"Ring—"
Riley Palmer's phone rang.
She picked it up and glanced at the caller ID.
Jason Reed.
Riley frowned, looking rather unwilling. She stared at the screen for a long time without answering.
Seeing her hesitation, Adrian Carter reached over and pressed the answer button himself.
He even switched it to speaker.
"Riley," the voice on the other end sounded quickly.
Riley didn't intend to say much. She only replied faintly, "Mm."
"You went to Aurelius Group?"
"Mm."
Silence lingered on the other side.
Riley was starting to lose patience. She had originally planned to block Jason but somehow forgot.
"Anything else?"
Her tone held none of its usual gentleness, only coldness remained.
Adrian gently rubbed her back, extinguishing the tiny sparks of anger rising within her.
"Riley, about Liharbor… could you help Launch with it?"
Riley's mood fell straight into a pit. Her tone turned sarcastic.
"And why should I?"
"You're not planning to use the last bit of my feelings for Launch, are you?"
"Jason, you really overestimate yourself."
"There's nothing between Launch and me anymore."
"From now on, don't come to me about anything related to Launch!"
With that, Riley hung up.
Her breathing grew heavy, brows tightly furrowed.
Adrian gently patted her back and asked softly, "Do you want to cut ties with Launch Enterprise?"
Riley rubbed her temples and answered with concern, "That would have a big impact on Aurelius Group."
Just thinking about Chris and Anna Young, those two idiots, made her irritated again.
"Riley, I'll take you somewhere fun tonight."
She turned to him, puzzled. "Fun? Aren't we meeting your father tonight?"
"Yeah, but I've got a surprise for you."
Adrian gently brushed her nose, making her cheeks flush.
"Okay."
Riley smiled sweetly at him.
"I'm going back to work now, my dear President Carter."
Adrian watched her leave with a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
He looked down at his phone and typed:
[Cut all cooperation ties with Launch Enterprise.]
Yulius Linn replied quickly: [Okay.]
Adrian then switched to his chat with his father.
For the first time in ages, he actually responded: [Okay.]
At the Carter family estate, The Chairman resting in his rocking chair, was so shocked he rubbed his eyes several times.
"This brat… what kind of girl did he meet to change him this much?"
He chuckled and told the butler behind him, "Go contact Lawyer Chen. Bring the contract we prepared before and place it in my study."
"Yes, sir," the butler said respectfully.
Meanwhile, Riley stared at the project proposal in front of her, feeling a sting in her heart.
From start to finish, she alone had handled the entire Liharbor project, from the initial bidding meeting to all the miscellaneous work. She had represented Launch Enterprise through it all.
Knock knock—
Yulius politely tapped the corner of her desk.
"Miss Palmer."
Riley looked up in confusion. "Yes?"
"Regarding the Liharbor project, Miss Palmer may proceed with your own plans."
"We've already terminated our cooperation with Launch Enterprise."
Riley's hand paused mid-page turn. She froze for a moment before giving a faint "Mm."
Yulius observed her for a moment longer before leaving.
Riley picked up her phone and typed a few words.
Buzz buzz—
Adrian, working through the company acquisition tasks on his computer, glanced at the message.
[Thank you, Adrian.]
A smile spread over his face. He lowered his glasses and typed back:
[Love you.jpg]
The smile on his face remained, but the words "Acquisition of Launch Enterprise" on his computer screen reflected coldly in his dark eyes.
The warmth faded from his face. His gaze sharpened.
Afternoon.
Adrian rubbed his tired eyes and checked the time: 5 p.m.
Time to get off work.
Smiling, he opened the camera on his phone, adjusted his hair, and satisfied, stood up to leave the office.
Riley was still working through the new project proposal.
Her small secretary desk was piled high with papers, and she sat in the middle typing nonstop.
"Riley, we're heading out first."
Her coworkers waved goodbye one by one.
Soon, only Riley, Yulius, and Nalya Zulky remained in the secretary office.
Adrian leaned casually against the doorframe, watching Riley work.
The usually cute girl had turned into a diligent little bunny.
"Ugh—"
Riley stretched back in her chair.
When she turned her head casually, she saw Adrian at the door.
Her eyes lit up instantly, and the serious expression on her face melted into a bright smile.
Adrian straightened his clothes and walked toward her.
He picked up the proposal beside her.
"Miss Secretary, it's past working hours." He tapped her forehead lightly.
Riley smiled. "Okay, off work."
She tidied up her desk, grabbed her bag, and looked up at him.
"Let's go, Adrian."
He bent slightly to meet her gaze.
"Let's go, my little bunny." He patted her head gently.
They walked out together, leaving two speechless assistants behind…
Yulius glanced at Nalya.
