she would make a snide remark, but she simply wanted to feed the dog, so he handed it over slowly.
Florence took the dog and walked to the open space in front, stepping back a few steps as she shook the snack in her hand, "Luke~ come here~ Mommy has treats."
The little corgi bounded joyfully towards the snack in Florence's hand, chomping away as if it were the most delicious treat.
Standing up, she looked at Luke, her eyes filled with triumphant satisfaction.
Luke sneered, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Florence sensed something amiss, seeing him stepping closer, she quickly turned to run. However, she only managed a couple of steps before being grabbed.
Struggling, Florence found herself firmly locked in Luke's embrace, "You want to be my mom again!"
"Let go of me!" Florence said discontentedly.
"Now you're scared? Too late!" Luke kept her tightly in his arms, but he overlooked his feet, allowing Florence to stomp hard on him.
The pain caused his grip to loosen, giving Florence a chance to run, but he swiftly caught her again.
They both stumbled onto the single sofa, with Luke pinning her beneath him, "Stepping on me again, Florence, is that your only move?"
"It's enough to deal with you," Florence, with her hands pinned, tried to kick him. This time, Luke reacted faster, straddling her legs, "You think I won't learn from experience, I..."
"Ahem, ahem, ahem!"
The abrupt sound echoed in the spacious living room, followed by the noise of a cane striking the floor. They turned to see Old Mr. Gardiner and Luke's parents watching them from not far away.
Noticing their position, Florence's face turned red in an instant.
Luke lowered his head, surprised to find the person beneath him blushing for the first time. He stood up slowly, pulling Florence into his arms, "Grandpa, you came back at such an inopportune time, I was just about to have an intense three-hundred rounds with your granddaughter-in-law... Ah!"
A sharp pain in his waist forced a grimace as Florence pinched and twisted his flesh.
Old Mr. Gardiner looked exasperated yet joyful, "It's only a few steps from here to your room, and there are so many servants in the living room."
Luke turned to look at Florence, who was now seated upright, with a tone of accusation in his voice, "Can't you be gentle... ow!"
He reclined against the sofa edge, blocking Florence from getting up. Even with so many people watching, this man showed no shame. She pushed Luke, but he didn't budge, frustrating her, "Move aside!"
"Alright." Grace Linney stepped forward, "You two stop messing around and go freshen up; dinner's almost ready."
Still unmoved, Luke seemed to be intentionally blocking Florence.
Florence raised her hand, and Luke quickly stood up, "Let's go, let's go, change clothes."
Florence passed by him, heading to the bathroom to tidy herself up.
During dinner, Old Mr. Gardiner appeared noticeably happier. He opened a bottle of wine for Luke and his father to sip on while they chatted, as Florence quietly ate her meal, listening to their conversation.
"Florence," Old Mr. Gardiner looked at her, "What do you think of that little dog? Do you like it?"
Florence's eyebrows twitched, "Huh? Is it for me?"