Chapter: 1613

Despite staying up late, they weren't tired. Late nights were common in their line of work, and turning in at two a.m. was typical.

With autumn in full swing and the chill setting in, they put on light sweaters and thin jackets.

Together, they walked through the resort, holding hands.

The landscaping was flawless, surrounded by lush greenery, and the fresh, crisp air rejuvenated their spirits.

As they strolled, Norah did most of the talking, while Sean listened closely to every word.

He was aware of Norah's many aspirations and knew his role was to support her silently.

They wandered through the place at a relaxed pace, taking their time to explore before returning to the villa for Lunch.

The rest of the group was just beginning to wake up, yawning and stretching as they descended the stairs after freshening up.

Joanna massaged her eyes, saying, "Ugh, my luck couldn't have been worse. Mosquitoes buzzed around all night, biting me constantly and driving me insane."

Duncan offered reassurance, saying, "Don't be upset. Let's go have lunch."

Despite her losses at the game the previous night, Susanna was in high spirits after having sex with Phillip and greeted everyone with a radiant smile.

"Our itinerary remains as planned. We'll eat, rest a bit, and then head up the mountain for a hot spring bath." Her eyes then drifted to the couple standing closely together. "It seems some folks moved quite fast with their relationship while we were busy playing last night."

Joanna, suddenly aware, realized her distraction with the card games the previous night had made her overlook when her brother and Alyssa had slipped away. "You two seem much closer."

Clasping Bryson's arm, Alyssa beamed. "We met on a blind date, and just last night, we decided to become a couple."

Joanna's eyes went wide. Had they really formalized their relationship so quickly?

She glanced at Bryson, astonished that her usually quiet and reserved brother had so swiftly captured Alyssa's heart.

Under the weight of everyone's stares, Bryson felt slightly uncomfortable and diverted his gaze, accidentally catching Norah's eye.

Norah's eyes shone with joy and encouragement, and Bryson valued their friendship and the blessings she offered.

The group congratulated the couple and then got ready for their mountain trip.

Susanna, typically indifferent to details, had meticulously planned this outing. "The mountain has several hot springs. I've *reserved two for today—one for the men and one for the women. It's a short hike, only about an hour. Everyone can handle that, right?"

Sean, with a playful tap on her head, joked, "Stop the chatter and lead the way."

As they trekked, Susanna explained, "Although the pools are up in the mountain, they're regularly cleaned and maintained by the estate staff. This place lives up to its reputation. Each pool is thoroughly disinfected."

Walking arm in arm with Susanna, Joanna praised her, "It's impressive, Susanna, how well you know all this."

Thanks to the stone steps, the hike was easy, turning the hour-long walk into a pleasant stroll and allowing them to take in the beautiful scenery.