CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 74: OVERT FLIRTATION OR SUBTLE SEDUCTION

The phone on the central console rang throughout the drive.

On the screen, Chloe Lynch’s name lit up for a long time before hanging up, and then it rang again after a while.

Again and again.

Adrian Lockwood never answered.

He couldn’t help but think of Serena Sinclair.

In the past few years, coming home late was common for him.

But Serena would only call once and not again.

If he said he’d be right back, no matter how long it took, Serena would wait for him to have dinner together.

At the dinner table, Miles would complain he was starving and grumble why his dad didn’t come back earlier.

Serena, with a gentle voice, would console their son while serving him soup and chopsticks.

If he said he wasn’t coming home, what awaited him would be that warm yellow light and a comforting sober-up soup.

Years passed just like that.

He had once jokingly asked her: Do you trust me that much?

In his memory, Serena’s smile was gentle and poised: Of course. You are my husband, whom would I trust if not you?

The warmth of those days lingered in his mind.

But suddenly, at dinner time, she didn’t even ask if they wanted to stay for a meal before heartlessly asking them to leave.

Looking up, in the rear safety seat, Miles wasn’t watching his tablet as usual.

The little guy hung his head, looking wilted.

"What’s wrong?"

Adrian Lockwood asked.

Miles shook his head, not speaking.

The car stopped at the villa door, and as soon as it did, the door opened, Chloe Lynch rushed out, "Where have you been? Why are you just coming back now?"

In the afternoon, the kindergarten called, saying Miles was feeling unwell.

Since he had nothing on hand, Adrian Lockwood said he would pick him up.

She thought that it was a rare early-end Friday, he would take her along, and then they’d have a family dinner and maybe catch a movie.

But no.

Adrian Lockwood simply said she didn’t need to pick up Miles and left.

Without a legitimate excuse, Chloe Lynch was busy at work until six and left at normal time.

But rushing home, the house was empty.

He didn’t pick up the calls.

Didn’t reply to texts.

All she kept picturing was Adrian Lockwood taking Miles to find Serena.

Chloe Lynch panicked.

Carefully studying Adrian Lockwood’s expressions, she couldn’t perceive anything.

Chloe Lynch opened the back car door to hold Miles’s hand, "Miles, what’s bothering you?"

Usually, Miles would call her Aunt Chloe easily, but today he was silent like a shut clam.

Leaping out of the car, he dashed into his room and wouldn’t open the door despite her knocking, nor did he respond.

In the living room, Adrian Lockwood paused, "You didn’t cook?"

The dining table was empty.

A faint smell of food lingered in the air, coming from the trash can with takeout boxes.

Chloe Lynch’s face subtly changed, hesitantly saying, "I came home and saw no one was here, so I thought you weren’t coming back for dinner. I called you, but you didn’t answer, and I..."

So she ordered takeout.

Adrian Lockwood’s face darkened instantly.

Sulking with anger.

Coming home to not even a warm meal.

Great!

Fantastic!

"Chloe Lynch, is this what you mean by living well?"

He opened the fridge, which had vegetables and fruits all available.

Yet the fruit tray was empty.

Ordinary family meals were rare.

Adrian Lockwood took a deep breath, turning to look at Chloe Lynch, "I know, balancing work and family is hard for you. So, you can either focus on work, and I’ll arrange for a housekeeper to handle things at home, and you don’t have to pick Miles anymore."

Her heart was racing uncontrollably.

Chloe Lynch thought Adrian Lockwood was about to kick her out.

Then, she heard Adrian Lockwood say, "Or, you hand over the work to someone else and be a full-time mom at home."

She paused, feeling a burst of joy inside.

This week was the most chaotic and overwhelming of her life so far.

Waking Miles up early, then making breakfast and waking Adrian Lockwood.

After breakfast, they’d leave together, and arriving at the company, the chaos would escalate further.

Chloe Lynch only realized now how much Ian Young had previously managed.

Despite being extra careful, mistakes were rampant.

In the tea room, restroom, cafeteria...

She already heard endless complaints about her, saying she’s taking on porcelain work without the right skills.

Her strength was drained, Chloe Lynch hadn’t slept well for a single day.

Unexpectedly, hope fell from the skies!

No need to deal with the mess at the company anymore, and soon, she could live like Serena, enjoying leisurely every day.

With Miles at preschool, she’d have plenty of free time, to sleep or binge-watch shows, and could meet girlfriends for shopping and spa, life couldn’t be more wonderful.

As for Adrian Lockwood, with loads of time during the day, she could pop by anytime to keep an eye on things if she wanted to.

In the grand scheme, nothing was more important than Adrian Lockwood!

Pacifying him and getting a certificate early to become the true Mrs. Lockwood was her top priority now.

"Adrian, really?"

Chloe Lynch approached and held Adrian Lockwood’s arm, "I want to help you at the company, and take care of you and Miles at home, but I really... can’t be everywhere at once!"

"Then on Monday you go to the company and hand over your tasks, and stay at home."

Seeing Chloe Lynch’s interest, Adrian Lockwood made the decision.

Then, he sighed, "Do we have food? Miles and I haven’t eaten dinner yet."

"Yes, yes..."

Chloe Lynch nodded, "Then you go get Miles for dinner."

Adrian Lockwood turned towards the kids’ room.

A few minutes later, facing the table with one big and one small box of instant noodles.

Adrian Lockwood’s eyebrows furrowed tight enough to squash a mosquito.

...

At the apartment’s floor-to-ceiling window, Serena Sinclair was messaging Julian Rivera back, [There’s no time like the present, what about tomorrow? Are you free, Young Master Rivera?]

Julian Rivera replied instantly, [Absolutely available! Even if it rains knives, I’ll be there!]

They arranged to meet at noon tomorrow, and Serena Sinclair sent her address to him.

Then she messaged Una Hutton and Cora Rivera.

Una Hutton replied right away, [Don’t wait till noon tomorrow, your dear friend is already on the subway, will be there in half an hour!]

Serena Sinclair: ...What a close call!

Cora Rivera took over half an hour to reply, [Sure, sure!]

Ten minutes later, in the Hillcrest Villa’s living room, Cora Rivera was stunned.

The empty villa was all brand new.

As if no one had ever stayed.

A strong scent of air freshener still lingered in the air.

Where are they?

The cats?

If she hadn’t come over to pet the cats last night, Cora Rivera would almost think she was seeing things.

She dialed Wyatt Hawthorne.

The call rang for a long time before connecting, a cold voice on the other end, "Hello?"

"Brother, did you... move?"

"Mm."

"Miss Rhodes boldly guessed, you wouldn’t have... moved beneath Serena’s apartment, would you?"

"No."

"Oh."

"Upstairs."

"..."

"Tomorrow at 11:30, come to my place first! Just say, I drove you over. And... if you let the cat out of the bag..."

Through the phone, an inexplicable chill crept up her neck.

Cora Rivera quickly replied, "I won’t! I promise, absolutely won’t!"

"Good..."

The other voice lazily said, "See you tomorrow!"

Ending the call, she saw the address Serena Sinclair sent.

1901.

Brother moved upstairs from Serena’s.

Which means... 2001?

19.

20.

[Endlessly? Love you? Brother, is this overt teasing or subtle flirting?]

[You really know how to play! Sister is impressed!!!]