"Buzz—"
Adrian Carter glanced at the message that came in. It was from The chairman.
[Adrian, these are the auspicious dates I asked someone to calculate.][When will you bring Riley over to visit again?]
Looking at the densely packed list of dates, Adrian's expression grew impatient.[No time for now.]
He tossed his phone onto the passenger seat, his dark eyes tightening slightly.
"Knock knock—"
Seeing a face pressed against the window, Adrian laughed.He slowly lowered the car window.
"Secretary Palmer." Adrian leaned closer to her.
Riley Palmer chuckled and tapped the tip of his nose. "President Carter."
"Get in." Adrian opened the door and lifted his chin slightly.
Riley glanced at his phone and gently took it into her hand, quietly watching the man beside her who was focused on driving.
"Adrian, has anyone ever told you your hands look really good?"
Adrian laughed. "Sure."
"Who? Your ex-girlfriend?" Riley asked curiously.
"Are you jealous?" The traffic light outside turned red. Adrian stopped the car and looked at her.
Riley turned to look out the window. "Of course not. Can't I just ask it?"
Adrian stifled a laugh. "Alright, I won't tease you. I don't have an ex-girlfriend. I've never liked anyone before."
"You're the first. And the last."
Riley stared at him in disbelief. "Impossible. Adrian, you're lying."
"It's true." Adrian raised his right hand like making an oath, speaking with earnest seriousness.
Riley smirked, unable to hide how delighted she felt.
"Let's get out, little bunny." Adrian unbuckled his seatbelt and also unfastened Riley's.
Riley's Apartment
"You sit first. I'm going to put on makeup." Riley went straight to her room.
Adrian watched her with a smile as the girl did her makeup inside, then casually observed the living room layout.
Under the TV screen sat a row of framed photos.
Adrian squatted slightly, smiling gently at the figures in the frames.
In every photo, Riley had a bright, beaming smile.
His eyes paused on the center photo.
In it stood Riley's parents and Yudy Palmer, while Riley, treated like a precious treasure, stood in the middle, protected on both sides.
Adrian examined her smile carefully, his eyes full of warmth.
"What are you doing?" Riley leaned against the wall lazily, looking at him.
Adrian looked up. "Looking at you, cutie."
Riley looked away in embarrassment. "Let's go, I still have a lot work to do."
Adrian took out his phone and snapped a picture of the photo of Riley and her parents. "Alright." He followed after her.
Aurelius Group
Riley specifically told Adrian to wait until she went up first, then enter the building after a short delay.
Adrian played with his phone, occasionally looking outside.
"Fifteen minutes. Perfect." He tapped his wristwatch.
Ding—
28th floor.
Wearing a relaxed shirt, Adrian walked through the middle of the hallway.
He glanced at Riley in the secretarial department, smiling faintly.
"Secretary Palmer, come in."
Riley slowly looked up at him at the doorway. "Yes, President Carter." A subtle smile formed on her face.
President's Office
Riley followed behind Adrian as they walked in.
Adrian gestured for her to sit on the sofa and handed her his phone, showing her the messages.
"My dad is rushing me." Adrian held his face, pretending to be troubled, as he stared at her as if wanting to see straight through her.
Riley chuckled. "Then when do you think is good?" She handed the phone back.
Adrian sighed dramatically. "Your brother hasn't even cleared all his levels yet. What are you thinking?"
"He agreed." Riley said softly, looking at Adrian sincerely.
"Really?" Adrian instantly slid closer, gripping her small hand tightly.
Riley didn't answer aloud, she simply nodded.
Adrian happily embraced her. "Riley, you're mine."
"You're mine."
He repeated it over and over next to her ear.
"Oh, right." Adrian held her shoulders, looking at her seriously.
"Riley, tonight I'm going to a gathering with Leonard and Caleb. Come with me."
"Your brother might show up."
His tone was firm, gaze sincere.
Riley paused, then nodded.
Cyan Lounge
Adrian entered with Riley on his arm, making a high-profile appearance.
"Well well well, a man with a girlfriend really is different." Caleb Montgomery shook his head and walked over.
"Hi, Riley." Caleb greeted her cheerfully.
Behind him stood a composed, mature-looking man.
Leonard Sterling picked up his glass and looked at Adrian. "Mr. Carter."
Adrian surveyed the guests, then glanced at Leonard. "You're really throwing money tonight… Didn't just for get the role? Is this necessary?"
