Chapter 2

Lily's laughter grew more and more unrestrained.

Adrian looked at my ashen face and finally snapped at her in a low voice. "Enough."

Lily immediately flung his arm away, tears springing to her eyes instantly. "You're scolding me? You're actually scolding me for Elena?"

"Since we were kids, even my own brother couldn't bear to say a harsh word to me!"

"Go live with Elena then. I never want to talk to you again!"

She ran off crying, and Adrian didn't even glance at me before chasing after her in a few quick strides.

"Why are you running off like that? There are so many cars out there. What if one hits you?"

Lily turned her head away sulkily, refusing to look at him. "Then let them run me over. My brother's already dead anyway, and now even you don't want me."

Adrian's voice softened instantly. He reached out and pulled her into a hug.

"I never said I didn't want you."

"In my heart, you'll always come first."

Lily shot me a smug look, then, seeing my expressionless face, pursed her lips in boredom.

Adrian led her back to me by the hand.

"Sorry. Lily's been spoiled by all of us since she was little. She doesn't know how to hold her tongue. Don't take it personally."

I raised my head and asked him, "So everything she just said, is it true?"

Adrian's expression stiffened for a moment. "The store called me today. The ring is ready. I'll propose to you again."

I laughed coldly. "You're already registered as married. What's the point of proposing again?"

"Adrian Black, I don't want secondhand goods that have already been married off."

Adrian went silent for a moment, then, with rare patience, tried to explain.

"Her brother, Luca, died saving my life back then. Lily lost her only family."

"I promised Luca I'd give her a family in return. Registering the marriage is the only way to make her feel safe."

"You should be more accommodating with her. Don't fuss over these things."

When Lily first came to make a scene at my company, Adrian had said the same thing.

Lily has no family. She's pitiful. So I should give in to her. Lily is just too afraid of losing him. So I should understand her.

But I was pitiful too.

Who was going to understand me?

Adrian softened his tone. "I promise, this is the last time. I won't let her go to your workplace and cause trouble again."

Lily also clung to his arm and spoke up. "Alright, alright, I swear, I'll never play this catch-the-mistress game again. Satisfied?"

"When are we going to eat? I skipped breakfast today, and I'm starving."

Adrian's expression turned serious immediately. "Who told you to skip breakfast? Did you already forget about fainting from low blood sugar last time?"

He scolded her a few times in anger, then turned his head and gave me a light, fleeting glance.

"Lily already swore. Stop holding onto this."

"You go home first. I'll take her to eat."

Their backs grew farther and farther away from me.

My phone screen suddenly lit up. It was a notification from the HR manager.

The company had decided to cancel my hire.

No amount of promises could bring back what I'd already lost.

I stared at the message for a few seconds, then, swallowing my pride, reached back out to the overseas offer I'd turned down last time.

They replied quickly.

"Stone, we were just comparing a few candidates on our end and were about to reach out to you again. If you're willing to join, come report tomorrow morning at nine."

Only after booking a predawn flight did I reply with a single word.

"Okay."