Over the past few days, Adrian and Riley had become practically inseparable. They went to work together, went to the university together, left together, and came home together. No one knew exactly what had changed, but everyone could feel it. The "foolish" madam was clearly being treated very differently now.
And whenever Adrian was in a good mood, the entire atmosphere at Clearbrook Estate changed with him. The tension that usually hung over the place seemed to dissolve, and even the staff moved more lightly, with smiles lingering on their faces.
It was another weekend morning when the two of them came downstairs as usual and sat down for breakfast. Riley had just reached for a plate of nasi lemak when Martha hurried over and stopped her.
"Madam, have this instead."
She set a small porcelain pot in front of Riley. Riley blinked and looked up at her. "What's this, Mrs Rose?"
With a mysterious smile, Martha lifted the lid. Inside was a rich, fragrant pot of herbal chicken soup with red dates and ginseng.
"This isn't just any chicken soup," she said proudly. "I used my secret recipe. Madam, have a taste."
As she spoke, she ladled out a bowl for Riley.
Riley's face flushed at once. "No, I'm not drinking that." She immediately pushed the bowl away. "Who drinks chicken soup this early in the morning?"
It was not the soup itself that bothered her. It was the looks. Everyone around them was staring at her with the same subtle, knowing expression, and there was something far too suggestive about it.
Riley wanted to vanish on the spot.
Martha, however, looked completely understanding. "Madam, it's good for your health. You're too weak. This will help nourish you. Come on, just drink a little."
"I said no."
Riley shook her head firmly, then looked up and met Adrian's eyes. The smile on his face was far too knowing, and her embarrassment instantly turned into annoyance.
It was all his fault. We have not even done anything, yet everyone in the house was acting as if something already had.
No matter how Martha coaxed, Riley refused to touch the soup. At last, Adrian spoke.
"Martha, take it away for now. There's no need to prepare these things yet. If we need them later, I'll let you know."
"Ah, alright, alright."
Martha did not look disappointed in the slightest. If anything, she seemed even more delighted after hearing that. Beaming from ear to ear, she carried the soup away.
Riley froze.
Her face burned.
Did he really just say that?
After breakfast, they got ready and headed to the Yates Estate. Ever since Riley had removed the nails from Mrs. Hales, Lucas had been in charge of her follow-up treatment. His medical skills were reliable enough, so there was no need for Riley to return under Sheena's identity again.
The car moved smoothly toward the estate. Inside, Riley gradually grew drowsy, her head swaying slightly with the motion. Before she realized it, she had leaned against something warm and steady and fallen asleep.
Adrian lowered his gaze to where she rested against his lap, a quiet smile flickering in his eyes. He did not wake her until they arrived.
The moment they stepped into the house, a loud, shrill voice rang through the air.
"The fool is here! The fool is back! The fool's in the house!"
Echo flapped its wings excitedly and circled around Riley, chirping without pause. Laughter broke out across the living room.
Riley's expression darkened. She glared at the bird and snapped, "You fat bird, have you been bullying other birds again? Serves you right that nobody wants to be your friend."
Echo gave an offended huff and flew back to perch on top of its cage.
Arthur watched the exchange with a pleased smile. One of the nearby servants chuckled and said, "Madam, you misunderstood Echo. It flew out of the attic this morning. We thought it was just playing around, but it actually went to the tree by the gate to wait for you."
She smiled warmly as she continued, "It stayed there the whole time. The moment it saw your car arrive, it flew back on its own."
Riley gave a small huff, then pushed Adrian toward the living room, only to stop short when she noticed someone else there.
Adrian's brows drew together slightly. The warmth on his face vanished at once, replaced by cold indifference.
The moment Felicia saw him, she stood up. Her eyes locked onto his face, and she could not seem to look away.
"Mr. Adrian..."
He did not even spare her a glance.
Instead, he turned to Arthur, who sat there as leisurely as if everything were perfectly normal. The displeasure on Adrian's face was unmistakable.
Arthur chuckled. "It's the weekend, so I invited Felicia over. The two of you can get to know each other. If things go well, she can go back to Clearbrook Estate with you today."
The words landed like ice, as though Riley did not exist at all.
The cheerful atmosphere from moments earlier disappeared in an instant.
Adrian shot Riley a quick glance. She was still wearing a faint smile, as if she had not heard a thing. Only then did the tightness in his chest ease, though just slightly. The coldness in his eyes, however, deepened.
Across the room, Arthur was watching Riley too, but she showed no reaction at all. Not even the slightest flicker.
For some reason, that unsettled him more than anger would have.
The only one visibly delighted was Felicia. Her eyes brightened at once, filled with hope and expectation.
Adrian finally spoke. "And what exactly would she do at Clearbrook Estate?"
Arthur frowned. "Of course she'd take care of you. What else?"
As if that foolish wife of yours could.
Adrian gave a quiet, thoughtful "Oh," then smiled faintly. "Clearbrook Estate doesn't lack servants. If Felicia insists on coming, I'm afraid she'll be wasted there."
The room fell silent.
Felicia's smile froze on her face.
Arthur's expression darkened. "What are you implying? Felicia is a well-bred young lady. Since when did she become a servant in your eyes?"
Adrian looked at him with mild puzzlement. "If she's not a servant, then what position would she hold while living there?" he asked evenly. "Or is she supposed to keep vigil for my parents?"
Arthur's temper flared immediately.
His meaning had been obvious, but Adrian was deliberately pretending not to understand, and there was no way Arthur could state it outright in front of everyone.
What was I supposed to say? That I wanted him to keep another woman by his side?
Of course not.
This was supposed to be preparation for the future. Sooner or later, Adrian would divorce Riley anyway. Would it not be better for Felicia to move in early, get used to the place, and deepen their relationship first?
And yet this ungrateful child refused to see it.
Arthur let out a sharp snort. "You know exactly what I mean."
Adrian merely adjusted his cuffs and said nothing.
Felicia's eyes flickered, and then she stepped forward, taking Riley's hand gently. Her voice turned soft and sweet.
"Riley, why don't you let me stay with you? We used to live together before, and I'm still not used to being apart from you. Don't worry. I'll take good care of you."
As she spoke, her fingers suddenly tightened, and her sharp nails dug into Riley's skin.
But in the very next second, Riley flipped her wrist and caught Felicia's hand instead.
Her expression remained innocent, and her voice stayed light.
"Felicia, did you forget something?"
She tilted her head slightly, then smiled.
"We never lived together before. You and Elaine had the big room. I slept in the storage room."
Felicia's face changed instantly.
It was not just because of the words. Riley's grip hurt.
Damn it. Why is she so strong?
If she said that out loud in front of Adrian, what was he going to think now?