Riley Palmer sat in the car, watching the skyscrapers slide past the window one by one. She didn't speak.
Nor did she respond to Adrian Carter, who was lying with his head on her lap.
Adrian played with a strand of Riley's hair, twirling it around his fingers.
"Riley, I can't stay with you tonight."
Riley lowered her eyes to look at him. "What happened? Nothing serious, right?"
Adrian rubbed lightly against her abdomen. "Nothing. My dad asked me to go home."
"Mm, alright. Just be careful."
"If Chris bothers you, ignore him. Just stay out of his way, so your dad won't worry about you," Riley said as she poked Adrian's cheek.
"Got it." Adrian nodded obediently.
He reached out to hold Riley's hand and placed a gentle kiss on it.
"Riley, wait for me tonight."
Riley brushed her lips against his. "Okay."
"I'll head back first."
When the car stopped in front of the apartment building, Adrian looked at the girl's lonely figure and felt a small pang in his chest.
But he still forced a smile.
"Let's go," he said, collapsing back into the seat and gazing toward the direction she walked away in.
The sun was slowly setting over H City, warm golden light spilling through the car windows.
Adrian's eyes were illuminated by the soft light clouded, yet confused.
The little rabbit had already stepped into the cage… but the fox had no intention of stopping now.
What the fox desired was never a superficial relationship, but a love that seeped into the bones, a love that left a scar.
Carter Family Estate
"Adrian, you're back," The chairman said while polishing a sculpture.
"Dad, why did you call me back?"
Adrian sat down casually on the chair beside him, crossing one leg over the other.
"Are you serious about Riley?"
The chairman set the sculpture aside and looked at Adrian.
Adrian paused for a moment, staring at his father.
"You think I'm pretending?"
The chairman sighed. "Adrian, I admit I was strict with you growing up."
"When I sent you abroad back then, it made you think I didn't value you."
Adrian's expression shifted.
His training since childhood had far surpassed Chris Carter's.
Combat, archery, the company's overseas business.
Adrian had been involved from a young age, which naturally put him at odds with Jassen, Chris, and the others.
Jassen always believed that The chairman would hand the company to him, the eldest son.
But things didn't go as he thought.
He assumed Adrian was abandoned, exiled overseas.
But no one expected Adrian to return years later with a massive overseas market.
Publicly, Adrian founded the Aurelius Group.
In reality, the company was deeply intertwined with the Carter Conglomerate.
Every overseas expansion project involved him.
The chairman lowered his head in guilt. "Adrian, you're the most capable one."
"I wanted to protect you, but your brother already secured a huge web of connections within the Carter Conglomerate."
Adrian stayed silent, quietly rubbing the ring that matched the little charm on Riley's necklace.
"Adrian, once you get married, this contract becomes effective."
The chairman pulled out a file hidden deep in a cabinet.
"Take a look. Don't refuse it."
"Dad…" Adrian opened the folder and froze, shocked.
"This was your mother's decision."
"Your brother… he's too impatient. He's not suitable for the position."
The chairman shook his head and turned his teacup in his hands.
"Adrian, that seat is a throne but it's also a blood-soaked one."
"Once you sit on it, your brother may no longer remain your brother…"
Adrian didn't respond. He simply looked at the documents quietly.
"I'll take this for now."
He took a few steps toward the door.
"If I really take that position… don't blame me for being ruthless."
His right hand touched the left side of his waist, his gaze deepening.
Adrian left the study and saw Jassen Carter sitting on the sofa outside. He nodded slightly and walked past.
"Adrian, don't think you'll take the position that easily."
"So what if Dad gives it to you?You think those shareholders will listen to you?"
Jassen stopped him, sneering.
"Big brother," Adrian stepped closer,"Have I ever cared what those old men think?"
"Don't forget, I climbed out of the mud. If they disappear, they will just disappear."
"And when they're gone… won't I sit more comfortably?"
As Adrian spoke, he slowly leaned closer to Jassen.
"Adrian! Don't push your luck!"
Jassen roared angrily.
"Jassen, you're welcome to try. Let's see what I'll do."
Adrian lowered his head a little, looking straight into his brother's eyes.
"I'm leaving now." He waved casually and walked away.
Jassen watched him go, eyes darkening."Adrian… just you wait for it!"
Inside the Car
Adrian glanced at the contract in his hand and let out a sarcastic laugh.
"The company… who cares about the company?"
He tossed the folder aside, leaned back, and stared out the window.
At the Apartment Building
Adrian walked straight to Riley's door.
He took a deep breath and raised his hand.
"Ding-dong—"
Click—
"Who is it?" The one who opened the door was Chloe Frost.
"Miss Frost." Adrian greeted with a smile.
Chloe gave him a cold look, said nothing, and left only a narrow gap before walking back inside.
Adrian's expression chilled. He stepped into the apartment.
"Adrian, you're here?"
Riley was sitting on the floor with a face mask on, playing cards with Yudy Palmer, May Miller.
