The next day.
Riley Palmer opened her eyes and looked at the drowsy fox in front of her.
She smiled and nestled into his arms, gently tapping his eyelashes.
Adrian Carter rubbed his forehead against Riley Palmer's and said softly, "The alarm hasn't gone off yet. Sleep a little longer."
Adrian pulled Riley closer into his embrace.
"Riley, I love you. I really love you." Adrian whispered over and over again.
"Mm, I know." Riley's slightly cold hand slowly cupped his face.
"Ring—"
The alarm went off, breaking the peace.
Riley slowly slipped out of Adrian's arms and put on her slippers.
"Secretary Palmer, you didn't take good care of your boss." Adrian complained as the warmth in his arms faded.
Riley chuckled lightly and turned around. "Mr. Carter, you must be joking. I'll make sure to serve you perfectly in the future, alright?"
Adrian's eyes curved. "Then I'll look forward to it, Secretary Palmer."
Riley ignored him and left the room.
She walked straight back to her apartment.
"Beep—"
"Brother, I'm back." Riley said while changing her shoes.
The room was silent, except for Chloe Frost sitting at the dining table.
The two looked at each other without speaking.
"Your brother seemed to be heading to an interview. Left in a hurry in the middle of the night."
Chloe slowly put down her coffee and looked at Riley.
Riley's mood dropped, her head lowering slightly.
She quietly walked toward her room.
Her eyes caught sight of a piece of paper on the bed.
Riley frowned in confusion and walked toward the edge of the bed, slowly opening the paper.
[Good morning, Riley.][By the time you read this letter, it should already be morning.][Forgive me for disappearing without saying goodbye again.][When I come back, I'll bring you a great news.][Riley, after observing these past days, that Adrian guy may look cunning, but he truly treats you well.][I approve of the two of you.][The thing I left for you is hidden at the right corner of your makeup table.][Give it to Adrian only when you've thought it through. I will always stand behind you.][If you ever feel wronged, tell me. I'll get on a plane and bomb him immediately.][Don't worry about me. Love, your brother.]
Riley's eyes reddened as she read the letter.
"Stupid brother, even after leaving you still make people cry."
She slowly walked to the makeup table, her trembling fingers gently pulling open the drawer.
Seeing a red corner peeking out, she could no longer hold back her tears.
They streamed down as her fingers slowly touched the yellow letters spelling 'Household Registration Book'.
She stood there quietly… her eyes curving, breathing softly.
"Buzz buzz—"
Riley looked at the incoming message. It was from Yulius Linn.
[Miss Palmer, there's an issue with the Liharbor project.]
Riley's brows tightened as she read the message.
She wiped her tears, steadied her emotions, and called Yulius.
"Assistant Linn, what's going on with the Liharbor project?" Riley asked calmly.
"Beep beep—"
The rumble of a car engine came from Yulius's end.
"Secretary Palmer, I'm still on my way to the site."
"From what they described… it seems Mr. Carter is causing trouble at the construction site."
Riley froze. Carter… who? Chris? Or… Jassen?
"Secretary Palmer?" Yulius asked, puzzled by Riley's silence.
"Oh, alright. I understand. I'll be there soon."
Riley hung up and looked at herself in the mirror.
"No time for makeup."
She rushed to the bathroom to wash her face, grabbed her glasses and bag.
She stepped out of her room.
"Riley, eat something first?" Chloe stood between the kitchen and the door, holding a bag of bread and a cup of coffee.
Riley smiled. "Thanks, Chloe."
Clang—
After finishing the coffee and grabbing the bread, Riley left swiftly.
Chloe stared blankly at her hurried figure and shook her head dotingly.
She returned to the dining table, barely sitting down when...
"Ding-dong—"
Chloe sighed long. Without looking, she already knew it was Adrian.
She opened the door impatiently and said coldly, "Riley isn't here."
As she tried to close the door, a large hand blocked it.
Adrian's expression remained polite as he looked at her. "Where did Riley go?"
Chloe glanced at him. "I don't know."
The atmosphere stayed silent for a long time. Chloe frowned at Adrian's calm face.
"I really don't know. Probably something work-related."
"She seemed in a rush. Left without makeup."
"Thank you." Adrian nodded politely and quickly disappeared down the hallway.
"Crazy." Chloe muttered at his retreating figure.
Elevator hall.
Adrian made a call.
"Ring ring ring—"
No answer.
His brows tightened as he dialed another number.
"Mr. Carter." Yulius's voice came through.
"I don't care. Your Aurelius Group is such a huge company."
