Riley Palmer quickly packed up her things and quietly looked at Adrian Carter's face.
"Go on, Mr. Carter."
Hearing "Mr. Carter," Adrian felt a hint of irony."You're still calling me Mr. Carter?"
Riley looked at him confidently and stood up. "This is the company. Of course I should call you Mr. Carter."
Adrian stared at her aggressive lips, his throat moving slightly. He rose and grabbed Riley's hand, pressing it against the edge of the table, lifting it lightly as he looked at her.
Breathing softly, he touched the black stockings on her legs."Ms. Palmer dresses like this at work?"
Adrian had noticed it the moment Riley walked in. But watching all the executives staring at her earlier had ignited a fire in his chest he could no longer suppress.
He gently tugged at the stockings. Riley stepped back a few steps. Adrian grabbed her ankle and placed her foot against his own leg.
"Ding—"
The elevator on the 28th floor chimed.
Yulius Linn, puzzled, put down his utensils and jogged to the elevator area. "Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Sterling."
Caleb Montgomery sounded flustered and glanced at the meeting room. "Adrian is still in the meeting room? It's already lunchtime."
Caleb spoke with irritation as he walked toward the meeting room door. Leonard Sterling noticed Yulius's anxious expression and immediately understood someone else was inside.
Leonard quickly stepped forward and grabbed Caleb by the collar.
"Alright, let Adrian finish his work."
"We'll wait in the office first."
He intentionally raised his voice at the last sentence, giving the meeting room door a meaningful look.
Inside, Adrian chuckled softly and slowly released Riley's ankle. He gently lifted her down and kissed her forehead.
"Let's go eat."
Adrian reached out his hand, looking at her flushed cheeks with tenderness, tapping her nose lightly.
At this time, everyone from the secretary's department had gone to lunch, leaving no one in the office. Adrian openly took Riley's hand and walked toward the office without hiding anything.
President's Office.
"Leonard! Hurry up, I'm dying here!" Caleb lay half-reclined on the sofa, his bare feet resting on Leonard's thigh.
Leonard calmly tapped his phone screen. "Yes! I won!"
Caleb jumped excitedly on the sofa. Then he glanced at the door where Adrian stood with Riley beside him.
"Uh—hi."
Feeling awkward, Caleb carefully held Leonard's offered hand and sat down obediently.
Riley followed Adrian and greeted them softly. "Hi—" She gently waved her delicate, pale hand.
Caleb and Leonard were sitting very close. Rather, Caleb was leaning entirely against Leonard.
Riley watched the scene with a meaningful smile.
Adrian noticed the quiet girl beside him and turned his head.
Seeing she staring intently at his two best friends, he chuckled helplessly.
"What's wrong?" Adrian rubbed her hair gently and whispered in her ear, "Stop staring. Eat."
Riley froze, then carefully glanced up at him. She obediently lowered her head and ate from her bowl.
"How's the Liharbor project going?" Leonard placed a piece of meat into Caleb's bowl as the latter kept ignoring meat and only ate vegetables.
Caleb beamed at the sudden piece of meat. Leonard's eyes returned to Adrian, regaining his usual calmness.
Adrian looked at Riley beside him. Holding her hand, he played with her fingers in his palm. "Still being revised."
He leaned back in his chair. "If you want more details, why not ask Riley?"
Caleb put his chopsticks down and looked toward Riley.
"Ms. Palmer is the project lead?"
Riley lifted her head slightly and nodded at him.
"Wow! Ms. Palmer, you're amazing!" Caleb raised his thumb toward her.
Leonard ignored Caleb's comments. His gaze on Riley was deep, as if trying to see straight through her.
"Leonard, you're scaring her," Adrian suddenly said.
He rested his head on Riley's shoulder, rubbing lightly against her shirt.
Leonard looked at Adrian silently.
"Adrian, you shameless man. Showing off like this in broad daylight!" Caleb shouted at him.
Adrian stuck his tongue out at Caleb. "I'm doing it on purpose. After all, big star Caleb can't date, right?"
He shook his head teasingly. Leonard grabbed Caleb's hand tightly to stop him from charging forward. That small build of Caleb's was no match for sly fox Adrian.
Riley laughed quietly at their interaction. She hadn't expected these legendary men to have such down-to-earth moments.
Leonard looked at Riley and said seriously, "Ms. Palmer, apologies for the scene."
Riley smiled softly and glanced at Adrian resting on her shoulder, brushing his cheek lightly.
"It's alright."
Leonard saw the look Riley gave Adrian and knew clearly. Adrian had won the bet, Riley was completely in love with him.
"Knock, knock—"
Yulius Linn walked in, glancing at Caleb angrily tapping at Leonard's phone.
His gaze shifted to Adrian, still holding Riley.
"Mr. Carter, the chairman is looking for you…"Adrian looked at Yulius, then back at Riley. He poked her cheek gently.
"Mr. Carter, the chairman wants you to return home. And bring Ms. Palmer with you."
Adrian's expression changed, lifting his head from Riley's shoulder. "Got it."
For the first time, Adrian showed a cold expression in front of Riley. His grip on her hand tightened unconsciously.
"Go on. Go see your father."
Riley's voice was like a warm breeze brushing past Adrian's ears, soothing his heart. Adrian finally relaxed into a smile again.
"Buzz—buzz—"
Caleb grabbed his vibrating phone and checked it.
"Shit!"
Everyone looked at him.
"What happened?" Adrian asked first.
Caleb grabbed his mask and hat.
"Someone took photos of me hiking with that actress I worked with last week. They posted them online."
Caleb rushed out.
Leonard didn't chase him. He calmly sipped his tea.
Riley noticed both men looked troubled.
She slipped out from Adrian's arms."I'm going to the restroom."
Adrian watched her leave with a smile in his eyes.
"You're not going after him?" Leonard's hand paused as he set down his teacup.
He gave a tired smile."No anymore."
Silence fell over the office.Leonard slumped on the sofa, staring at the billboard outside the window, showing Caleb and a debutante who entered the industry at the same time as him, Yvonne Xule.
The bitterness in Leonard's heart slowly filled the room.
Adrian watched him, feeling uncomfortable. He genuinely pitied Leonard…
Caleb and Leonard had known each other far longer than Adrian had.
The Montgomery and Sterling families were deeply intertwined, their connection filled with complex interests, making it impossible for them to separate their paths.
Caleb and Leonard grew up in this environment loving, guarding, and depending on each other. Or more accurately, Leonard had always taken care of Caleb. From bringing him lunch boxes to supporting him against family objections when Caleb entered the entertainment industry.
Leonard used everything he had to help him reach where he was today.
Adrian sighed softly. "So are you still going to chase him?"
Leonard glanced at him weakly."Yes… One last year… If it doesn't work… I'll leave."
"Leave?" Adrian sounded confused.
"Adrian, in my life, I probably won't be able to love anyone beside him."
"No one else works… no one…"
"I can't stay here watching him get married and have kids." Leonard laughed bitterly. "I'll go insane."
He didn't continue. He stood up, grabbed Caleb's forgotten jacket, and left the office.
Adrian didn't call after him.
At that moment, Riley happened to walk down the hallway and saw Leonard. They nodded lightly to each other and passed.
Adrian watched Riley walking toward him, feeling deeply grateful, grateful that she had come into his life before he turned twenty-eight. Grateful that she had seen him, and walked into his side.
Seeing her slightly confused face, Adrian kissed her forehead.
Riley smiled. "What is it, Mr. Carter?"
Adrian brushed her hair gently."Thank you, Riley, for coming into my life."
Riley hugged his waist."And thank you, Adrian, for crashing into mine too."