Adrian tilted his head toward them. "Mm."
He sat cross-legged behind Riley.
"How many rounds did you win?" His breath warmed her ear.
Riley turned to him with a pout. "I've been losing all night."
May burst out laughing. "She really has! It's tragic!"
Adrian stroked Riley's head, voice gentle."Don't cry. I'll teach you."
"Adrian, you know how to play?" May stared.
Adrian smiled at Riley. "A little."
"Let's start." Yudy looked clearly annoyed by Adrian's presence.
"Chloe, deal!"
Chloe sat between May and Yudy. "Begin."
"Number six. I'll deal starting from me."
"One, two, three, four, five, six."
"Starting with Yudy."
Yudy glanced at his cards and smirked. "Three points," he declared confidently.
"Oh no… again?" May slumped.
"Yudy, when you get good cards, you always smirk like that. Your lips are basically touching your ears."
Yudy raised an eyebrow and pressed a finger to his lips.
"Shh. Everything is under my control."
May muttered under her breath,"Control… That's what you said last round, and the ending was tragic."
Chloe didn't join the bickering. She calmly pushed the three bottom cards to Yudy.
As soon as he picked them up, Chloe's gaze flicked sharply over her own cards. Her fingers brushed over the two jokers.
Adrian leaned slightly on Riley's shoulder, whispering softly, "He probably has a bomb. We play defensive this round."
Riley tightened her grip on her cards and nodded nervously.
Yudy played first, confidently throwing out a pair. "Pair of Kings!"
May frowned and countered, "Pair of Twos!"
Adrian glanced at Riley's cards, then at Chloe.
"Pass," he murmured.
Riley followed. "Pass."
Chloe paused for a few seconds and also passed.
After several exchanges, Yudy's powerful hand let him play three more cards, leaving only five in hand. His grin was almost unstoppable.
Then Chloe's lips curved faintly.
She placed four cards on the table. "Bomb."
Her tone was calm as ever.
Yudy's smug smile froze instantly.
Chloe's playing style, like her personality calm, precise quickly dismantled his strategy.
Adrian narrowed his eyes, evaluating Riley's hand, then whispered rapidly.
Riley played the key cards. "Rocket!"
She cut off Yudy's path cleanly.
Yudy glared at Adrian and Chloe. "Pass."
The momentum shifted immediately.
Under Adrian's guidance, Riley played her remaining cards carefully.
Finally, Chloe placed down her last joker and ended the game.
Yudy stared at his remaining five cards in disbelief.
Chloe chuckled softly as she gathered the deck. "Under control, Yudy?"
May nearly fell over laughing.
Riley watched the teasing and banter, then relaxed completely, falling into Adrian's arms and gently playing with his hand.
"Again?" Adrian brushed her hair behind her ear.
Riley shook her head. "No… I'm tired."
Adrian smiled softly and nodded.
"Ugh—"May looked at them with disdain.
"You two lovebirds, please move this elsewhere."
Riley laughed and stood, dragging Adrian to the door.
"Come on, ignore them."
Adrian let her drag him along, picking up his forgotten coat from the sofa as they left.
Night Walk.
Riley held Adrian's hand as they wandered downstairs.
He noticed her small hand turning cold and slightly blue.
He lifted his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
Riley walked on the small pebble path, looking up at the perfectly round moon.
"Adrian, that night at Happy Valley… the moon was just as round."
Adrian looked up. "Mm. Very round."
A memory surfaced in his mind, a memory belonging to Riley and Chris Carter.
Three years ago, the moon was just as full. But the man beside her wasn't him.
Back then, the Launch Enterprise project had finally stabilized. Riley suggested they celebrate, so she and Chris rode the ferris wheel at Happy Valley.
Boom—
When the ferris wheel reached the top, fireworks exploded across the sky. Brilliant bursts filled the air.
Riley and Chris stood at the best viewing spot, watching fireworks that didn't truly belong to them.
"Riley, once everything with Launch Enterprise settles, let's be together, okay?" Chris asked, looking at her profile.
Riley turned to him with a smile. "Okay."
Their happy silhouettes burned into Adrian's memory.
His eyes reddened slightly as he watched the girl in another man's arms.
He was deeply upset, but powerless.
Regarding Chris, Adrian didn't want to fight over anything.
Not even the girl he loved.
"Master Carter, are you really letting Chris take the credit?" Caleb Montgomery asked from behind, displeased as he watched Chris and Riley.
Adrian looked at their figures and said softly, "As long as she's happy, everything is worth it."
He watched until their car disappeared from sight.
"Why torture yourself?" Leonard Sterling asked from behind, carrying the half-asleep Caleb.
"She was really happy today." Adrian continued staring in their direction.
He looked up at the moon. "Tonight… the moon is very full. She must be happy."
Leonard glanced at Adrian's lonely silhouette, sighed, and carried Caleb away from Happy Valley.