The CEO's Contract Bride

Evelyn lay in the hospital, struggling through a life-threatening childbirth,

while Adrian Caldwell set off a spectacular fireworks display worth 7.45 million for his first love, Claire Sullivan.

That very night, a video of the billionaire heir passionately kissing his first love beneath the fireworks flooded the internet.

The next day, Claire sent Evelyn a photo.

In it, Adrian held her close, her body covered in marks of his kisses.

She said, Now that the real one is back, when will you, the stand-in, fuck off?

Evelyn let out a bitter smile.

Claire was right.

After three years as a substitute, risking her life to give birth to his child, she had finally completed her role.

She could leave now.

"Evelyn, here's the five million dollar check I promised you, and a plane ticket to Paris for two weeks from today."

Evelyn Sterling took the envelope and bowed slightly to Adrian Caldwell's father, Charles.

"Thank you for taking care of me these past three years, Mr. Caldwell."

Charles sighed.

"Evelyn, you just gave birth. Do you really have to leave so soon?"

A bitter smile crossed Evelyn's face.

"Adrian doesn't have feelings for me. Now that his first love, Miss Sullivan, has returned, I've been put back in my place."

Charles let out a long sigh.

"Evelyn, I have a heart. That's your own flesh and blood. I know we signed a contract, but I've seen who you really are. You can come back and see the child anytime."

Evelyn waved her hand dismissively.

"Mr. Caldwell, holding onto ties that are already broken only leads to endless pain."

It wasn't that Evelyn didn't love her child. She knew she was never meant to be the real lady of the Caldwell household.

That place belonged to Claire Sullivan, Adrian's first love.

Claire and Adrian both came from wealthy families. They had known each other since childhood, so it was natural for them to be together.

Unexpectedly, Claire suddenly went abroad and disappeared without a trace. When Adrian finally heard from her again, there was already another tall, handsome man by her side.

The abrupt breakup combined with her immediate new relationship sent Adrian into severe depression.

Seeing his son in such a state, Charles found Evelyn, who resembled Claire.

Charles covered all of Evelyn's mother's medical expenses and promised to take care of all her future educational needs. But the condition was that Evelyn had to help Adrian get over his heartbreak and give him a grandson.

From that day on, a persistent shadow appeared behind Adrian Caldwell.

When he worked until he fainted from stomach pain, Evelyn always appeared in time to drive him home, even washing his clothes and placing warm porridge on his nightstand before he woke up.

When he had business difficulties, Evelyn stepped in to help smooth over relationships. Everyone at the company greeted Evelyn warmly the moment they saw her.

No one disliked Evelyn, except Adrian Caldwell.

It wasn't until Adrian got drunk at a celebration party and slept with Evelyn that he reluctantly gave her a title.

Later, Evelyn learned that the reason he got drunk was because Claire was getting engaged.

Even knowing she was Claire's replacement, Evelyn never showed any dissatisfaction. She followed the contract and took care of the Caldwell household inside and out with dedication.

After marriage, her relationship with Adrian slowly improved. She even got pregnant quickly.

For a while, Evelyn mistakenly thought Adrian had truly fallen in love with her and that life would go on like this forever.

Then Claire divorced her foreign husband and returned to the country to see Adrian.

The day Claire came back, Evelyn was thirty-two weeks pregnant, in her third trimester.

That evening, to celebrate Claire's return, Adrian threw a lavish banquet in the city center, booking an entire hotel to make her happy.

He even set off seven million four hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of brilliant fireworks on the golden beach of the East Coast waterfront for Claire.

That night, when Evelyn heard the news, she suddenly went into contractions and had to be admitted to the hospital.

Following Charles's orders, Evelyn couldn't have a C-section. She had to give birth naturally without anesthesia.

When her contractions made it feel like someone was tearing at her internal organs, she finally heard a familiar voice.

Outside the door, Charles asked Adrian, "Your wife is giving birth, why are you only arriving now!"

Adrian explained somewhat sheepishly, "Dad, I got held up with some work matters. I'm doing this for our family, aren't I?"

Even though Evelyn's love for Adrian began with a contract, after three years together, her heart had long been filled with him.

She even began to fantasize about whether her existence had gained some significance to Adrian.

Suddenly, the nurse turned up the volume on the fetal heart monitor, and Evelyn heard Claire's voice from outside the door.

"Adrian, I had no choice but to go abroad back then. I just needed treatment..."

