"Bye-bye." May Miller sat in the front passenger seat of Chloe Frost's car, rolled the window down, and waved goodbye to Riley Palmer, Adrian Carter, and the others by the roadside.The car slowly drove away.
Caleb Montgomery leaned against Leonard Sterling and tugged at his sleeve. "Leonard Sterling, let's go too."
Leonard Sterling lowered his gaze to look at him. "You didn't bring a car?"
Caleb shook his head and waved his hand. "No, I got a ride with someone just now."
Leonard Sterling quietly watched him continue to mumble to himself, then sighed softly. "Let's go."
Leonard Sterling walked ahead, deliberately slowing his pace.
Caleb hurried after him. "Leonard Sterling, wait for me." As he spoke, he turned back. "Adrian, Riley, we're leaving first. Congratulations to you two, remember to invite us to the wedding banquet."
A black Bentley sped past Riley Palmer and Adrian Carter. The driver's skills were steady, and even at high speed, the car didn't jolt.
"Going back?" Adrian Carter gently held Riley Palmer's hand and looked at her slowly.
Riley Palmer answered softly, "Mm," her ears turning red.
Adrian Carter smiled quietly and led the girl back to his apartment.
"Have a sip to warm yourself up." Adrian Carter made a cup of hot black tea and handed it to Riley Palmer, who was curled up.
Riley Palmer's round eyes quietly appeared before him. Like a well-behaved little rabbit, she slowly pushed aside the thick quilt wrapped around her, revealing her round little head and beautiful eyes.
Looking at the girl holding the cup, Adrian Carter's heart instantly warmed. He gently stroked her head.
It gave him a great sense of satisfaction.
"Are you busy tomorrow?" Adrian Carter sat down lightly behind Riley Palmer and wrapped her tightly in his arms.
Riley Palmer paused for a moment and thought. "Busy. I need to deal with the follow-up construction tomorrow."
A flicker passed through Adrian Carter's eyes, and he lowered his gaze slightly. "Okay, focus on your work first."
The words about taking Riley Palmer to design a wedding dress were slowly swallowed back down.
Watching the girl concentrate on her work messages, Adrian Carter quietly took the empty cup and left the bedroom.
Buzz—
Standing at the sink, Adrian Carter noticed a new message. He slowly wiped his wet hands and opened it.
[Nina. Contact information]
Looking at the message sent by Leonard Sterling, he raised an eyebrow slightly.
[She's a wedding dress designer. Her reputation in the industry is quite big.]
Adrian Carter smiled softly. He had never said that it was a wedding dress that needed designing.
Leonard Sterling was still far too perceptive. In front of him, Caleb was practically a helpless little kitten.
Adrian Carter lightly tapped the screen.
[Thank you.]
He put away his phone and looked into the silent bedroom.
His steps slowed as he quietly looked inside and saw a ball of fluffy pajamas curled up.
He smiled lightly.
Riley Palmer breathed softly, curled up on Adrian Carter's pillow. From time to time, she rubbed her face against it, trying to feel the warmth of the man.
Adrian Carter lifted the blanket and gently covered her.
Then he slowly walked to the side of the bed, lay down, hugged the girl, pulled her close against him, and lightly patted her on the back. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Good night, my Riley."
The next day.
Birdsong from the trees outside the window gradually rose. Riley Palmer frowned slightly and shifted her body.
Adrian Carter, as if sensing her movement, softly pulled her closer, his voice low. "Sleep a bit more."
Riley Palmer didn't move again. She quietly leaned into his arms, breathing in his faint scent, slowly putting her heart at ease.
Adrian Carter smiled softly, savoring the time that belonged only to them.
Ring—
Riley Palmer opened her eyes and reached to the side to turn off the alarm.
"Adrian, it's time to get up." Riley Palmer gently patted his chest, her sweet voice entering his ear.
Adrian Carter slowly turned over and pinned her down. "Okay, Riley."
Riley Palmer smiled softly and played with his hair. "Stop acting cute."
Adrian Carter held up his head and laughed as he watched her walk toward the bathroom.
Clang—
Ignoring Riley Palmer's shocked expression, Adrian Carter walked straight over and sat down on the toilet.
Ever since Riley Palmer started staying at his place often, Adrian Carter had basically started sitting down to use the toilet.
He had browsed many websites which said that when men stand to use the toilet, it could negatively affect a woman's physical and mental well-being.
