Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

Nathan: "Hey, Master! The racing assessment is done. When are you free? I can swing by and pick you up. How about tomorrow?" Flora: "I'm busy."

Nathan: "..."

Nathan: "Alright, so when will you be free?"

Flora almost said she'd never have time, but held back, not wanting to crush the old man's spirits. After thinking it over, she replied, "The day after tomorrow." She genuinely couldn't make it tomorrow. Adrian and his rowdy gang were determined to hit up the underground scene and were dragging her along for the ride. They insisted they had to celebrate their victory.

Nathan was as happy as a kid when Flora finally agreed. The butler watched, shaking his head with a sigh. The head of the house was really something else...

Nathan had spent his life without a wife or kids, pouring his heart into the art of perfumery. These kids from the Neville family? All adopted by him. So, even at his age, Nathan had a carefree and open mind, maybe even a bit too simple.

"Oh, right," Nathan said after a pause, "Make sure to tell the youngsters a VIP is dropping by the day after tomorrow. They need to get ready for the visit."All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

"Whoever Flora takes a shine to will become the Neville family's heir."

That last bit nearly knocked the butler off his feet. Whoever Flora liked would inherit the Neville family?! He knew Nathan held Flora in high esteem, but this was on another level.

"Master, isn't this a bit rushed?" the butler asked, unable to stop himself. The issue of the Neville family heir had been on the table for ages, but now Nathan was leaving the decision to a young girl.

"Rushed?" Nathan gave him a blank stare, scoffing, "Seems like you're the one losing your marbles."

"Yes, yes, I'm the senile one, please enlighten me," the butler chuckled.

Nathan, pleased, let out a snort. "I trained those kids myself. Their abilities are pretty even, so it's time to test their character."

"My master's skills are beyond what you'd imagine. The perfumery notebook she gave me should take two years to master."

"Of course, I want someone my master likes, someone who can get along with her. If I choose someone like Luke, who's just asking for trouble, all my hard work building the Neville family would go down the drain." Listening to Nathan call Flora his master over and over made the butler's lips twitch. Master, being so proud of having a young girl as your master...

But he got Nathan's point.

"Master, you're really thinking ahead," he sighed.

"That's right, way better than you, you old coot," Nathan said with pride.

...

Flora put down her phone just as Connor emerged from the bathroom. She handed it over to him.

"What's up?" Connor asked, confused.

"Dad and my brother sent me a bunch of digital gifts. Can you help me accept them? My fingers are sore from all the tapping," Flora complained. There were still dozens to open.

Connor chuckled, taking the phone,

but his eyes caught her wallpaper-a portrait of a young guy. His eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't say a word,just opened the app and accepted the gifts for her. Once done, he handed it back.

Flora noticed her wallpaper had changed to a photo of her and Connor. She raised an eyebrow and glanced at Connor, who had already moved to the window to dry his hair. She shook her head, a smile in her eyes. What a tsundere.

ne'

The next evening, Flora, Adrian, Kruz, and a bunch of the Reyes family kids headed to the underground market. Connor was running late with work but would join them later. The underground market was bustling and wild, so he had Beck stick by Flora's side. The market operated outside the Lone Island council's control, its mysterious owner wielding so much power that even the council had to show respect.