The heart rate instantly spiked to one hundred and eighty.

Evelyn bit her lip so hard she nearly drew blood, just to keep herself from crying out loud.

So even when she was giving birth to Adrian's child, she still couldn't catch his eye as a mere replacement.

Adrian's love had been fully invested in Claire from the very beginning.

He came to the hospital not for her.

Only for his biological son.

Evelyn covered her mouth to keep from crying out.

But she let tears flow freely down her cheeks.

As the baby let out its first cry, Evelyn shed tears for Adrian for the last time.

Fourteen more days, and we'll have nothing to do with each other.

When Evelyn returned to the company, Claire was already sitting at her desk.

"Miss Sterling, hasn't Adrian told you that he's given me the Executive Director position?"

Evelyn frowned.

"I haven't even done a handover. What gives you the right to say that so confidently?"

Claire smiled and twirled her hair, her tone full of mockery.

"If your abilities can't keep you in this position, don't blame others for taking it. If you're just taking up space, you deserve it."

Claire's words clearly had a double meaning.

As everyone around watched the drama unfold, Adrian heard the commotion and came out, frowning as he beckoned to Evelyn.

"Come in for a moment."

Without complaint, Evelyn obediently entered the CEO's office.

"Adrian, I'm not objecting to what you did. I'm just curious why my position was taken by someone else the moment I came back from maternity leave after giving birth?"

Even though Evelyn was about to leave, seeing Adrian let this woman take her place so quickly still sent a dense, needle-like pain through her heart.

Hearing this, Adrian was the one who got upset first.

His expression darkened.

"Evelyn, you talk too much. Don't forget who you are and who gave you all this!"

Evelyn froze for a moment. She opened her mouth but couldn't say a word.

What could she say?

She was Adrian's woman now. Even though everyone knew how hard she worked, Adrian's gaze had never lingered on her for a moment.

"This isn't my fault either."

Seeing Evelyn's silence, Adrian spoke indifferently, like giving a slap followed by a sweet treat.

"Evelyn, you were gone for so long having the baby. What would happen to your position if no one filled it?"

"You can't expect the whole company to wait for you, can you?"

"Besides, it wasn't just the months you spent having the baby. You stayed in the hospital for so long after giving birth. For the company, that's all money!"

Evelyn felt like her heart was bleeding.

She had given Adrian a child, but all Adrian cared about was the company.

He was even counting every moment of her maternity leave.

"I know you're resentful. How about this? Tell me what you want, and I'll get it for you."

Hearing this, Evelyn found it all so ironic.

She pulled out a document from her bag. It was her divorce agreement with Adrian.

"Then sign this. Let's get divorced. The child stays with you. I won't take a penny from you."

But Adrian at this moment seemed not to hear Evelyn's words at all. His eyes held a smile as his gaze remained fixed on Claire outside the door.

Claire was waving at him, apparently wanting to meet with him later.

Without even looking, Adrian quickly signed his name on the divorce papers.

"I'll give you whatever you want. Happy now? Okay, Evelyn, don't bother me anymore. I have a lunch meeting with a client."

Smiling, he grabbed his jacket and left with Claire without looking back.

Evelyn watched his retreating figure and waved as well.

Goodbye. Let's never see each other again.

Ten days countdown.

Evelyn got up early. Adrian never came home last night.

But none of that had anything to do with her anymore. Her ex-husband's affairs were none of her business.

After packing her things, Evelyn arrived at the university campus.

As soon as she reached the entrance, the department chair walked over with a smile.

"Oh, Evelyn! Long time no see. How have you been lately?"

The department chair pointed to a building still under construction in the distance and said with a smile.

"The million dollars you donated last time has already been put into our educational programs! From now on, our school will have more support and resources for art students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This is all thanks to you. If it weren't for you, we definitely couldn't have done this!"

Evelyn had been a fortunate art student from a disadvantaged background. Being able to study at this school was her luck, and now she wanted to pass that luck on to others.

Hearing the department chair's words, she waved her hand with a smile.

"This is what I should do."

The department chair sighed.

"What a shame. Your artistic talent is so high. If you had continued, you might have become nationally renowned. But why did you choose to become some director for the Caldwell family... to go into finance!"

Evelyn didn't want to hear Adrian's name anymore. She explained.

"Please don't say that, department chair. I'm free now and ready to pursue my own dreams. I'm going to Paris soon."