"Adrian, I'm in here…" Riley Palmer mumbled, her words unclear.
"I know," Adrian Carter tilted his head and looked at her.
Riley Palmer's eyes widened as she stared at him blankly.
Adrian Carter burst out laughing. Seeing her stunned expression, he spread his hands. "Is there any part of my body you haven't seen?"
He stood up and walked toward her, gently brushing the foam away from the corner of her lips. "Riley, haven't you taken a good look at it in your everyday life?"
A blush instantly spread across Riley Palmer's cheeks. "Adrian!"
He didn't respond. He just walked out. "Once you're done, come out for breakfast."
Riley Palmer stared blankly at his departing figure, then turned to look at herself in the mirror, her cheeks flushed.
She weakly pounded the counter. "Ahhh! I fell for it again!"
Adrian Carter was busy in the kitchen, working with two pans.
One was used to boil nutritious, tasty eggs, while the other steamed soup dumplings and buns.
When Riley Palmer came out, she immediately smelled the delicious aroma filling the apartment.
Her eyes lit up as she walked toward the dining table.
Adrian Carter lightly laughed while listening to her footsteps. "Be careful, it's hot."
He brought over the steaming eggs and bacon.
"Western or Asian, for madam to choose." He slightly lowered his head, spreading his hands open.
Riley Palmer sat down lightly. "Mm, the food you make, sir, is exactly to my taste."
"Thank you, sir." Riley Palmer gently kissed Adrian Carter on the cheek as she looked at him.
He froze for a moment, then smiled and watched the girl eat her breakfast.
The two of them walked to work hand in hand, their fingers tightly interlaced.
Feeling the glances from others, Riley Palmer became slightly uncomfortable.
She gently pulled her hand away and walked straight toward the stairs.
She didn't notice that from the moment she let go, Adrian Carter had frozen in place.
Only after Riley Palmer sat down at her desk did she suddenly realize he hadn't followed her in.
Worried, she took out her phone and looked for him.
[Adrian, where did you go?]
She waited for a long while, but her phone didn't vibrate.
A dull heaviness formed in her chest.
"President Adrian." Nalya Zulky's voice slowly drifted into Riley Palmer's ears.
She quickly raised her head and saw Adrian Carter at the doorway.
There was no longer the warmth from the morning in his eyes, only cold indifference as he looked at her.
It felt like that gaze was blocking her heart. Distracted, Riley Palmer processed the documents Yulius Linn had prepared.
Conference room.
Adrian Carter coldly watched Riley Palmer presenting the project progress. His gaze was dark and deep.
Leonard Sterling noticed the panic in her eyes, then glanced at the silent Adrian Carter behind her and raised his eyebrows slightly.
After Riley Palmer finished speaking, she quietly looked at Adrian Carter at the center, his face still dark.
Seeing the tension between them, Leonard Sterling spoke up to ease it. "Personally, I think the project's progress has far exceeded my original expectations." He slowly turned his chair and looked at Adrian Carter. "Adrian, what do you think?"
Adrian Carter spun the pen in his hand lightly and answered with a faint "Mm," his head lowering slightly as he did so.
"Meeting adjourned." He put down the pen, watched everyone leave, and slowly stood up to leave the conference room.
Only Riley Palmer and Leonard Sterling remained.
Riley Palmer kept her head lowered, gripping the folder in her hands tightly.
This time, Adrian Carter was really angry.
Leonard Sterling watched Adrian Carter pause at the door as he left. He chuckled lightly, then got up, straightened his suit, walked to Riley Palmer's front, and held out a tissue. "Had a fight?"
Riley Palmer's eyes were slightly red as she lifted her head and glanced at him. "Thank you."
She didn't answer his question and silently wiped away her tears.
Leonard Sterling sighed helplessly, looked at the dark figure by the doorway, then spoke again, "If there's a problem, go and resolve it. Don't wait until both sides are exhausted and the feelings fade away."
After speaking, Leonard Sterling walked out of the conference room and looked at Adrian Carter by the door. He gave him a faint smile.
"I'm leaving." He patted Adrian Carter's shoulder and left Aurelius Group.
He didn't wait for Adrian Carter to try to stop him. Seeing the two of them like this, he had no intention of staying any longer.
He could only go find a restaurant and casually grab something to eat alone.