"Told you, you're not his type."
Nalya glared after them, fuming before snapping back, "Shut up!"
Underground Parking Garage.
"Get in, my little bunny."
Adrian smiled and held the passenger door open.
Riley leaned close to him playfully. "Thank you, Mr. Fox."
Adrian carefully held the door and car roof, making sure she didn't bump into anything.
Only after she sat properly did he close the door gently.
He looked happier and more excited than usual when going back to the Carter estate.
Sitting in the driver's seat, he glanced at Riley, who was happily playing on her phone.
"What are you looking at?"
He leaned closer, not to look at the screen, but at her face.
"Chatting with Chloe and May."
Riley showed him her screen.
He smiled and reached over to buckle her seat belt.
"Let's go!"
Carter Family Estate.
Riley stared up at the enormous mansion and looked down at her empty hands.
"Adrian, I'm coming empty-handed… isn't that bad?"
Adrian chuckled and rubbed her head. "Why worry? Look."
He opened the trunk.
Inside were all the things The Chairman loved.
"Pick one. These are all my dad's favorites."
Riley looked carefully through the items.
"This is too expensive… this one doesn't feel sincere… and this…"
She finally settled on a box of tea. The others: porcelain, vases, paintings felt too extravagant.
"Chosen?" Adrian took the tea from her hand.
"Mm." She nodded.
"Let's go." He closed the trunk and led her inside.
Living Room.
The Chairman was stroking a framed photograph.
"Darling, Adrian finally has a girlfriend. I can finally relax."
His eyes were full of warmth.
"Dad, I brought Riley to see you."
The Chairman looked up, smiling.
"Adrian's here."
He stood up expectantly.
Adrian walked over holding Riley's hand.
He looked genuinely happy.
But The Chairman's smile froze when he saw Riley's face.
"Riley?"
Riley stiffened.
"Mr. Carter…"
Adrian glanced between them and laughed. "So you two already know each other?"
"Still, I should introduce you properly."
"Dad, this is my girlfriend, Riley Palmer."
"Riley, this is my father. And don't call him grandpa, it's wrong generation."
He playfully shook her arm.
Crash—!
A vase shattered on the floor. Porcelain shards scattered everywhere.
Adrian quickly pulled Riley behind him, shielding her.
He cast a lazy glance toward the culprit, Lydia Suvian, Chris's mother.
"Sister-in-law, what's wrong? Are you that shocked to see me home?"
Still holding Riley's hand tightly, Adrian stared down Lydia with open challenge.
"Riley…" Lydia's voice trembled, eyes wide with disbelief.
Riley felt cold all over. She slowly turned toward Adrian.
Seeing his calm expression, doubt flickered in her heart.
Did Adrian know about her past with Chris?
His sudden move next door…
The unexpected job offer from Aurelius Group…
Was Adrian lying to her?
"Riley." Adrian's gentle voice pulled her back from her thoughts.
"Sit."
Riley obeyed and took a seat beside him, facing The Chairman.
She forced a smile. "Mr… Mr. Carter."
"Dad, this is the gift Riley prepared for you."
The Chairman examined the tea carefully and smiled with satisfaction.
"Riley, thank you."
After thinking it over, he actually found no issue with this pairing.
Riley had a good character and clear values.
Compared to the flashy Chris, she and Adrian indeed made a better match.
"Grandpa."
A familiar voice hit Riley's ears.
Her expression stiffened. She took a deep breath.
Holding tightly to Adrian's hand, she slowly turned.
"Riley! What are you doing here?"
"Chris… you're back…"
Chris's gaze dropped to their tightly held hands.
"Riley Palmer! What do you think you're doing?!"
His face flushed red as he moved to pull her away.
"Chris, what are you doing?"
Adrian stood up immediately, shielding Riley completely behind him.
"Uncle! You clearly—!"
Chris choked, then changed direction.
"Riley, stop messing around, okay? Come to me."
He tried to coax her.
"Ridiculous!"
The Chairman slammed his cane on the floor.
"Why are you shouting in the middle of the day?! Eat!"
Thud—
the cane struck the ground again.
With the butler's support, The Chairman left the living room.
Adrian turned to Riley, who had remained silent all this time.
He bent slightly. "Let's go eat?"
Riley looked up and nodded slowly.
Adrian wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her past Chris.
Chris clenched his fists, bloodshot eyes fixed forward.
Lydia hurried to his side, grabbing his shoulders.
"Chris, what's going on?"
"How did Riley end up with Adrian?"
"Mom… let's eat first. When Dad comes back, we'll find a solution."
"Riley must be angry at me. That's all. She still loves me… she has to."