"You break your promises! You signed the agreement properly, and now you're backing out."
"And you even poached my deputy!"
"You tell me, how is this appropriate?!"
Adrian's brows furrowed deeper.
From the other side came a voice he knew well, Chris Carter.
Adrian said coldly, "Where are you?"
"At the construction site."
Adrian hung up.
His mind was filled with Riley's image.
An inexplicable anxiety grew inside him.
He got into the black Mercedes, eyes dark and sharp.
Outside the construction site, residents crowded together to watch. Adrian's cold aura made people instinctively step back.
"Riley, I know your feelings for Adrian are fake, right?"
"Riley, come back. I'll kick Anna out for you."
Chris clung to Riley's leg, shouting.
Riley stared at him with disgust.
Adrian looked at Chris's hands on her leg, annoyed. He wanted to rush over but forced himself to remain calm.
He wanted her answer… he wanted to know what was truly in her heart.
Riley sneered and looked down at Chris.
She raised her other foot and stomped hard on his arm.
Chris recoiled in pain, crawling backward, staring in disbelief at the Riley who once loved him deeply.
"Riley…" he choked.
Riley ignored him and carefully wiped the spot he touched with a tissue.
"Chris, don't you think you're pathetic?"
"You're filthy, and in the end, you're still the one who groveling."
"What do you think I am? Some kind of recycling bin?"
"No, even recycling bins collect useful things."
"But you? You're just trash."
Her eyes were cold, entirely devoid of her usual gentleness.
"Riley, I really know I was wrong."
"You slept with Adrian, didn't you? I don't mind it."
"We're even now, Riley."
Chris struggled on the ground.
He refused to believe that the woman who loved him so deeply could suddenly stop loving him.
"Chris, we didn't have to make things so ugly."
"After all, you'll still have to call me 'Aunt' in the future."
Riley's lips curled up as she bent slightly toward him.
Her hand didn't stop wiping.
"Chris, I love your uncle. I really love him. I don't love you anymore."
"We have already ended."
She tossed the crumpled tissue onto Chris's face and turned away.
She bowed slightly to Yulius and entered the construction site without looking back.
Still angry, Riley didn't notice Yulius's strange expression.
Her figure slowly grew distant.
"Yulius, drag him away. Throw him into the Carter Conglomerate lobby."
Adrian's voice sounded behind Chris like a devil.
Chris turned slowly, staring at Adrian's smiling yet terrifying face.
His body collapsed, unable to resist as the guards dragged him away.
The onlookers were dispersed by Susanto Lie.
"It's over, go home."
Adrian nodded politely to him and headed inside.
He grabbed two helmets and walked in.
"This part can be…" Riley was busy with work issues, not noticing Adrian behind her.
When the man beside her left, Adrian slowly stepped forward.
A helmet gently landed on Riley's head.
Riley looked at the hand adjusting her helmet and smiled.
"Adrian, you're here."
Her expression changed like H City's weather.
She had just stepped on Chris in fury, and now she looked harmlessly at Adrian.
Adrian saw through it but didn't say anything, only smiling at her.
"Later, let's go back to the apartment?"
Riley glanced at her clothes, indeed not suitable for the office and nodded quietly.
"Have you eaten breakfast?" Adrian tidied her hair.
Riley shook her head, not daring to look at him.
His expression didn't change. He stared at her quietly.
Her head lowered even more.
He patted her helmet and gently pressed it down.
"Alright, finish things here. Then we'll eat and go home to change."
"Secretary Palmer, is this okay?" a worker called from afar.
Riley hurried over.
Adrian didn't wander. He didn't understand construction matters.
He left everything to Riley.
He returned to the car and closed his eyes.
"Ring—"
Without looking, Adrian answered.
"Hello?" his voice slightly hoarse.
A cheerful voice replied.
"Adrian, gathering tonight?"
Adrian didn't answer, glancing at the caller ID—Leonard Sterling.
"Where's Leonard?" he asked.
"He's looking for you."
"Hello?" A steady voice came through.
"What is it?" Adrian asked.
"Caleb and your little nephew will star in a show together." Leonard said calmly, eyes full of warmth as he watched Caleb bounce around.
"What did you give the director this time?" Adrian leaned back, eyes closed, phone resting on his lap.
Silence on Leonard's end.
Adrian opened his eyes and checked the screen. Still connected.
"Where tonight?"
"Empire Club."
"Got it."
Leonard hung up the phone, Adrian whispering, "Leonard… your road to winning your lover is still long."