"He invited it." Leonard looked at Caleb weaving gracefully among the socialites.
Of the three, Caleb had the most friends. As the little heir of the Montgomery family, one of the three major powers in H City, he was pampered endlessly.
Unlike Adrian, neither Caleb nor Leonard had to worry about fighting for family succession. Their family assets went to the eldest sons.
Adrian, however, had been different since birth. As The chairman's late-born son, he was never welcomed by his older brother Jassen Carter.
When Adrian was born, Jassen was already a teenager and had been raised rigidly as the future heir.
But fate shifted, Adrian's birth changed everything. Jassen was no longer pressured.All the rules and expectations fell on Adrian instead.
Jassen knew well that this younger brother was here to take his place.
Their relationship deteriorated.
Then Chris Carter was born. The chairman's attention shifted, and Jassen thought Chris would be his chance to rise again.
But unexpectedly, Chris had no business talent at all.
Even his small company survived only because of a girl. Once she left, the company practically collapsed.
And now, that girl stood on the opposite side of their family.
Family tensions grew worse.
"Adrian, Adrian." Riley tugged his arm worriedly.
Adrian put his smile back on. "I'm fine."
"Come on, I'll take you to the private room." He led her upstairs.
Second Floor Private Room.
The atmosphere changed the moment they walked in.
"Mr. Carter, you're here."
The room was luxurious but not gaudy. All the young masters from prominent families were seated inside.
Adrian nodded politely. "Sorry, for waiting."
"Ohhh, our star is here." Caleb's voice rang out.
"Riley, sit anywhere you like. Don't be nervous, we won't gonna eat people."
He teased and handed her a cup of warm milk.
"Here, warm your stomach."
Riley took it carefully. "Thank you, Young Master Montgomery."
Caleb smiled and went off to chat with the others.
Social Banter
"Young Master Montgomery, I heard you're joining the cast soon?""Congratulations!"
These heirs were always good at flattery.
As the most pampered young master among H City's top three families, Caleb didn't have Adrian's scheming nor Leonard's cold decisiveness, making him the easiest entry point for people wanting to get close to the circle.
"Young Master Montgomery, I have a friend in the entertainment industry…"
"No need to explain, I got this." Caleb patted his chest.
"Should I scan your code?"
"Leonard, phone." Caleb reached toward Leonard.
Leonard calmly took Caleb's phone out of his coat pocket. "Here."
Caleb glared. "Not that one. I want yours."
"No." Leonard refused bluntly, staring him down without budging.
"Leonard, hurry. He's waiting." Caleb urged.
Leonard exhaled helplessly and finally handed over his own phone.
"Done." Caleb added the contact, then followed Leonard back to the sofa.
"Leonard, I'm deleting all these people." Caleb fiddled with his phone.
Leonard barely reacted, sipping his drink calmly.
Riley watched their closeness and smiled.Adrian also looked at them, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
In the corner stood a man with deep, quiet eyes. He remained motionless, fingers rubbing the faint tattoo on his hand.
"Come on, let's play pool!" Caleb called out, returning Leonard's phone and hyping up the room.
"Riley, come join us!" he waved.
Riley hesitated, glancing at Adrian, who was staring at her intently.
Adrian leaned in and kissed her neck lightly. "Want to play?"
She blushed under the gazes of the young masters behind her and nodded.
"Do you know how to play?" Adrian held her hand.
She pulled him up with a soft smile. "Teach me."
He chuckled, set down his glass, and followed her to the table.
"Mr. Carter, up for a game?" Timothy Zole asked, holding a cue stick.
Adrian looked at Timothy without answering, then simply turned his gaze back to Riley, who was blinking up at him adorably.
He patted her head gently and led her to sit. "What's the prize if I win?"
Riley tilted her head and tugged his collar. "What do you want?"
His eyes drifted to her lips before looking away. "You."
"Okay." She straightened his collar.
Adrian spun around swiftly, noticing the stunned expressions of his friends.
"What are you staring at? Let's start."
He casually picked up a cue stick.
"Timothy, beat him. Stop him from showing off!" Caleb yelled.
Adrian glanced coldly at Caleb, who instantly hid behind Leonard.
Leonard met Adrian's eyes calmly.
Adrian then looked at Timothy. "How do you want to play?"
"Old rules. Snooker." Timothy extended his hand toward the model beside him.
"I'll be the referee!" Caleb raised his hand and ran over.