Claire Dubois said coldly,"Adrien Lefèvre, I'm warning you—don't try any crooked tricks."
What she hated most was this man's habit of opening his mouth only to run straight to his grandfather and bring up marriage.
She knew she couldn't openly defy her family's arrangements.
But that didn't mean she would submit.
Especially when the person involved was someone she disliked—and despised—the most.
When Adrien heard her words, his expression immediately tightened. He said anxiously, almost angrily,"Claire, why are you being so stubborn?"
"We're a match made in heaven!"
In his eyes, there was only Claire.
There was no room for anyone else.
Claire was so furious that her chest rose and fell sharply."Whoever you think you're a couple with—get out of my sight right now!"
She stretched out her slender finger and pointed toward the road.
She was afraid she wouldn't be able to control her anger any longer.
"Claire, you've had too much to drink. Take my car—I'll send you back," Adrien said quickly.
But how could Claire possibly listen?
People around them had already begun to gather.
They watched the argument with undisguised interest.
"No need!" Claire snapped.
"Get out of here. Now!"
Seeing that Claire was genuinely furious—and noticing how many people were watching—Adrien finally became concerned about his family's reputation.
After all, his mother forbade him from frequenting places like this.
If word got out, he would definitely be reprimanded again.
Thinking this through, Adrien took two hurried steps back.
"Alright, I'm leaving. I'll go."
Even as he said it, he turned back again and again, reluctant, before finally getting into the Rolls-Royce Phantom.
The car drove off.
Claire lowered her arms and let out a weak sigh.
Just this kind of person…
How could I ever like him?
She laughed bitterly at herself."Even if I killed myself, I still wouldn't marry someone like that."
With that, she staggered away from the bar alone.
She hadn't driven.
The only reason she came to the bar tonight was because her family had been pressuring her nonstop.
Everyone kept telling her how excellent Adrien Lefèvre was—how she should promise him, how the two of them were destined to be together.
But how could Claire accept that?
The more they pushed, the more determined she became.
Adrien Lefèvre was absolutely not her choice.
She left the bar.
Claire walked alone along the tree-lined path by the river.
The water here actually smelled unpleasant.
But—
She liked this feeling of being alone, especially late at night.
There was no one around.
Only silence, and the soft rustle of wind through the leaves.
It was October.
Late autumn, edging toward early winter.
The weather was gradually growing colder.
Claire wore a thin, one-shoulder dress and high heels.
A gust of wind passed, and goosebumps instantly rose on her pale skin.
She folded her arms and rubbed her shoulders.
"Even if I don't want to inherit the Bai family, I still won't marry Adrien Lefèvre."
Her beautiful eyes were firm as she whispered through clenched teeth.
"Hm…"
Suddenly, her stomach churned.
She felt nauseous.
I drank too much earlier.
Drip.
A light rain began to fall, the breeze and drizzle making the early-morning air even colder.
Thinking about the pressure she'd been under, Claire's eyes reddened.
Why… why is everyone like this?
A deep sense of grievance welled up in her chest, and her vision blurred.
Just as tears were about to fall—
A hand suddenly extended a tissue in front of her.
"Wipe your face."
A gentle, magnetic male voice sounded beside her.
Claire raised her head.
What entered her sight was a handsome face—sharp features, a faint smile. His eyes were bright like stars, his brows straight and defined.
She froze.
Instinctively, suspicion surfaced in her heart.
Why does this man look a bit like Adrien's follower?
The corners of the man's lips curved upward as he spoke smoothly."Miss Bai, my name is Lucas."
Claire studied him, puzzled.
Wasn't he supposed to be following Adrien at all times?
How did he appear here?
Could Adrien have sent him?
Her eyes cooled instantly, her voice turning sharp."What are you doing here?"
She disliked anyone connected to Adrien.
"Go back and tell Adr—"
Before she could finish, Lucas interrupted her gently.
"Miss Bai, I wasn't sent by Adrien."
He looked at her calmly and added with a faint smile,"Besides, do you really think Adrien would allow a man close to your age to approach you?"
Claire was startled.
Then she nodded.
That was true.
Adrien's desire for control was nearly pathological.
Even if another man exchanged just a few words with her, Adrien would remember it—and soon disappear from her sight.
Because he'd already been warned.
So there was no way Lucas had been sent.
Thinking this through, Claire hesitated briefly, then reached out and took the tissue.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Lucas laughed lightly."You're welcome. I just can't stand seeing beautiful women cry."
"Especially someone as beautiful as you."
Hearing this, Claire looked at him carefully.
There was only faint appreciation in his eyes—no impurity, no ulterior motive.
Despite herself, the corners of her lips lifted slightly.
After all, what woman doesn't like hearing praise for her looks?
But when she thought of the relationship between Lucas and Adrien, her smile gradually faded.
Seeing her fall silent, Lucas walked to her side and leaned his elbows against the stone railing by the river.
Looking at the scenery across the water, he sighed softly."It's beautiful."
Though even he wasn't sure whether he meant the scenery—or the person beside him.
Claire remained silent.
Lucas spoke quietly, as if to himself."In the past few years, I've built my business up step by step on my own. Somewhere along the way, I think I lost myself."
"I don't even know when I started trying to please Adrien—giving him opportunities, sacrificing my own."
"I gained a lot… but I lost a lot too."
Claire frowned slightly.
Self-made?
So powerful?
Lucas continued without looking at her."I can see that you dislike him, Miss Bai."
"I'm not here to persuade you."
"I just want to tell you—stick to your own beliefs. Don't let anyone sway you."
After saying that, Lucas straightened and smiled faintly."I've said too much. It's getting late."
"Miss Bai, do you need me to take you home?"
Claire looked at him quietly.
After a long moment, she nodded slightly.
"Okay."
She turned and walked toward the Porsche Cayenne.
Watching her slender back, the smile on Lucas's face slowly deepened—then faded just as quickly.
"I'm sorry, big brother," he muttered inwardly. "I really didn't mean to flirt."
"It's just that my 'sea-king' nature is hard to change."
"Next time… I'll restrain myself."