The department chair immediately became alert.

"At this particular time? But if you really go to Paris now, aren't you afraid that everything you have will be taken by someone else?"

The Caldwell family situation was an open secret.

Evelyn and Claire were constantly compared by everyone.

Hearing the department chair's words, Evelyn just smiled faintly.

The department chair saw this and fell silent for a long while.

"Alright. If that's your decision, then I wish you a safe journey."

Just after leaving the school, someone from the company suddenly called Evelyn.

Without any preamble, they started berating her.

"When are you going to give us the latest proposal? You still haven't submitted it?"

Evelyn saw it was one of her subordinates calling. She had been mentoring her subordinates for years, but now that she'd been demoted, her subordinates were ordering her around.

Ordering her to do work that was the Executive Director's responsibility.

Evelyn didn't want to be taken advantage of anymore.

Hearing the colleague ask this, she replied coldly.

"Claire is in that position now. Ask her for whatever proposals you need. What does it have to do with me?"

Evelyn had always been well-liked at the company. On one hand, she had a good temper and never got angry. On the other hand, her professional abilities were outstanding.

But now that Evelyn was being so assertive, her colleagues were stunned.

Evelyn had no intention of continuing to listen. Just as she was about to hang up, she heard Adrian say, "Is that Evelyn? Wait, don't hang up."

His voice grew from soft to loud as he apparently took the phone.

"Evelyn, when you get home, can you let Claire in? She just came back to the country and doesn't have a place to stay. Claire will be staying at our house for now."

A bitter smile tugged at Evelyn's lips.

She hadn't even left yet, and Adrian couldn't wait to bring Claire home?!

Everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

Seeing that Evelyn didn't immediately agree, Adrian frowned.

"Evelyn, what does your silence mean?"

"How many times do I have to tell you? Claire and I are just friends, and now we have a work relationship."

"She doesn't have a place to stay. What's wrong with her resting at our house tonight? Can you stop being so petty?"

Evelyn remained quiet, not saying a single unnecessary word.

Adrian's frown deepened, then he changed his tone.

"Claire never cares about what I do outside or how late I work. In my eyes, that's what a virtuous wife and good mother should be like."

A virtuous wife and good mother?

Then I wish you both a hundred years of happiness and many children.

Evelyn grumbled internally, then said flatly, "Then open the door for her yourself. If you like her so much, you do it. I have to go to the hospital later. I don't have time."

Besides, she wasn't Adrian's servant.

Though in Adrian's mind right now, that's probably exactly what he thought of her.

Adrian froze.

This was the first time in all these years that Evelyn had refused him.

Normally, how would Evelyn dare speak to him like this?

Even when her period made her feel terrible, she would immediately fulfill whatever he wanted.

Adrian's voice was tinged with anger.

"Evelyn, do you think having a child gives you a voice now? Let me tell you, I'm still the one in charge of this house! You'll do what I tell you to do!"

After hearing this, Evelyn replied coolly, "Oh, my stomach hurts, honey. I need to go to the hospital for a checkup. If you think it's better for a woman who just gave birth with stomach pain to skip the hospital and go home to open the door for someone, then I can do what you say."

Evelyn's words were particularly cutting. Adrian was a bit stunned.

When did she get such a sharp tongue?

Though Adrian suspected Evelyn was faking illness, his mind remained rational and courteous.

"Fine, then go to the hospital. I'll come see you there later too."

Evelyn didn't plan to hear what he'd say next. She hung up and went to the hospital to see the baby.

After all, this was her own flesh and blood. Who knew if she'd ever see him again?

Looking at her child in the hospital room, gazing at that tender, adorable face, Evelyn felt a wave of grief.

Her child had just been born, yet she would never see him again.

Suddenly, she heard a nurse's voice from outside.

"Oh my, Mr. Caldwell, is this your wife? Are you both here to see the baby together?"

Though Claire's every movement embodied the bearing of a wealthy heiress, and the brand-name clothes she wore formed a stark contrast with Evelyn's understated style.

Standing beside Adrian now, the two of them looked like a perfect match made in heaven.

They looked so much like a real couple that even seasoned onlookers couldn't tell they weren't actually married.

Evelyn turned to look outside. She saw Claire just lower her head and smile shyly.

Adrian wasn't in a hurry to respond either. Instead, he asked, "How's my son's health lately?"

