LOGINWhen they arrived at the Stanley residence, Adriana gently woke Bianca."Bianca, we're home.""Thank you…"Bianca mumbled sleepily, still half-conscious as she pushed open the door and got out of the car. She walked around to the back and knocked on the window."Cesco, get out."Adriana let out an awkward laugh."He's not in the car."Bianca scratched her head, looking completely confused. She clearly remembered that Cesco had been sitting in the back seat before she fell asleep."Where did he go?""He thought the car was too stuffy, so he decided to walk home. He said it would help him get some fresh air and exercise."Bianca didn't suspect anything. She simply waved goodbye and turned to walk inside.Adriana turned the steering wheel and took a different route home instead of her usual one, deliberately taking a longer way.She was worried that stubborn man might still be walking on the street. If they ran into each other, it would be awkward.The moment she turned the c
The three of them returned to the car.Sitting in the driver's seat, Adriana still felt uneasy. She swiped across the screen with her fingertip and called Oliver.The phone rang for a long while before the other end finally picked up.Oliver's voice was hoarse. "Adriana?""Oliver, I'm leaving now. If anything happens, you must call me.""I'm not drunk. Don't worry about me. Go home and get some rest."His words were slurred and unclear, which only made him sound less reassuring.Adriana gave him a few more reminders before finally hanging up. The car fell silent once again.The streetlights outside passed through the windows, casting their glow over Francesco's sharply defined features in the back seat. The light and shadows shifted across his face.His expression, which had originally been cold and emotionless, now carried a trace of complicated feelings.Bianca leaned against the passenger seat and slept soundly, her breathing steady and even.Francesco suddenly spoke, his
Oliver's interest was piqued. He raised his eyes with a faint, teasing smile."Sophia? Francesco's second wife, right? I heard she's not only beautiful but also highly capable. No wonder she caught Francesco's attention."Francesco's expression remained unreadable, his gaze sharp."Oliver, if you're interested, I can introduce you two."Oliver chuckled. His eyes swept over Adriana before returning to Francesco's face. He spoke slowly and calmly."After spending so much time with Adriana, the only thing I'm interested in now is scientific research."Adriana focused on turning the barbecue, pretending she hadn't heard their exchange.The sizzling sound of the meat was far more pleasant than their childish bickering.Francesco lifted his glass."To Oliver's dedication to research, I'll drink to that.""I wouldn't dare. I should be the one to toast you, Francesco."Oliver raised his glass with a gentle smile.The two men, who had been exchanging hidden jabs moments ago, now sta
Francesco's gaze never left Adriana's profile from beginning to end, as if he were examining a precious treasure he had lost and finally recovered.The way he looked at her made Adriana feel extremely uncomfortable. Her fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel, and she turned her head to glance at him."Mr. Este, why don't you drive instead?"Francesco remained unmoved, his gaze still fixed on her. "I don't drive as well as you do. I just want to secretly learn from your skills."Adriana rolled her eyes and chose to ignore him.Sitting in the backseat, Oliver let out an amused laugh. "It's been a while since we last met, Francesco. You seem like a completely different person. Is this what happens to someone who's been married twice?"Francesco's expression darkened, and he coldly corrected him."Oliver, I've only been married once. The second time was merely a marriage of convenience for business interests. Nothing happened between us, so please don't try to stir up
Adriana looked at Milo, whose face was so similar to Francesco's, and curled her lips into a faint smile.There was no fault to find with Francesco's appearance. Having children who resembled him was a good thing. It was just that the man himself was a little difficult to deal with.In the days that followed, Adriana went to the laboratory building every day without ever taking leave or missing a single day of work.Whenever the two children needed vaccinations, it was Mrs. Moss and Heidi who took them.That day, she worked as usual. Just before leaving, she had finished processing a set of data when Oliver stood outside the office and waved at her."Oliver, what's wrong?" she asked as she walked over."Bianca came to invite us out for dinner."Following his gaze, Adriana saw not only Bianca, but also Francesco.Bianca waved at her, her smile bright and cheerful."Adriana, long time no see."Adriana walked over and hugged her."Sorry, Bianca. I've been really busy lately. I
The hospital room fell into silence.After a moment, Adriana spoke in a low voice."We're already divorced. Whether they're yours or not, what difference does it make?"She didn't understand why Francesco was so obsessed with the children's identity. She even felt that it was because of those two children that he had approached her again.Francesco continued looking at her, his gaze restrained."I just want an answer.""Looks like you're fine now."Adriana climbed down from the companion bed, her expression calm. She put on her coat and left the room."Adriana."Francesco called out to her, but she didn't even turn around.Not long after she left, a male caregiver entered."Sir, if you need anything, please press the call button.""Where is the woman who just left?" Francesco asked."She went home. I'm the temporary caregiver she hired for you. I'll stay with you until morning."Francesco hummed in response and asked the caregiver to leave. Then he let out a deep sigh.H
Adriana relied purely on survival instinct as she made her way down the mountain. Along the way, two more cars passed, neither slowing down.After more than half an hour, a car suddenly came speeding up from below. In the glow of its headlights, she saw who was inside and nearly screamed in relief.
Francesco's hand froze as he raised the wine glass to his lips, long fingers brushing idly along the rim. He extended the glass toward Adriana in a mock salute before tipping it back and draining it in one smooth motion."Today, we truly meet, Mrs. Slater."The words were deliberately emphasized—e
Adriana stepped forward with calm composure. "Dean, gentlemen, this really isn't such a big deal. I'm sorry you had to make the trip."Dean got straight to the point. "Where's Chris?""He's in his ward. The doctor has instructed that no one disturb him for now, and he doesn't wish to see anyone."
Adriana hesitated, then stole a quick glance at Francesco. His expression remained cold and detached, revealing no trace of emotion."Could we use cooperation as leverage… to make them leave Chris alone?" she asked softly.Francesco tilted his head, not even bothering to hide the faintest smirk of







