Chapter 6
978 Words
Although the photos only captured her profile, it was clear that the woman in them was her. How could this happen? Panic-stricken, she stood up as if sitting on pins and needles, her hands trembling as she held the photos. Who took these pictures?
In her panic, she noticed a piece of paper in the package. She threw the photos onto the coffee table and hurriedly grabbed the paper. It had a few lines of printed text: If you don't want these photos to be published, leave Adrian. Otherwise, face the consequences.
Lillian slumped heavily onto the sofa. No, she couldn't let Adrian find out about this. He could never tolerate such betrayal. Adrian would ruthlessly go after her and the Turner family's business. If these photos were published, how could she ever show her face again?
Who was it? Who could it be?
Her chaotic mind gradually calmed down, and a name flashed through her mind: Melina Harper. It had to be her. Only she would care about Adrian so much that she would resort to such tactics to force Lillian to leave him.
Lillian's face twisted into a vengeful smile. Melina, you've truly surprised me!
Adrian noticed that Lillian had been acting strangely the past couple of days, always saying she was busy whenever he tried to see her. Women need to be coaxed, and Lillian was no exception. Deciding to propose, he didn't bother with flowers or a ring at first, yet Lillian had smiled and accepted. He thought she was different from other women.
Though they had announced their engagement publicly, the wedding date was still undecided. He intended to finalize the date, but Lillian kept avoiding him under the pretext of being busy. So, he spent his free time with friends.
Jackson, his close friend, suggested that Lillian's reluctance might be because he hadn't proposed with a ring and a proper ceremony. Perhaps Jackson was right. Adrian didn't quite understand women and had no time to figure them out.
He ordered flowers, booked a restaurant, and bought a ring. Driving a luxurious Bugatti, he arrived at Lillian's office building just before the end of the workday. He'd see her soon.
She'd be surprised, he thought.
Lillian walked out of the office building and immediately spotted Adrian. His handsome, serious face and dark eyes seemed to have been watching her for a while. Leaning casually against the sports car, he drew the attention of passersby and people leaving the building. Some even stopped to gawk at the car.
Before, she would have run to him, laughing and leaped into his broad embrace. But now, she couldn't muster a smile. He straightened up as she approached, standing a step away from him, ready to speak. But he pulled her into an embrace and then turned to open the car door for her. Despite his cold demeanor, he had a gentleman side.
As the car drove, neither of them spoke. Adrian was naturally silent, while Lillian was consumed by her thoughts. The photos, the breakup—these tormented her mind. Today, she'd lay everything out.
A seaside restaurant with a view of the azure ocean through massive windows, crystal lights casting a blue glow, creating a romantic yet mysterious ambiance. Soft music couldn't ease Lillian's turmoil.
After ordering, Adrian politely excused himself to the restroom, leaving Lillian to sit there, thinking about how to break up with him. Yes, break up. Those photos made her feel like she was sitting on thorns.
She only suspected Melina, with no evidence. If she delayed any longer, she feared those photos would be leaked. While she fretted, the music changed. She looked up and saw Adrian walking toward her with a large bouquet of roses.
The term "prince charming" flashed through her mind. Adrian was the real deal. Her heart tightened as she stared at him, realizing he intended to propose.
She stood as he reached her, standing by her side. His dark eyes gazed deeply into hers, and she thought she saw a rare softness and affection in his usually cool gaze.
Adrian stepped closer, holding the flowers between them. He raised his hand, revealing a diamond ring that sparkled brilliantly. She looked at the ring, the flowers, and this exceptional man, and her heart nearly shattered.
"Lillian, marry me."
She wanted to reach out, put on the ring, and embrace him tightly. But the photos flashed through her mind. She stepped back and shook her head, struggling to speak. "Adrian... I'm sorry. I... I can't marry you. We need to break up."
Adrian's expression froze, clutching the ring in his fist, his eyes cold and piercing as he stared at her, bewildered by her sudden change of heart. Were women really so fickle?
"Reason," he demanded icily.
Lillian looked at him and gave a cold smile. "Are you going to pester me?"
Adrian's gaze grew even colder. Pester? That wasn't his style. It would demean him. Without a word, he left, his eyes narrowed slightly. Women were truly unpredictable.
The next day, headlines blared the news of Adrian's rejected proposal. The Chambers family buzzed with speculation. What was Adrian doing? He announced he was getting married, only to be rejected. Was Adrian dumped?
True friends and those who cared for him were furious on his behalf, while enemies reveled in his misfortune. Jackson tossed the gossip magazine into the trash, looking at Adrian's expressionless face.
"What is that woman playing at?"
Adrian looked up from his documents, "I thought you always understood women."
Jackson frowned, "Aren't you upset? Hurt?"
"When did you develop an interest in men's hearts?" Adrian's patience was wearing thin, but Jackson persisted. "Do you even like her? In times like this, shouldn't you be confiding in someone, drinking to forget, or finding a punching bag? Your reaction is odd, too out of character."
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