The nurse nodded quickly.

"Good! Of course he's good. He has a great appetite. Oh my, it must be because you two clearly have such good physiques, so he is naturally very healthy too."

She smiled at Claire and continued praising.

"Ma'am, you're so beautiful, and Mr. Caldwell, you're so handsome. When he grows up, he'll definitely be incredibly handsome! I even think he could start being a child model right now!"

Evelyn's expression remained blank as she simply looked away.

She had no intention of getting angry. Or rather, she was angry for just a moment before putting it all behind her.

For what? What was the point of being angry now?

Adrian was legally her ex-husband now. Whoever her ex-husband was with was his freedom.

Seemingly noticing Evelyn, Claire suddenly called out to Adrian.

"Hey, your collar is a bit messy. Let me straighten it out. We don't want the baby to see us looking disheveled."

Claire gave Adrian her brightest smile, her eyes completely drawn to him. She gently placed her hand on Adrian's collar and carefully folded it properly.

"Adrian, thank you for helping me with the work situation. If it weren't for you, I don't know how many years I'd have to struggle."

She just had to let Evelyn know in front of her that Adrian had orchestrated this whole thing.

She wanted Evelyn to know that even if she had a son, so what? After Claire came back, wasn't she still the first to benefit from everything Adrian had?

After straightening his clothes, Claire smiled and stepped back. Suddenly she lost her balance and fell backward. Adrian instinctively caught her waist.

People around them looked at the couple's intimate display with envious glances.

This was the newborn area. For a couple who just had a baby to still have this kind of romance. Everyone was quite envious.

Looking at Adrian so close to her, Claire lifted her head and kissed him forcefully on the lips.

Wolf whistles came from the crowd, but Evelyn found the scene too glaring to watch.

Back when Adrian was faithful, no matter how many times she begged, he never accepted her. Evelyn once thought he had some problem in that area.

Now it seemed it wasn't that area that was the problem, but the person. With Claire, he was always ready to go.

Evelyn turned her lips down and headed straight for the fire escape exit.

Seeing Evelyn's retreating figure, Adrian quickly steadied Claire.

"Was that Evelyn who just walked by?"

Claire of course knew it was Evelyn, but she still played dumb.

"I don't know. So what if it was? We were just kissing, we didn't do anything else. Just friends with benefits."

But Adrian pushed her away and chased after Evelyn's departing direction.

"Evelyn!"

Adrian grabbed Evelyn's arm, a flash of panic in his eyes.

But he didn't speak, his deep eyes quietly watching Evelyn.

Their relationship was always like this. If Evelyn didn't speak first, he could go a whole day at home without saying a word.

"Can I go now?"

Evelyn pulled away the arm that was being gripped a bit too tightly.

Adrian quickly spoke up.

"Evelyn, are you angry? What you just saw, I can explain it all."

Explain?

What was there to explain?

Everything he'd done these days was real. Him scolding her was real. Even the kiss just now was real.

Besides, they would soon have nothing to do with each other.

"Okay, I'm not angry. So can I go now? You came to see the baby too, right? You two go see him."

Adrian's pupils contracted.

He had never seen Evelyn look so cold. For a moment, he felt his heart skip a beat.

Watching Evelyn's back, Adrian didn't quite understand.

Why could Evelyn be so magnanimous seeing him with another woman?

Had he always thought of her as too petty?

After returning home from the hospital, Adrian noticed Evelyn had already gone to her room.

"Are you asleep?"

Evelyn came out of the room in her pajamas. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Claire clinging to Adrian.

"What is it?" Evelyn said coldly.

Adrian was about to say something when Claire interrupted directly.

"I just wanted to ask if you have any extra pajamas. I didn't bring many clothes back from abroad."

"If you don't have your pajamas, you can give me Adrian's. My frame is just right to fit in his, it'll cover everything."

She spoke as if she were the lady of the house.

Evelyn didn't want to deal with it and simply returned to her room.

But even if she didn't want to deal with it, she couldn't sleep peacefully.

The knocking continued.

"Evelyn, Claire can't find a towel in the bathroom. Can you get one for her?"

"Evelyn, Claire says she wants to change the comforter. Can you find one for her?"

"Evelyn..."

And so, during the countdown to her departure, Evelyn lived in this twisted arrangement with Claire and Adrian.

Even going to the hospital to see the baby, all three went together.

