Sam wordlessly handed Saskia the small package, including the letter. She accepted it gratefully and went upstairs to her room, completely soaked. She put the whole thing on her bedside table and went into the bathroom to get rid of her wet clothes.

After a long and relaxing shower, which had been absolutely necessary after that cold, she went back to her bedroom wrapped in a large towel. There she changed into soft pajamas and snuggled into her bed.

Fear and curiosity mixed into an undesirable combination. Saskia didn't know whether to throw the package out the window, or rejoice that Lionel had finally found it worth the effort to respond.

Should she open the letter first or the gift? Questions upon questions, with no one to help her make a decision.

Sia took heart and began to open the black wrapping paper. Out came a casket, all too familiar to her. To make sure she was not mistaken, she opened it. She would have liked to throw the box out of the window, so angry had Saskia become!

"What does he want with that?!" she grumbled angrily and ran her hand impetuously through her natural curls. Why did he bring her the lion's head necklace on purpose? She had left that piece of jewelry there for a reason! She didn't want to accept a gift from him. Now she was even more anxious to receive the letter. Maybe the reason for this strange gesture could be found in it.

Saskia closed the jewelry box again and put it carelessly on the nightstand. She would bring the necklace back to him, because she did not need charity! Especially not from him!

She had become so annoyed by now that her face took on a slight blush. Fortunately, he had not met her in person. She would certainly have thrown the casket around his head.

Despite everything, she was curious now and opened the envelope made of expensive handmade paper. When she pulled out the letterhead, another smaller note fell out, but she paid no attention to it at the moment. She admired the letter written by hand, Lionel had an elegantly curved handwriting.

Dear Saskia,

Actually, I was hoping to see you again in person. But holding this letter in your hands, I'm afraid it didn't work out.

Due to your quick departure, you probably forgot your piece of jewelry. If you don't want it anymore, you are welcome to return it to the jeweler. The invoice is enclosed with the letter.

I would have loved to have had a talk with you. If you are still interested, I would like you to meet me at a small stud farm in Wolferton. The address and date, are at the end of the letter.

Lord Lionel Shahbandar

Slowly, Saskia lowered the letter. She didn't know whether to laugh, scream, or cry! She would have liked to do a combination of everything.

Now she gave her full attention to the small piece of paper that had fallen out of the letter earlier. When she saw the purchase amount of the jewelry, her face color changed from chalky pale to bright red. Renewed anger flared up in her! The sum was an insolence! No normal person would buy a gift for this horrendous price. With that sum of money she would be able to buy a house in Wolferton!

She didn't want his money! The emotionless letter also annoyed her. As if he himself would believe that she had left the casket by mistake! Ridiculous!

Sia would go to the damnable meeting, which would take place tomorrow. She would smash his gift in his face. Studying the address, she found that it wasn't far away at all. She had always believed that the small estate was abandoned. Did it belong to the lord? What a horrible coincidence! Not even here did she have peace from him.

Sleep was now out of the question. Saskia had put the letter together with the casket into the drawer, so that she didn't have to look at it anymore. A thick lump formed in her throat. She still loved Lionel, she couldn't deny that. But his posturing and acting like it was all just pocket money to him, she hated it.

She really needed to come up with a little plan to keep her from falling into his arms. She was far too disappointed for that, because he had made out with Puznowski.

Suddenly she felt sick. Who knows, maybe PJ was also present and they would make fun of her so that she completely embarrassed herself? Immediately she remembered the "discussion" with her ex, which had been a pure disaster. But as much as she was afraid of that, she would turn herself in and make her point once and for all. It would certainly help her to finally draw a line in this relationship that had never been one.

Saskia pondered for a long time and thought about a few scenarios. In the end, she would act spontaneously, as she always did. To meet him would be more than difficult, because feelings could not be turned off, whether one wanted to or not!

Lionel walked nervously up and down in his picture gallery. He had gone back home after the rain had subsided. He had given the Housekeeper some instructions for the next day's meeting. He fervently hoped that Saskia would come and he would get the debate he so desired. He finally had to know if it was true that she had left because of Puznowski.

Actually, he wanted to let Saskia go, because she deserved another, a better man. But he couldn't!

"Damn it!!!" he scolded loudly.

Shahbandar had had plenty of stress in the last month. The negotiations with the Chinese had been anything but positive. And when they had tried to screw him again, he had blown the whole thing off!

He had not been able to sleep for nights. Originally he would have gone to China for a longer time, because on the spot he could have controlled everything more easily. But that was no longer necessary in the meantime, because he had broken off all negotiations and the deal was off.

Lionel suddenly saw no point in it, what was the use? He had so much money and no heirs. He no longer needed to expand his empire.

He could enjoy his retirement. Work and his company seemed so pointless to him lately. He must have been in a life crisis, he thought to himself. Or was it just because he didn't have Sassy around anymore? He would let his heart decide for the first time tomorrow. The meeting with her was more than decisive for him and his own future.