CHAPTER 186: CHAPTER 186: SO EARLY, WHO WERE YOU WITH?

Juliana was startled.

Elias Langley let go of her and went to shower; it shouldn’t be that fast.

She thought about rubbing her face before opening the door, but her hand froze halfway up.

Eventually, she turned around, rushed into the bathroom, washed her hands and face thoroughly, and then went to open the door.

Adrian Langley patiently waited at the door.

Seeing her open the door, he smiled.

"Hungry?" he asked.

"There’s cake in the fridge." Juliana stepped aside to let him in.

Adrian’s eyes showed a hint of disappointment as he walked in, and it was then that Juliana saw the insulated lunchbox in his hand.

"Put it on the table; let’s have this and then a snack later."

As Juliana finished speaking, Adrian’s eyes lit up again.

The lid was opened, revealing a bowl of spicy noodles.

The aroma immediately revealed its maker—Rosalind Linton’s craftsmanship.

Back when the Linton Family was struggling, a bowl of noodles made by Old Man Linton was a rare luxury for the family.

Today, this bowl of noodles was the only dish Rosalind Linton had inherited from Old Man Linton, the one that most resembled his skill.

"I just came back from getting a dressing change from her, and she asked me to bring this for you," Adrian said.

Juliana snapped back from her memories, her eyelashes fluttering, "What’s the matter?"

Adrian was silent for a while before speaking gravely, "I’ve been set up by Leona Sheridan, and I might go to jail."

Juliana was just about to start eating with her left hand but looked up because of what he said.

Adrian explained, "To secure his son’s position, he set up a shell company to trick me into signing a contract. Now the project might implode at any time, and if my dad finds out, he’ll definitely kick me out of the company or even send me to jail."

Juliana furrowed her brows.

Adrian suddenly grabbed her hand, "I’m not telling you this to ask for your help. I just want you to know the ins and outs. If something happens to me, could you... look after my mom for me?"

He paused, lowering his voice. "Because Leona Sheridan’s crony Nathan Chapman has been frequently appearing near Celestial Vista lately. I’m worried he’s found something out."

"A cockroach?" Juliana’s brow furrowed deeper.

"It’s Nathan Chapman."

Adrian corrected.

"He’s Leona Sheridan’s most capable henchman, dealing with all of Victor Langley’s flings. This man is ruthless and operates without boundaries; everyone fears him a bit. Before, I was afraid he’d harm you, so I had someone secretly keep tabs on him. I didn’t expect to find out he’s secretly investigating me for Leona Sheridan."

Juliana immediately understood that Rosalind Linton had her son bring this skillfully made bowl of noodles not just as a snack, but as a silent plea from a mother to save her son.

Juliana pondered for a moment, then looked at him intently, her voice teasing, "How about this, if you think you’re beyond saving, hurry up and write a will, and I’ll keep it for you."

Adrian, "..."

After a brief silence, Juliana asked about serious matters, "How’s the investigation on the Sinclair Family in Kingsford going?"

She stopped eating noodles and went to the fridge for cake.

"I heard Isabelle Sinclair’s father once held an extremely special position in a critical field, and there was even a bounty on his head from foreign forces back in the day. Because of this, much of their family’s information remains classified to this day."

The implication was that his avenues for investigation faced obstacles.

Juliana took a scoop of cake and didn’t inquire further.

Moments later, Adrian got up to leave.

However, Juliana got to the door first, peeking out cautiously, looking around, particularly scrutinizing the closed door next door before motioning him to tread lightly and hurry away.

Adrian found her series of somewhat ’suspicious’ actions baffling and left with a head full of confusion.

Not long after closing the door, Juliana’s phone buzzed.

The screen lit up with a text from Elias Langley, containing just a short sentence: "Am I a narrow-minded man?"

Juliana didn’t reply, but thought of his stern face in the room next door and couldn’t help but cover her face and laugh.

...

Elsewhere, Leona Sheridan returned to the Langley Residence, still fuming, and summoned her trusted Nathan Chapman.

"Did you find anything on Adrian Langley?"

Nathan lowered his head, "There’s a lead, but it’s still not clear."

Leona slammed her hand on the table, "You can’t even handle this little task? I’ve wasted my years nurturing you!"

Nathan protested, "We can’t make a move until we’re sure. Better to be thorough before acting, right?"

Leona snorted coldly, "Anyway, that kid’s going to jail soon. As long as his mother is alive, she’ll definitely ask my husband for help, so you must act first. Now, go do something else for me."

Nathan’s ears perked up.

"I don’t want to see Juliana appearing in front of Jared anymore. Find a way to make her ’disappear’ for a while, make sure it’s clean!"

Nathan looked troubled, "But the young master needs her right now, doesn’t he?"

Leona’s voice turned sinister, "I want you to create an illusion that she left without saying goodbye. During this time, I’ll arrange a marriage for Jared. When she returns, the position of the Langley Family’s young mistress will no longer be hers, and she’ll have to leave."

Nathan suddenly understood, "I get it; I’ll handle it."

...

The next morning, Juliana was pulled over to the next door.

Elias Langley personally cooked breakfast for her.

She leaned against the side, supervising while sipping milk.

Elias was halfway through frying eggs when Jared’s call came.

"I’m downstairs in the parking lot, here to take you to breakfast."

Juliana hesitantly looked at Elias.

The man at the stove paused slightly, then calmly reached out to turn off the frying pan.

This gesture seemed to imply consent and support her decision, but Juliana still acutely sensed his suppressed displeasure.

After hesitating briefly, she still said into the phone, "Okay, wait for me."

After hanging up, Juliana hugged him from behind, pressed her cheek to his broad back, and softly asked, "Are you mad?"

"A little."

Elias unhanded her and went to wash his hands.

Juliana followed him, whispering, "It’s only temporary."

"Go ahead," Elias removed his apron, pulled her in, and kissed her forehead, "I won’t ask why you have to move into the Langley Family, but I hope there are no barriers between us."

Juliana’s lashes fluttered.

The words she wanted to say were swallowed back.

Before being certain, some things couldn’t be revealed to him.

"I’ll tell you when I get back. Don’t be mad; remember to have breakfast too. I’ll go now."

Elias watched her departing figure, his gaze quietly growing darker.

...

Jared lounged lazily against the car just like last time.

If not for Ben Hayes in the driver’s seat, Juliana might almost mistake him for having regained his memory and reverting to the cunning and unpredictable eldest son of the Langley Family.

"Did the doctor allow you to be discharged?" Juliana asked.

The bandages on his forehead had been removed, but his eyes held a hidden depth, making him hard to approach.

Jared smiled gently, his gaze skimming over her slightly tense shoulders, his voice carrying a casual probe, "Who were you with so early?"