LOGINThe female designated driver, who had been silently watching the drama unfold, couldn't help but ask, "Young man, do you still need my services or not?"Max gave her Adriana's address."Just take the car there."But the next moment, he changed his mind. He handed the driver some money."Forget it. Just leave it here."The driver accepted the payment without comment, parked the car, and left.…Inside the back seat of the Maybach, Adriana put her phone back into her bag and closed her eyes.When Francesco had sent Bianca home before, he had been to her residential complex and knew where it was.Francesco turned his head to look at her.Her fair cheeks were flushed pink from the alcohol.Perhaps because she didn't want to share the same space with him, her slender brows were slightly drawn together, her red lips pressed into a thin line, and her displeasure was written clearly across her face.He asked softly, "Why did you get yourself drunk alone?"Adriana didn't answer. Sh
Adriana sobered up halfway from the shock and glared at the furious man standing before her."Francesco, what are you doing?!"Francesco gritted his teeth, forcing out a cold laugh."What are you doing?"She knew she couldn't hold her liquor, yet she had gone out drinking alone. And after getting drunk, she had allowed a strange man to hold onto her and act so familiar.If he hadn't happened to come across them, who knew what might have happened?Max covered the swollen side of his face and stepped protectively in front of Adriana."If you have a problem, take it up with me. Don't yell at Adriana."The youthful face that usually carried an easygoing smile now looked fierce, his eyes burning with anger. The way he shielded Adriana was so natural and forceful that he looked nothing like a stranger.Francesco's handsome face darkened, and an icy aura radiated from him."When did you two meet?"Max assumed this man was one of Adriana's ex-husbands and had deliberately come to ca
"Got it." Adriana answered helplessly.Bella's parents were extremely traditional people. Although they adored their only daughter, they could never accept her getting involved with a young man who was still in university.This wasn't the first time Adriana had helped cover for her.She glanced at her watch. It was already past midnight."It's getting late. We should go."Bella looked at her worriedly."Your alcohol tolerance isn't great. Are you sure you can get home by yourself?""I'll call a designated driver. It'll be fine."Adriana pushed herself up using the armrest, but a wave of dizziness immediately washed over her."I'll help you."Bella stumbled toward her, nearly knocking her over.Before that could happen, Max reacted quickly and caught Adriana by the waist."Let me take Adriana home."Nicholas nodded in agreement."Max hasn't had much to drink. Let him take her.""No need to trouble you."Adriana gently pushed Max's hand away and slowly made her way outsid
Adriana's hand paused briefly as she lifted her glass. Then she let out a soft laugh."I've been divorced twice and have a pair of boy-girl twins. So, I suppose you could say I've had two husbands."With that, she raised the glass to her lips.The dark liquor dampened her red lips, leaving them glistening beneath the bar's dim lights.Across from her, the young man swallowed a mouthful of alcohol. His Adam's apple bobbed as he forced his gaze away from her mouth."Why did you get divorced?" he asked.The moment the question left his lips, he found it somewhat ridiculous.Judging from Adriana's relaxed and unburdened demeanor, divorce probably wasn't a particularly devastating subject for her.Still, if marriage had hurt her once, why had she chosen to marry a second time?Not wanting to give the young man the wrong impression about life, Adriana considered her answer carefully."We weren't the right fit, so we divorced."It wasn't an evasive answer.With Chris, the issue ha
Now, Adriana no longer needed to rely on anyone to obtain the things she wanted.Bella raised her glass with a carefree grin."To being single!"After finishing her drink, she leaned forward and lowered her voice conspiratorially."A younger guy confessed to me recently. I said yes."Adriana arched a skeptical brow."Another athlete from the sports university?"Bella rolled her eyes."He's a top student at Heatherton University Law School. A junior. He's already been guaranteed admission to a combined master's and doctoral program."She glanced around before continuing."We met at the gym. Don't let his fair, scholarly face fool you—he's surprisingly strong. Especially that waist..." She clicked her tongue appreciatively.Seeing the somewhat shameless grin on her best friend's face, Adriana silently leaned back in her seat."Use protection.""You can relax." Bella waved a hand dismissively. "Fun is fun, but I have principles. I'd never do anything that would affect his fut
When Adriana returned home, she immediately reminded Heidi to keep a close eye on the children and never allow strangers near them.Heidi nodded repeatedly."Don't worry, Miss. I'll be extra careful whenever I take them out from now on."Adriana trusted Heidi completely.What she didn't trust was the endless ingenuity of people with ulterior motives.She still didn't know what Anna was after, but being cautious could never hurt.Fortunately, the following weeks passed in peace. Nothing unusual happened.Francesco came to see her several times, hoping for a chance to meet the children, but she refused every request.To his credit, he didn't continue pestering her.According to Mars, nearly all of Paradigm Group's business operations in Mitaly had collapsed. Francesco was now occupied with expanding into other overseas markets.By the time spring drew to a close, Adriana's project at Sanctity had also come to a successful end.After finishing her final day of work, she removed
Adriana was closer to Chris. Before the German Shepherd could tackle him, she stepped in front of him."Adriana!"Several voices cried out at once as everyone rushed forward.Joan ran straight to Chris. "Chris, are you okay?"Chris pushed her aside and asked urgently, "Adriana, are you hurt?"A
Until the end of the next workday, Adriana hadn't received a reply from Chris.She had dinner with Oliver, and on the way home, she saw Joan and her son on a video call in the living room."Chris, I want a toy.""Alright. Tell your mom what New Year's gift you want."Chris's voice was clear, tho
Francesco sent Adriana a location from the airport.Francesco: [Arrive before 10 a.m. Private jet.]He didn't mention who would be traveling with her—probably couldn't be bothered.Adriana checked with the company. Charlie confirmed that she would be the only one officially on the trip, though th
Adriana pulled Edward into the hospital room, shooting Joan a sharp, dissatisfied glance."Why did you bring him here?" she demanded.It was so conspicuous, as if she wanted everyone to know."He's Chris's child. If anything were to happen to Chris—""Shut up!" Adriana's voice cut through the ai







