CHAPTER 75: CHAPTER 75: REWARD (NEW)

In the afternoon, Mason Lynch moved the CEO’s laptop, along with the contracts, reports, and several proposals and project books needed in the upcoming days, into Talia’s hospital room, even setting up a desk and chair inside.

Although Talia had hired a caregiver, Adrian Jennings was still hands-on in taking care of her at the hospital.

In truth, there wasn’t much Adrian needed to do—nurses took care of injections and IVs, an auntie prepared meals, and caregivers handled cleaning and bringing tea and water.

Yet, Adrian Jennings, despite being extremely busy, always seemed to find work for himself.

Talia casually mentioned that he made soup for Selina Hughes. Even though he hadn’t actually made the soup, when Talia got upset, Adrian promised to find time the next morning to go home and make soup for her.

When meals were prepared and brought over by the auntie, Adrian personally laid them out on the small table and fed Talia spoonful by spoonful.

Talia smiled somewhat helplessly, "I’m not a child, I can eat by myself."

"No, you have an IV in your hand; it’s inconvenient."

After the meal, Talia had to take medicine, and Adrian poured water for her and supervised her taking it.

Even when Talia wanted some fruit, Adrian personally peeled or sliced it for her.

Talia laughed, looking at the pile of documents on his desk, "Aren’t you very busy?"

"No matter how busy I am, I can’t have my wife feeling neglected."

The caregiving auntie smiled lovingly from the side, "Miss Rhodes, your husband really loves you."

Talia’s cheeks heated up, and her earlobes turned red. She didn’t deny the auntie’s words.

After the caregiver left, Adrian sat behind the desk and raised his eyes to look at her, with a smile in his gaze, "Admitting I’m your husband now?"

Talia winked at him, "Didn’t you say I’d be your wife eventually? I’m not planning to run, nor can I escape, so I’ll have to accept it."

The man’s lips curved, "That’s more like it."

...

Under Adrian Jennings’ careful care, Talia quickly recovered and was discharged.

After finishing a period of work, Adrian finally had some free time as a challenging project had been completed, and he planned to take Talia on a trip to relax,

The last time he took Talia to watch the meteor shower, Selina Hughes disrupted it, so they couldn’t fully enjoy themselves. After returning, Talia was troubled at a family banquet by her grandmother, and Adrian felt really guilty. He hoped to use this trip to strengthen their relationship.

He asked for Talia’s opinion, and coincidentally, she had just settled a few cases and had some free time while awaiting trials, having three to four days available, so she agreed to travel with him.

Due to Talia’s limited time, they decided not to go abroad.

The travel destination is a famous domestic site.

A quaint little town nestled at the foot of a snow-capped mountain in the northwest region.

The place was chosen by Talia; she’d wanted to go there for the past two years but had been delayed by various affairs.

...

Ethan Grant received a call from his brother Aaron Lynch just as he finished a meeting.

"Aaron, what’s up?" Ethan asked while walking back to his office with the phone.

Aaron Lynch said, "Brother, guess who I just saw?"

"Who?"

Aaron’s tone sounded quite excited, "Guess, come on."

Ethan, a bit impatient, said, "I don’t feel like guessing, I’m very busy. If there’s nothing urgent, I’ll hang up first."

Before, Ethan and Aaron were alike—living extravagantly, idle and carefree, squandering money recklessly thanks to their wealthy families.

After The Grant Group fell into crisis, Ethan reeled in his behavior significantly and began to focus on company affairs, seeking investment everywhere.

Upon discovering Talia Rhodes’ identity as a rich heiress, Ethan regretted deeply.

Now he had taken on the demeanor of a company manager, no longer idle and unproductive every day, with ever fewer interactions with Aaron.

Aaron chuckled, "Hey, you definitely wouldn’t guess. I just saw your ex-girlfriend Talia Rhodes."

Ethan’s steps paused.

Already at the office door, he stopped without any intention of entering.

Aaron paused briefly then continued, "And her boyfriend, that Crown Prince from The Jennings Family. They seem to get along well; look quite affectionate, holding hands even while walking."

Ethan stayed silent for a moment.

He breathed heavily, his voice turning tense and hoarse, "Where?"

"In Anford Riverbend Old Town, at the foot of Mount Aeridor."

...

Talia organized the accommodations for this trip.

The old town hasn’t been fully developed yet; it’s small, lacks star-rated hotels, only offering homestay lodgings.

Talia booked a homestay with a good location; open the window, and you could see the snow-capped mountain.

Now’s the tourist season for Riverbend Old Town; there are plenty of people in town, very lively.

On the first day after arrival, weary from travel, Talia and Adrian Jennings didn’t go anywhere, just snuggled inside to watch a movie.

Talia turned on the TV and chose a classic romance film starring James McAvoy and Keira Knightley, "Atonement."

With the heating ample inside, dim, muted lighting, the atmosphere felt intimate.

Talia leaned on Adrian’s shoulder, focusing on the movie.

Even though she knew it was a tragedy in advance, Talia couldn’t help but shed tears at the ending.

The girl’s eyes turned red, her voice choking, "Such a pity that Cecilia and Robbie loved each other so much, yet lost so many years due to Briony’s lie; they never even got to meet again."

Talia sighed, indignant, "Ha, atonement, what could Briony use to atone? Her sins are eternal, the main characters lost their lives, and they’ll never meet again."

Adrian gently patted Talia’s back for comfort, "They’ve met in another world."

Outside, heavy snow began to fall.

Riverbend Old Town was located rather north, at the foot of a snow-capped mountain, entering winter earlier than Oakhaven.

Snowflakes fluttered down.

Adrian kissed Talia’s forehead, "Talia, it’s snowing."

Talia was still immersed in the movie, her mood low.

Adrian embraced Talia, drawing closer until their noses touched.

The man, in an affectionate whisper that could melt butter, said, "Talia, stop crying, otherwise your eyes will swell tomorrow, and how will we take pictures?"

Talia sniffed, eyeing him with amusement.

What kind of consolation was that?

But it made sense; girls like to take beautiful photos.

Getting red and swollen eyes makes for unflattering pictures, which was definitely undesirable.

Talia listened, slowly calming her feelings, collecting her tears.

Adrian gently wiped the tears from her face with his thumb, "Good children get rewards."

Saying this, he extended his hand, revealing the candy in his palm.

Talia, with a heavy nasal sound, said, "Just like coaxing a child."

Adrian laughed lovingly, "You are a child, my child."

Talia picked up the candy from his hand, peeled off the wrapping paper, and popped it into her mouth.

It was her favorite peach flavor.

With Adrian’s coaxing and a piece of candy, Talia’s mood improved considerably.

"Feeling better?" the man’s voice slightly hoarse.

Talia responded with an "Mm."

Adrian leaned closer, whispering in Talia’s ear, "Now that I’ve cheered you up, should you give me a small reward too?"