She decided to continue counting.

Slap!

Another slap hit her buttock.

“I was tempted to let you sleep a little longer, but my legs are getting numb," Anthony said and then sighed helplessly.

Maria blushed fiercely at his words.

She opened her eyes and slowly sat up.

"I just woke up. What are you talking about? I have absolutely no idea..." she murmured innocently.

Anthony looked at her with a blank expression. A few seconds later, he grinned at her.

"Don't worry about it. It's nothing. I was just talking to myself." The relationship between a man and a woman worked in mysterious ways, often changing in nature.

Anthony decided to let Maria get away with her antics. If she said she just woke up, then he would believe her.

"It's getting dark outside.”

Maria looked out at the window. The sky glittered with stars.

Beyond the horizon, they noticed a white light. Maria wondered why it wasn't a red sunset.

“It's almost dawn," Anthony commented.

Maria blushed in embarrassment.

The strange white Light on the horizon was the faint Light of dawn? How Long had she been sleeping?

Did she really sleep all night inside the Lounge?

The birthday party drew to a close and most guests left immediately. Vivian and her family had flown back to Sheffield early.

However, Vincent's works would be displayed at the exhibition hall in Jadforest Garden for another week.

Maria was not in a position to return to Sheffield yet. She had just become a disciple of Vincent and he still had a few more skills to train her in.