The next morning.
May Miller woke up still dizzy from last night, stumbling toward the dining table. She noticed a thermal cup she didn't recognize.
"Riley, did you buy a new bottle?"
May lifted it curiously and looked toward Riley Palmer.
Riley glanced at her while preparing breakfast.
"No. That's the cup Adrian used last night to bring the honey water. I'm returning it to him later."
Ding Dong—
The doorbell rang.
"Who is it?"
May walked to the door with confusion and opened it.
A tall man with a soft smile completely blocked her view.
"May, who is it?"
Riley didn't hear any response, suspicious, she poked her head out only to see Adrian Carter's face.
"Adrian?"
May blinked in confusion.
"May, this is my new neighbor, Adrian Carter."
May instantly showed a starstruck expression.
"Hi, I'm May Miller."
"Hello." Adrian greeted politely.
Riley took the thermal cup from May and handed it to Adrian.
"Thank you for last night."
"Did you have breakfast yet? You can join us if you want."
Riley pointed toward the apartment.
Adrian smiled. "Thank you, I haven't eaten yet."
"Come in then."
Riley moved aside for space.
Adrian paused slightly when he saw the huge pot of porridge on the table.
"Have a seat, Mr. Carter."May pulled out the chair and gestured toward it.
Adrian hesitated and glanced toward Riley in the kitchen.
"It's okay, I'll go help instead."
May stared at him rolling up his sleeves, expression showing she understood everything without saying it.
Kitchen.
Adrian looked at Riley busy fixing up the last things.
"Need help?" His voice was extremely gentle.
Riley was surprised.
"No no, you're the guest, just stay outside."
Adrian ignored her and stepped to the sink.
He rolled his sleeves and began washing the pot.
Riley panicked. "Really, it's fine. You don't have to..."
Adrian's soapy hand suddenly held her small hand.
"I'll do it."
Riley froze, looking at him.
"…Okay."
She slowly withdrew her hand.
When they walked out, they saw May furiously typing on her laptop in the living room.
"May, come eat."
"You guys eat first, my editor just sent revisions."
May waved absently.
Riley looked awkward, glancing back at Adrian.
"Let's eat then?"
Adrian smiled. "Sure."
He pulled the closer chair, yet Riley calmly walked to the opposite seat and sat down.
His smile stiffened a moment, before he sat.
Riley served him porridge.
"Try my cooking."
Adrian carefully received the bowl, smiling gently.
Riley's face instantly flushed.
Adrian became even happier watching her reaction. He blew on the porridge and took a bite.
"It's good."
He looked at Riley with bright eyes, still with a bit of porridge on his lips.
Riley smiled shyly.
Di Di Di—
The door opened.
"May, Riley, I'm here!"
Chloe Frost struggled in with her luggage.
Riley immediately stood up, telling Adrian, "You keep eating, I'll check."
Riley walked over to Chloe, stunned a moment and then reacted.
"Welcome home."
"I knew you're the best." Chloe hugged her tightly.
Among the three girls, although Riley and May looked chaotic sometimes, the softest heart was always Chloe's.
Chloe's home always had that old-fashioned patriarchal mindset. She was constantly drained by her parents and burdened by her brother. Her moving here today already explained everything her family must've found her old place again.
Chloe was fragile but prideful. Riley never exposed it she quietly helped Chloe hold her dignity.
Chloe's eyes held grievance, but she didn't say a word.
Then Chloe saw Adrian at the table, and her expression shifted from grievance slowly change to confusion, and end with surprise.
"Riley, he…?"
"Oh, he's… my neighbor."
Riley casually rolled the suitcase wheels, she always handled hygiene details for everyone.
Chloe twitched her lips, staring.
"Neighbor… comes for breakfast?" Her tone was filled with disbelief.
Riley leaned against the wall, staring at Adrian, unsure what to say…
Adrian stood up suddenly, lips lightly pressed.
"I'm sorry… I won't make things difficult for you. I'll leave. Goodbye."
He didn't even give them time to react walked out and closed the door.
His eyes' quiet grievance, made both Riley and Chloe start doubting if they were too harsh…
"Finally done, posted."May removed her earphones. "What's wrong with you two? …Why did Adrian leave?"
Riley and Chloe exchanged looks and smiled.
"It's nothing."
"Come on, eat porridge."
Riley changed the topic fast, pulling them toward the table.
Chloe took the bowl and drank all at once.
"Riley, how exactly are you planning to make your comeback? Do you have enough capital? Do you need help?"
Riley paused mid-spoon.
She slowly raised her head at the two pairs of eyes.
Riley put down her chopsticks, opened her phone and passed it to them.
"Look."
Both girls leaned in.
It was an email:
[Aurelius Group Direct Recruitment Invitation]
May screamed.
"RILEY you're insane! That's Aurelius! The rising power of H City!"
Chloe calmly read the details and nodded.
