Two Reborn, One Throne novel Chapter 172

The car drove off.

Arthur stood frozen in place while neighbors, who had witnessed the entire scene from afar, ran over, practically bursting with gossip.

"Arthur, who just came to pick up Amber?"

"Judging by his clothes, his aura, and the way he spoke, that was definitely a driver for a very wealthy family."

"Arthur, did Amber snag a billionaire?"

"Oh man, Arthur, don't forget us little guys when you strike it rich!"

Arthur wanted to know just as badly.

Mr. Madison? Which Mr. Madison? The one from the sponsorship program?

Sharif hadn't slept well the night before. Whether it was because he had suddenly returned to Harbor Heights to rest, or because Amber was coming over today, he ended up waking up right at eight o'clock.

A black-and-white fluffy cat was draped over his stomach, intentionally trying to force him out of bed to feed it.

Sharif lounged in bed for over an hour before finally getting up.

He showered first, then brewed himself some coffee.

Amber was right when she said he knew how to cook. Over the years, aside from working tirelessly to save the Madison Group, he had mostly taken care of himself.

The weather was gorgeous. His smart-home system drew back the curtains, revealing a sweeping, open view that instantly lifted his mood.

Sharif stood in his bathrobe, a hair-drying towel wrapped around his head, looking utterly lazy and casually elegant.

Ding.

A message came through. Sharif walked back to his bedroom and picked up his phone.

[Ms. Newman has been safely dropped off.]

It was from Lyle.

Sharif: "?"

Did he ever tell Lyle to go pick up the little fox?

Ding dong.

The doorbell rang.

Even though both Amber and Lyle knew the passcode, there were two issues: first, Amber wasn't entirely sure if the passcode for Harbor Heights was still the same one from ten years ago; second, since Lyle had already taken the liberty of picking her up, opening the door unannounced would just be asking to get yelled at. So, they both politely rang the bell.

Sharif shuffled out of his bedroom in his slippers. Amber, wearing a pink hoodie and her hair pulled up into a high ponytail, stood at the entrance of the villa holding bags of groceries.

He tapped a few buttons on his phone, and as Amber heard the door unlock, Sharif set down his coffee and phone, swapping his bathrobe for a pink striped silk shirt and beige trousers.

On the night Lucian murdered her, Shep had tried to protect her.

At this point in time, the cat hadn't fully grown yet, and wasn't nearly as chubby as she had eventually made him. He was full of life and charm. And just as she was suppressing her desire to hold him, the cat actually bounded straight toward her.

Sharif froze in his tracks. This fluffy feline was something his mother and sister-in-law had gotten for him three months ago, claiming it would bring him luck in love.

But despite its adorable looks, the cat completely ignored everyone—even the mother and sister-in-law who brought it. It never initiated affection with anyone but him.

Yet, on Amber's very first visit, this arrogant little lord literally leapt onto her shoulder. Watching Amber and the cat affectionately rub cheeks, Sharif genuinely suspected his haughty pet had been possessed.

Amber was just as shocked. She hadn't expected Shep to be exactly like he was in her past life—drawn to her instantly.

She had named him Shep for two reasons. First, Sharif was lazy and just called him "Cat," which she found pathetic. Second, after she took over caring for him, she wanted to annoy Sharif.

Whenever Sharif irritated her, Amber would boss the cat around. For instance: 'Shep, go get mommy a towel,' or 'Shep, come beg for treats,' along with an assortment of other petty games.

In her past life, Sharif definitely caught onto this but surprisingly never threw a tantrum. Once, Amber thought she was totally dead meat, but Sharif just brushed it off and officially gave the cat to her, saying that since she named it and it clung to her, it was hers.

He accepted no arguments.

Back then, Amber was torn between wanting to get back at Sharif and just wanting to boss the cat around the way Sharif bossed her.

On the day she quit, Amber had offered to give the cat back, but he didn't say a word—he just told her to get out. Over time, the memory faded, but she likely figured he wouldn't approve the return anyway, so she just kept taking care of it.