ログイン"Bianca, today isn't convenient. Let's meet another day."Adriana had just returned from picking Chris up at the hospital. The trip had already been exhausting enough. Although she didn't feel physically tired, she was mindful of the babies and planned to go home and rest after dinner.More importantly, she had a faint suspicion that Bianca's sudden request to see her might have come from Francesco.There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.After being refused, Bianca turned and pouted at Francesco.They had only just seen each other at the hospital entrance, yet he had insisted she call Adriana and ask to meet, even though Heidi had clearly said Adriana needed rest.Hearing no response from the other end, Adriana called out hesitantly, "Bianca?"Then she thought better of it and grew a little worried.Bianca was simple-minded, childlike, without many ulterior thoughts. Maybe she genuinely just wanted to see her. Being rejected might actually make her upset."Tak
Accompanying Sophia to the doctor had only been an excuse. Francesco's real purpose had been to come here in the hope of running into Adriana.…On the drive back, Adriana sat silently in the passenger seat.There were countless hospitals in Heatherton City. Francesco knew perfectly well that Chris was recovering at the Nash Hospital, yet he had still chosen to bring Sophia there.The world really was small.Even when she deliberately tried to avoid someone, she couldn't escape them.After a long silence, Chris said, "I'm sorry, Adriana. I only wanted to help you out of that situation, so I..."He trailed off, but Adriana already knew what he was trying to say."Don't say things like that again in the future. I don't want people to misunderstand our relationship. Still, thank you for helping me out."Her children didn't need a father at all costs. She believed she could raise them perfectly well on her own.Chris glanced at her through the rearview mirror and couldn't help as
The moment Francesco thought back to that night at the Stanley residence, his heartbeat quickened and his pupils contracted.For a moment, he didn't know what to say.All he could manage was a soft call of her name."Adriana."In his heart, he was already convinced that the child was his. Judging by the timing, the pregnancy was around six months along.No wonder Bianca had always been evasive whenever he asked about Adriana's situation. She must have been hiding the fact that Adriana was pregnant.Meeting that warm, intense gaze, Adriana instinctively placed a hand over her stomach, as though trying to shield it from view.Beside her, Chris moved slightly closer and said gently, "Adriana, let's go."She nodded."Bianca, Chris and I are heading back now."Bianca bent down and lightly touched her belly."Baby, I'll come visit you later and play with you, okay?"She stepped aside, leaving Francesco and Sophia standing directly in front of Adriana.Feigning composure, Adriana
Adriana: [I call that killing two birds with one stone.]As she sent the message, she made no effort to hide it from Heidi. In fact, she deliberately angled the screen toward her so they could read it together.After reading the exchange, Heidi asked worriedly, "Will Master Chris's health really recover?"Although Chris had made some foolish mistakes in the past, she had watched him grow up. Ever since his car accident, she had been worrying about him constantly."It definitely will."Setting down her phone, Adriana spoke with complete certainty."Alex has been coordinating a customized treatment plan for him with some of the world's top medical experts. He's already much better than before.""Then tomorrow, I'll go to the estate and prepare his bedroom. There are servants there, but I'm worried they won't be attentive enough.""That was actually my plan too, but I was afraid it would be too much work for you.""It's not work at all. Master Chris has always been particular abo
Adriana froze for a moment before the corners of her lips lifted slightly. There was little real amusement in her eyes."Bianca, Sophia and I can't be friends. I'm sorry."She held no hostility toward Sophia. Yet whenever she saw her, memories inevitably surfaced—memories of the wounds Francesco had left behind.She was only an ordinary person. She simply couldn't calmly face her ex-husband's current wife.A trace of confusion flashed across Bianca's face, but when she noticed Adriana's expression darken, she quickly apologized."I'm sorry."Adriana squeezed her hand gently and said in a soft voice, "Bianca, you don't need to apologize. This has nothing to do with you."Beside them, Oliver stepped in at just the right moment."Bianca, stop introducing so many friends to Adriana. Otherwise, she won't have any time left to hang out with us."Realization immediately dawned on Bianca.So Adriana already had too many friends, and her good intentions had only created trouble.What
On Monday, Adriana went to the laboratory as usual.The moment Oliver saw her, he frowned, looking utterly helpless."You have maternity leave anyway. Why not stay home and get some proper rest instead of coming here and wearing yourself out?""I want to save my maternity leave for after the babies are born so I can spend more time with them."Adriana walked past him and settled into her chair behind the desk.As her body grew heavier by the day, her feet had begun to swell. She could no longer stand for long periods, and even sitting down took noticeably more effort than before."Besides the government-mandated maternity leave, our company also provides additional internal leave. Altogether, it's more than enough time for you to rest.""Oliver, please stop trying to persuade me."Adriana looked up, her gaze unwavering."No one cares more about these two children than I do. If I ever feel that I can't continue working, I'll take leave on my own."Oliver sighed. Knowing there
Francesco let out a bitter, self-mocking smile. For a man like Chris, Adriana had walked away from him without hesitation.In her eyes, he didn't even compare to Chris."Perhaps," Adriana murmured, then released her hand and paused mid-step on the dance floor, offering no explanation. "Anyway, tha
"Oh—Edward, did you just tap the voice recorder?"Joan snatched the phone away, uneasily glancing at Chris."Chris, I'll delete it right now. Edward was fiddling with my phone while he was eating. Who knew it would record Adriana's words?"Chris said nothing. His expression tightened, his eyes li
"I tripped and fell. It's nothing serious."Daisy smiled, but the movement tugged at the injury on her face, making her wince.Adriana leaned in for a closer look. Besides the bruising, it was visibly swollen."You really have to be careful. You're so beautiful—can't risk damaging that face," Adr
Adriana's eyes widened slightly as she looked at Chris, her emotions tangled and turbulent."I'm the one who was smeared with false rumors. I'm the one who was wronged. So how does this end up being my fault?"What a fine "never mention it again." It sounded fair on the surface, but the favoritism