"Feels good. Aurelius is indeed rising strong lately. Good opportunity."
"But… are you sure?"
Riley nodded. "I need money to support myself anyway."
"Don't be depressed, be excited."
"Let's go to the Halloween party tonight!"
May waved the post she just saw.
"Halloween party?"
Chloe hesitated.
May immediately clung to Chloe's arm like a spoiled child.
The next morning.
May Miller woke up still dizzy from last night, stumbling toward the dining table. She noticed a thermal cup she didn't recognize.
"Riley, did you buy a new bottle?"
May lifted it curiously and looked toward Riley Palmer.
Riley glanced at her while preparing breakfast.
"No. That's the cup Adrian used last night to bring the honey water. I'm returning it to him later."
Ding Dong—
The doorbell rang.
"Who is it?"
May walked to the door with confusion and opened it.
A tall man with a soft smile completely blocked her view.
"May, who is it?"
Riley didn't hear any response, suspicious, she poked her head out only to see Adrian Carter's face.
"Adrian?"
May blinked in confusion.
"May, this is my new neighbor, Adrian Carter."
May instantly showed a starstruck expression.
"Hi, I'm May Miller."
"Hello." Adrian greeted politely.
Riley took the thermal cup from May and handed it to Adrian.
"Thank you for last night."
"Did you have breakfast yet? You can join us if you want."
Riley pointed toward the apartment.
Adrian smiled. "Thank you, I haven't eaten yet."
"Come in then."
Riley moved aside for space.
Adrian paused slightly when he saw the huge pot of porridge on the table.
"Have a seat, Mr. Carter."May pulled out the chair and gestured toward it.
Adrian hesitated and glanced toward Riley in the kitchen.
"It's okay, I'll go help instead."
May stared at him rolling up his sleeves, expression showing she understood everything without saying it.
Kitchen.
Adrian looked at Riley busy fixing up the last things.
"Need help?" His voice was extremely gentle.
Riley was surprised.
"No no, you're the guest, just stay outside."
Adrian ignored her and stepped to the sink.
He rolled his sleeves and began washing the pot.
Riley panicked. "Really, it's fine. You don't have to..."
Adrian's soapy hand suddenly held her small hand.
"I'll do it."
Riley froze, looking at him.
"…Okay."
She slowly withdrew her hand.
When they walked out, they saw May furiously typing on her laptop in the living room.
"May, come eat."
"You guys eat first, my editor just sent revisions."
May waved absently.
Riley looked awkward, glancing back at Adrian.
"Let's eat then?"
Adrian smiled. "Sure."
He pulled the closer chair, yet Riley calmly walked to the opposite seat and sat down.
His smile stiffened a moment, before he sat.
Riley served him porridge.
"Try my cooking."
Adrian carefully received the bowl, smiling gently.
Riley's face instantly flushed.
Adrian became even happier watching her reaction. He blew on the porridge and took a bite.
"It's good."
He looked at Riley with bright eyes, still with a bit of porridge on his lips.
Riley smiled shyly.
Di Di Di—
The door opened.
"May, Riley, I'm here!"
Chloe Frost struggled in with her luggage.
Riley immediately stood up, telling Adrian, "You keep eating, I'll check."
Riley walked over to Chloe, stunned a moment and then reacted.
"Welcome home."
"I knew you're the best." Chloe hugged her tightly.
Among the three girls, although Riley and May looked chaotic sometimes, the softest heart was always Chloe's.
Chloe's home always had that old-fashioned patriarchal mindset. She was constantly drained by her parents and burdened by her brother. Her moving here today already explained everything her family must've found her old place again.
Chloe was fragile but prideful. Riley never exposed it she quietly helped Chloe hold her dignity.
Chloe's eyes held grievance, but she didn't say a word.
Then Chloe saw Adrian at the table, and her expression shifted from grievance slowly change to confusion, and end with surprise.
"Riley, he…?"
"Oh, he's… my neighbor."
Riley casually rolled the suitcase wheels, she always handled hygiene details for everyone.
Chloe twitched her lips, staring.
"Neighbor… comes for breakfast?" Her tone was filled with disbelief.
Riley leaned against the wall, staring at Adrian, unsure what to say…
Adrian stood up suddenly, lips lightly pressed.
"I'm sorry… I won't make things difficult for you. I'll leave. Goodbye."
He didn't even give them time to react walked out and closed the door.
His eyes' quiet grievance, made both Riley and Chloe start doubting if they were too harsh…
"Finally done, posted."May removed her earphones. "What's wrong with you two? …Why did Adrian leave?"
Riley and Chloe exchanged looks and smiled.
"It's nothing."
"Come on, eat porridge."
Riley changed the topic fast, pulling them toward the table.
Chloe took the bowl and drank all at once.
"Riley, how exactly are you planning to make your comeback? Do you have enough capital? Do you need help?"
Riley paused mid-spoon.
She slowly raised her head at the two pairs of eyes.