Over time, people at the hospital started spreading gossip, saying Evelyn might be a surrogate mother hired by the Caldwell family.

Though the baby was healthy, doctors detected he was allergic to pollen.

Evelyn called in the gardeners and had them cut down all the rose bushes Adrian had planted in the backyard.

When Claire heard the news, she rushed back anxiously.

"Evelyn, what are you doing?!"

Looking at the mess in the garden, Claire pointed at Evelyn angrily.

"Do you know that Adrian carefully planted all these flowers for me?!"

"Even if you resent Adrian for falling in love with me, you can't take it out on these flowers!"

Hearing Claire's words, Evelyn smiled faintly.

"Miss Sullivan, you really are narcissistic."

"I don't know who Adrian planted these flowers for, and whoever he loves has nothing to do with me."

"My son is allergic to pollen. I can't keep these roses!"

Claire pouted, looking indifferent.

"So what if the baby is allergic to pollen?!"

"He'll stay in his room anyway. He won't be brought out!"

"You're getting rid of these flowers now and still saying you don't hate me. You're already so vicious, you know that?!"

Then, without caring about anything else, looking at the remaining roses, she started fighting with the gardeners for the pruning shears.

"Everyone put down what you're holding!"

Evelyn grabbed Claire.

"Don't think I don't know what you're scheming. You know Adrian cares a lot about my son, so you want to use this method to make something happen to him, don't you?!"

Claire seemed like her little scheme had been exposed and froze in place.

"No... I didn't!"

If Claire was treating her like this when she was still here, what would happen when she wasn't?

Adrian rushed back anxiously.

Seeing the messy backyard and the two women standing together, his anger flared up.

"Evelyn, what are you freaking out about! The backyard was fine, why did you have to do this? If you have a problem, tell me directly. Take it out on me. There's no need to vent on these innocent flowers and Claire!"

Innocent?

Evelyn blurted out.

"Innocent? Don't you know the baby is allergic to pollen! Would you keep such a huge safety hazard at home?!"

After hearing this, Adrian said dismissively, "You'll be taking care of the child anyway. Why worry about it so much?"

Why worry about it so much?

Evelyn looked at Adrian in disbelief, tears falling unconsciously.

"Adrian, no matter what, you can't treat our child like this. That's your own flesh and blood."

Adrian had never seen Evelyn cry. A struggle flashed in his eyes.

"You..."

The vicious words had already risen to Adrian's throat, but when he met Evelyn's red, cold eyes, he couldn't speak them.

This Evelyn was too unfamiliar.

He was silent for a long time, finally only managing to say, "Evelyn, don't be impulsive."

Evelyn threw the scissors to the ground and looked at Adrian coldly.

"Flowers can be replanted. Buy her whatever she likes. But when it comes to the child, I absolutely cannot back down even half a step, because..."

Because that was the child she carried for ten months and gave birth to!

That was the only thing she had left from all these years with Adrian!

"The child cannot be harmed."

Though Claire made things difficult in every way, in the end Adrian and the gardeners silently cleared all the roses from the garden.

Claire was furious, her tone becoming sharp and bitter.

"This is ridiculous. They're just flowers. The kid won't always be at home when he comes back. Why did you have to get rid of all these flowers?"

Evelyn looked at Claire coolly.

"They're just a few flowers. What, are the dead flowers going to kill you?"

Evelyn speaking so harshly left Claire stunned for quite a while.

Was this still the Claire who used to be so accommodating to her?

Why had she become so assertive?

After Evelyn dealt with the biggest threat to the baby, she returned to her room alone.

There were 8 hours left until she left this heartbreaking place.

Just then, Charles sent a message asking her to come to his evening banquet.

"Your new identity documents are ready. Do you have time to come get them?"

After Evelyn replied "yes," she drove straight to the banquet hall entrance.

Unexpectedly, she saw a familiar car there.

It was Adrian's car.

She didn't need to think to know that Adrian must have brought Claire to this banquet.

At the Caldwell family banquet, Evelyn, as the CEO's wife, couldn't attend, yet Claire, who had no official status, appeared on the guest list.

Evelyn took a deep breath. She didn't plan to get angry, but calmly went through the staff entrance toward where Charles was.

After just a few steps, she heard people discussing the Caldwell family.

"Did you hear? Adrian might be proposing to Claire at this banquet!"

"I heard the two of them have been promised to each other since childhood. Later, this perfect couple was torn apart by Evelyn!"

