Felicia shot Adrian a panicked glance, only to realize he had not looked at her even once. Not once.
The cold indifference stung, and in that instant, all her resentment turned toward Riley.
She must have said something about me. Otherwise, why would he ignore me like this?
Felicia's lips trembled, and tears welled in her eyes almost at once. "Riley... if you don't like it, then I won't go," she said softly, her voice shaking just enough. "Please let go of me. You're hurting me."
She pulled her hand free and deliberately exposed the reddened marks on her arm, her expression turning pitiful and aggrieved.
"But this was Mr Arthur's arrangement. Shouldn't we respect our elders? How can you be so selfish and go against his wishes?"
Her voice grew even softer, trembling with practiced fragility.
"If you're unhappy, you can just say no. Why take it out on me? It really hurts..."
The faint red marks stood out starkly against her pale skin.
Just like that, the way everyone looked at Riley began to change. Even though most of them felt Arthur had gone too far, this kind of subtle retaliation still left a bad taste. No one had expected something so calculating from her. Could someone who was supposedly simple-minded really be this sly?
The shift in the room did not escape Adrian. His expression darkened, and he was just about to speak when Riley beat him to it.
She blinked at Felicia with wide, innocent eyes. "Oh? So my dear sister is that filial?"
Her tone was light, almost playful.
"Then why not ask Grandpa to adopt you as his god-granddaughter? That way, you can stay here every day and take care of him properly." Tilting her head, she smiled sweetly. "There aren't any elders at Clearbrook Estate. Or are you planning to follow us back and pray for my parents everyday?"
Felicia's expression froze.
"And besides," Riley added as she lifted her sleeve, "I didn't pinch you."
Her wrist came into view. Two sharp nail marks stood out on her skin. One nail had broken off, and a thin line of blood was seeping out.
"You were the one who dug your nails into me. I just reacted."
Then she turned to Adrian, and her voice softened at once. "Hubby, look. I'm bleeding. Blow on it for me?"
Silence fell over the room.
Then understanding dawned.
So that was what had happened. Felicia had struck first, and Riley had only reacted in self-defense. Yet Felicia had still tried to play the victim.
The realization hit everyone hard. Just moments ago, they had nearly misunderstood their harmless, gentle madam. Their expressions changed again, this time touched with quiet guilt.
Adrian's face darkened further. He reached for Riley's wrist and examined it carefully, then lifted his eyes and looked straight at Felicia.
That gaze was cold. Sharp enough to cut.
Felicia's legs almost gave out beneath her. She shrank back, trembling, unable to force out a single word.
That's impossible...
I barely pressed hard at all. How is she bleeding?
Worse, her own arm was still throbbing faintly, the ache sinking deeper beneath the skin. Yet on the surface, there was barely a mark.
How am I supposed to explain that?
Who would believe I have actually been hurt from something so small?
The feeling lodged in her chest was like swallowing something rotten. She was disgusted, helpless, and humiliated all at once.
Even Arthur looked at her now, disappointment flickering in his eyes.
So this is the "normal" one? Compared to Riley, she came up lacking. Her methods were crude, obvious, and embarrassingly amateur.
Arthur sighed inwardly. He had only wanted to make life easier for his grandson, to find someone considerate who could stay by his side and look after him.
But this...
Shaking off the thought, he forced himself to continue. "Well? Do you still refuse to let her go with you?"
A faint curve touched Adrian's lips.
Mocking.
"Why don't you ask Felicia instead," he said coolly, "whether she's willing to go with a man who has only half a month left to live?"
The words fell like a blade.
Felicia jolted violently, her eyes flying wide.
What? Half a month? He's dying?
She stared at Adrian in disbelief, then slowly turned to look at Arthur and Riley.
Neither of them said a word. Both lowered their heads in silence.
And in that instant, it clicked.
Yesterday, she had been dazzled by Riley and that luxury car. Then today, the Yates family had suddenly invited her over and given her a chance to live at Clearbrook Estate.
She had completely forgotten that Adrian was crippled, a man who did not have long left to live.
Something inside her chest cracked.
But almost immediately, a flicker of satisfaction rose in its place.
If that was true, then Riley would be a widow very soon.
The thought nearly made her happy.
Arthur shot her a sharp look. "Felicia, you heard what Adrian said. Are you willing to go with him to Clearbrook Estate?"
Felicia collected herself quickly, smoothing her expression into one of hesitation as she lowered her voice. "It's not that I'm unwilling, Mr Arthur. I just think my sister can take good care of Mr Adrian. And I still need to prepare for the freshman representative assembly. I have practice every day, so I'm afraid I really won't have the time."
Adrian let out a low chuckle. His brows lifted slightly as he glanced at Arthur, then, without another word, he turned his wheelchair and took Riley's hand.
"You can deal with whoever you invited here," he said calmly. "I'm taking Riley to the hospital."
Arthur glared at his retreating back. "Then go already. If you wait any longer, the wound will heal on its own, you useless boy."
From the side, Echo chirped loudly, "Useless. Useless."
Arthur burst out laughing. "That's right. Only Echo truly understands me."
But when he turned back to Felicia, the warmth on his face had cooled noticeably.
Outside, Adrian kept hold of Riley's hand, clearly intending to take her straight to the family doctor. She tugged free and frowned at him.
"It's nothing. Just a scratch. Are you really going to drag me to a doctor over this? People will laugh at me."
"Then I'll get some medicine," he said. "Go back to your room and wait for me."
"Okay."
She waved it off as if it meant nothing at all.
After a brief pause, Adrian added, "Don't take Grandpa's words to heart. No other woman will ever enter Clearbrook Estate."
His voice was steady and certain.
"That's my promise to you."
He paused again before saying, "And if you don't like coming here, I won't bring you back again."
Something stirred in Riley's chest, warm and soft.
Then she broke into a grin. "Why wouldn't I come? If I don't, how am I supposed to annoy him?"
She crossed her arms with a huff. "He wants to make things hard for me, so I'll just keep showing up and see whether it drives him crazy."
Adrian lowered his head, and a quiet laugh escaped him, clear and unrestrained.
Before they could part ways, a maid, Clara Hayes, came hurrying over.
"Master Adrian, Mrs. Hales heard you were here. She'd like to see you."
As she spoke, her eyes lingered on Adrian, and a flush spread across her cheeks.
Riley let out a soft laugh.
Oh. A secret admirer.
Adrian nodded. "Alright. I'll go see her first. I'll come find you later."
At once, Clara's face lit up. She stepped forward eagerly. "Then let me help you..."
She reached for the wheelchair, but before her hand could touch it, Riley moved.
Fast.
She stepped in front of her, grabbed the handles of the chair, and smiled brightly. "I'm going too. I'll push him. You can walk ahead and show us the way."
Clara froze, then shot Riley a sharp glare before turning stiffly toward the corridor.
"Right. This way."
Behind her, Adrian lowered his gaze, and the faintest smile flickered in his eyes.
They soon arrived outside Mrs. Hales's room. Clara stopped at the door and turned back expectantly.
"Madam, you probably won't go in," she said sweetly. "Let me take Master Adrian in..."