Riley put down her chopsticks, opened her phone and passed it to them.
"Look."
Both girls leaned in.
It was an email:
[Aurelius Group Direct Recruitment Invitation]
May screamed.
"RILEY you're insane! That's Aurelius! The rising power of H City!"
Chloe calmly read the details and nodded.
"Feels good. Aurelius is indeed rising strong lately. Good opportunity."
"But… are you sure?"
Riley nodded. "I need money to support myself anyway."
"Don't be depressed, be excited."
"Let's go to the Halloween party tonight!"
May waved the post she just saw.
"Halloween party?"
Chloe hesitated.
May immediately clung to Chloe's arm like a spoiled child.
"If Riley goes, I'll go."
Riley was still holding her bowl when she looked at May's sparkling eyes and Chloe's slow shake of head behind her.
"Riley…"
May used her killer move, acting cute.
Riley couldn't refuse.
"Okay… I'll go."
"YES!!"
May ran happily back to her room and took out her prepared cosplay outfits.
"Girls, look at this, cute right?"
She twisted her hips, showing them her pose.
Chloe Frost and Riley Palmer exchanged a quick glance, both lowering their heads, not daring to look directly at May Miller.
Adrian Carter's Apartment
Adrian sat quietly on the couch, staring at the thermos sitting on the coffee table. His mind was blank.
Buzz buzz—
His phone vibrated beside him.
[Master Carter, going out tonight?]
It was a message from Caleb Montgomery.
Adrian lazily looked at it and replied with a simple: [?]
Caleb continued spamming:
[Halloween Party at Happy Valley tonight.][Heard the girl next door is going too.][Exclusive info. Don't ask how.]
Adrian's gaze paused on the words "the girl next door."
He wanted to ask.
But he was afraid.
It wasn't that he never thought about looking up Riley Palmer's background—he just preferred to get to know her slowly. Slowly enough that one day, she would willingly open every part of her heart to him.
[So? Master Carter? Coming?]
[Image]
Caleb sent a picture of the costume he prepared.
Adrian tapped the picture and zoomed in.
He stared at the faintly visible inner layer, and that dangerously seductive outer layer.
His lips curved slightly, thinking about how Riley reacted the first time they greeted each other… the way she was slightly mesmerized.
Adrian subconsciously touched his own body.
"Guess I should practice a bit today."
[I'll go.]
[Knew it.]
Caleb turned to Leonard Sterling beside him, smug.
"Told you he'd come."
Leonard helplessly smiled and handed his phone to him.
"Suit yourself."
Caleb expertly typed a few things, locked the phone, then lit it again.
"Look. Cool or what? Exclusive private card of mine. You'd better appreciate it."
He waved Leonard's phone in front of him, showing off.
Leonard looked at him with extreme tenderness, "Yes yes yes. Very cool. I'll treasure it."
"Hmph." Caleb folded his arms proudly. He looked back into the mirror.
A huge saw was stabbed through his head, his entire face with no trace of his actual looks.
He nodded in satisfaction.
"No way they will recognize me this time."
Leonard looked at him, eyes filled with even more tenderness.
"Leonard, don't sit there doing nothing. Sit. Get your makeup done. When Master Carter arrives, we need to be ready."
Leonard sighed, looking at the green zombie-like styling prepared for him.
He couldn't help asking…
"Caleb… can I switch with Master Carter's costume?"
"No." Caleb's refusal was extremely firm.
"I don't care. I like that one on you."
Leonard looked at stubborn Caleb and sighed helplessly. He obediently sat down and let the makeup artist start working on him.
He glanced at the costume beside him, thinking… does he really like zombies that much? Or is this from Plants vs Zombies? Green… is this really attractive??
Adrian Carter's Apartment
Adrian was running, lifting, planking repeating over and over using the equipment by the window. Sweat covered his entire body.
He looked at himself in the mirror, raised his arm, flexed the muscle, and finally nodded in satisfaction.
Buzz buzz—
[Master Carter, are you heading out yet?]
Caleb again.
[On the way.]
Adrian stepped into the shower.
Usually he took no more than fifteen minutes.
This time, he took a full thirty minutes.
Body wash on, rinsed, another layer, Rinsed again, five cycles.
Until he finally nodded in satisfaction.
He smelled himself.
"Perfect."
Caleb Montgomery's Mansion
Ding dong—
Caleb, wearing the huge saw costume, went to open the door.
"Master Carter."
Adrian looked at Caleb and was startled.
He turned left, turned right. Spoke cautiously…
"…Caleb?"
"Come in." Caleb stepped aside.
He brought Adrian into the dressing room.
"Master Carter." Leonard raised his hand, greeting him.
Adrian's eyebrow twitched slightly as he looked at the green zombie monster in front of him. His expression clearly spasmed.
Caleb pushed Adrian into a chair.
"Master Carter, don't worry. I will definitely make you look extremely handsome."