Tangled in His Obsession (Seraphina)

Chapter 431

When Andrea spoke those words, a frown creased Seraphina’s face.

“Just go then,” Seraphina said with a scowl. “And if you leave, don’t bother coming back to us.”

Although Valerio was exceptionally good at adapting to new surroundings, the sight of someone from his past brought a unique sense of security. So when he heard Andrea was leaving, he immediately stood up and reached out to take her hand.

“Auntie Andrea…” he whispered, his eyes shimmering like pools of clear water, his expression the epitome of forlorn.

Andrea found it so hard to leave him. She paused, then silently nodded in agreement.

Andrea might have agreed to stay for dinner, but she hardly exchanged a word with Herman, sticking close to Valerio instead, showing him the clothes and gifts she had brought for him.

Herman sat quietly to the side, his gaze almost unabashedly fixed on Andrea. And yet, Andrea didn’t so much as glance his way.

Clearly agitated, Herman couldn’t help but step outside to light up a cigarette.

Seraphina had just been over at the neighbor’s for a visit and caught sight of him standing at the door, smoking, his brows deeply furrowed.

The sight made Seraphina smirk. Herman caught her schadenfreude and shot her a glare.

“Oh, glaring at me now?” Seraphina teased. “You really ought to be thanking me, you know. If my son and I hadn’t intervened, do you honestly believe Andrea would have stuck around?”

Herman responded without a change in his frosty demeanor.

Seraphina snorted. “Fine, maybe I got it wrong. Maybe you don’t want her to stay? I can go and send her on her way right now if that’s what you want.”

Herman reached out and grabbed her arm at those words, and Seraphina couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s the deal?” Seraphina asked. “Is there something going on between you two that I don’t know about? I remember you weren’t too fond of her before. Did you chase her all the way to Summitville this time?”

“I told you, I’m here on business,” Herman said.

“Sure, keep playing tough,” Seraphina replied. “If you’re not going to open up, don’t blame me when I don’t help you out.”

She turned to head inside, but Herman grabbed her again.

Seraphina thought he might finally have something to say, but Herman instead asked, “Why does Valerio call her ‘Auntie’?”

Seraphina stopped short, then finally said, “She’s close to me, so my son calls her whatever he likes. Why, is that your business too?”

“Is she as close as Sandra Smith was to you?” Herman pressed.

Seraphina huffed and crossed her arms, offering no reply.

With Herman’s detective instincts, it was telling that he only now sensed something amiss, which spoke volumes of his previous disdain for Andrea.

profound his disdain had been, the more interesting his current

need to get worked up,” Seraphina said.

silently for a

this stage, the exact nature of Seraphina and Andrea’s relationship wasn’t of any real consequence to

was focused on

the door opened, and Andrea emerged with Valerio, looking calmly at

well then, let’s get going,” Seraphina announced

Herman gave

look, still without

Valerio around, the meal passed without Herman getting a chance to speak to Andrea privately. And Seraphina, oblivious to any inconvenience she might be causing, chatted away with Andrea, almost completely ignoring

they were ready to leave that Seraphina seemed to remember her good conscience, suggesting to Andrea, “Don’t you have to get back to work? Let Herman give you

disinterested until now, suddenly perked up at this

Herman is here on

firm, “My grandfather’s house is actually in Summitville. I

Andrea stiffened slightly.

and if you’re free in the evening, bring her over to my place. We can have dinner together

simply, “Let’s go.

say anything. She got up and left with

expression one of someone enjoying a

like Auntie Andrea?” Valerio asked, looking up at her.

they liked each other or not, she wasn’t sure. But there was

and she saw no reason

she’d just have to wait for one of them

granddad’s hometown, and he had grown up there, which meant he knew every corner of the town center like

of his hand.

passenger seat of his car, watching him navigate the familiar streets with ease, yet she

11:42

Chapter 431

the stifling silence, Herman finally couldn’t stand it any longer and spoke up to break

Andrea’s eyes. “I’ve already told you, but you just

of

of emotions, then he challenged, “How do you

replied. “It’s a classic, loved by many, including me. Just

been avoiding

helplessness. “Because I know my place, Mr. Herman. I’m well aware of how you feel about me.

words, then added, “I don’t dislike

flatly. “Well, that’s

He was about to give up on the conversation when, moments later, he involuntarily asked, “Was it

Andrea’s answer was

a red light, and Herman turned to look at her for a long while, finally nodding slowly,

more, asked no more, and drove in silence to

seatbelt, turned to him with a “Thanks,” and stepped