the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart

Chapter 583: It’s like an addiction, seeing each other once makes everything alright

Richard Shaw thought about the past three years. Although Leah didn’t stay in Switzerland specifically to accompany him—in large part, it was to look for Griffith Squire—it didn’t really matter.

As long as she was by his side.

Remembering Leah’s bold and carefree personality, the man’s expression softened slightly as he smiled and said, "I heard your matchmaking lineup stretches all the way from Southeast Asia to Imperial City?"

Ignatius Leclair kept a cold face, snorted, and said, "It’s not matchmaking. It’s to find a mom for Benjamin."

"Three years and still no luck?" Richard Shaw scoffed, not wanting to tear apart the last shreds of his dignity and pride. The Howard Family matriarch had called him more than once to complain, saying the man was becoming increasingly eccentric. Matchmaking for three years without getting married was one thing, but to not even have a single scandal? Forget a woman; was he planning to become a monk for the rest of his life?

Anyone unaware might think he had some physical issues.

Ignatius Leclair glanced toward the direction of the second floor of the small villa. Seeing the shadow of someone moving by the window, his gaze deepened slightly as he said indifferently, "Benjamin just doesn’t like them."

The only one he liked was the ex-wife.

Back when Griffith Squire had his accident, Richard Shaw had accompanied Leah straight to Europe, oblivious to the situation in Southeast Asia. By the time he knew, things had already escalated beyond recovery.

Afterward, Richard Shaw also realized the core of the problem was with Ignatius. Once he understood everything, he didn’t bother trying to persuade him.

Some things can only be resolved when he figures them out for himself. No matter how much others say, it’s all in vain.

"Leah was eager to return to the country earlier—was it because Delphine came back?" Richard Shaw asked casually. Bringing up this topic, the two men fell silent for a moment.

"Mm." Ignatius Leclair nodded, his voice deep.

"Have you ever thought about getting back together?" Richard Shaw prodded him, seemingly unintentionally.

Getting back together? A faint trace of thought crossed the man’s handsome face. His almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly as he asked, "You didn’t like Leah at first. Later, when you grew to like her, was it because of who she was or simply out of habit?"

Richard Shaw was momentarily stunned and then realized a rather serious issue. So all these years, Ignatius had never actually fallen in love or even understood what love is? Was this why he could decisively and cleanly go through with the divorce—because the man didn’t even think he had been in love?

"Though it can feel inexplicably pretentious and ridiculous discussing emotions at this age, the kind of love younger people talk about might mean being so crazy about someone you can barely stand not seeing them for a day. It means tolerating all her little quirks, wanting to draw closer to her, possess her, and even compromising all your principles for her." Having to explain such an embarrassing topic at over thirty years old made Richard Shaw feel as though this was just too much. "When you were younger, was there never anyone who moved you?"

Ignatius Leclair’s expression turned strangely dark. Yes, he had been moved before—but by Magnus Leclair, not him. If Magnus represented all the emotional aspects, then he represented rationality. Not seeing someone for a day and feeling crazed with longing? These days, he wanted to see Delphine every single day, like a drug addiction. Just a glimpse of her and he’d feel fine.

The man sneered. Is Richard implying that he has feelings for her? But apart from wanting to see Delphine, he didn’t exhibit any other symptoms. As for wanting to draw near or possess her? Not yet. Compromising all his principles? Impossible. Tolerating her little quirks? Delphine wouldn’t even dare to breathe loudly in front of him, let alone throw tantrums.

He must’ve lost his mind to even ask Richard Shaw for advice. Richard’s pursuit for a wife felt as drawn-out as a decade-long marathon.

"Enough, I’m hanging up." The moment the man saw the villa’s front door open, he immediately ended the call.