"That Evelyn is really awful. What she did to Adrian and Claire is disgusting. People like her don't deserve to exist!"

"I agree. How is Evelyn still showing up at the Caldwell family? She should have the sense to leave this family!"

Evelyn acted as if she couldn't hear them and pushed past.

"Excuse me."

As soon as she reached the center of the banquet, Evelyn indeed saw the grand proposal setup in the hall.

A joyous atmosphere pervaded every corner.

Back then, her own wedding had been quite shabby.

Adrian said he didn't want to waste time on such things. He said his time was precious, worth millions per minute.

Actually, Evelyn didn't occupy much space in Adrian's heart. Didn't people always say that a man's love is where his time is, where his money is?

Adrian didn't lack money, so whoever he gave his time to was who he loved.

He didn't love Evelyn.Thinking back on this, Evelyn looked away.

She was about to leave anyway. Why linger on these feelings?

When she was just a few steps away from Charles's room, Claire suddenly appeared with a group of socialites.

"Evelyn, I don't remember you being invited to tonight's banquet. Why did you have the nerve to come? Don't you feel ashamed?"

"Not like me. I didn't want to come, but Adrian insisted on bringing me to introduce me to everyone. He insisted I come."

Evelyn simply stepped aside.

"Let me through."

Claire noticed Charles's room behind her and immediately understood.

"You're going to complain to Charles, aren't you? Evelyn, you're shameless!"

Evelyn could no longer hold back. She didn't think she deserved to endure baseless criticism, so she pushed Claire aside.

"You've provoked me again and again. Do you really think I'm a pushover?"

Claire didn't expect Evelyn to finally bite back, and immediately called over the women behind her.

"Teach her a good lesson!"

Evelyn looked at the people surrounding her and directly smashed the wine glass in her hand. She pointed the broken shard at them.

"I'd like to see who dares come closer!"

Hearing the commotion, Charles came out. Claire quickly left with the others, but before leaving, she warned Evelyn.

"You know who's in charge of the Caldwell family now, right?"

"Adrian only has eyes for me. So if you want to live peacefully in the Caldwell family, you'd better keep your mouth shut!"

When Charles walked over, he only saw Evelyn looking disheveled, his eyes full of heartache.

"What happened? Evelyn? Were you bullied?"

Evelyn glanced at the time and waved her hand.

"It's nothing, Mr. Caldwell. My flight leaves in two hours. After I get my identity documents, I'll be leaving. In the future, please take care of yourself."

In his heart, Charles genuinely liked Evelyn.

He never imagined he could find such a wonderful daughter-in-law.

At this moment, Charles opened his mouth, the words of reluctant goodbye already on his lips.

But Evelyn interrupted him.

"Mr. Caldwell, I know what you're thinking. But I've completely given up on Adrian. Or rather, it's not giving up. Our relationship should never have been like this from the start."

Evelyn smiled self-deprecatingly.

"I just wanted him to love me."

"But no matter how hard I tried, his eyes never had room for me."

"Mr. Caldwell, I've completely let go."

Evelyn bowed deeply to Charles.

"I know you've truly taken care of me all these years. My flight is about to leave, but I know this place doesn't belong to me. Staying here would only add to my troubles."

Evelyn was too rational. So rational that even though Charles wanted to make her stay, he didn't know what to say.

After a long silence, Charles took out the documents Evelyn needed, along with a bank card containing an extra ten million dollars.

"Take the money in the card. This is my gift to you. Evelyn, take good care of yourself out there. Now we must truly part ways."

Evelyn knew that even if she refused, Charles had the ability to get this money to her, so she didn't decline again.

"Thank you, Mr. Caldwell. Then, I'm leaving."

After seeing Evelyn off, Charles walked back and happened to see Claire and Adrian standing not far away.

As soon as Claire saw Charles, she fell directly into Adrian's arms.

"Adrian, do you know how mean Evelyn was to me just now! Why did she treat me like that? I didn't do anything wrong!"

Adrian smiled at her, though his eyes swept over Charles.

"Dad."

He knew Charles cared deeply about inappropriate relationships between men and women.

Unexpectedly, Charles just looked away, gave a slight nod, and left.

Seeing this, Claire thought she had gained Charles's approval and clung even more eagerly to Adrian.

"Adrian, it looks like Dad has accepted me too."

Hearing this, Adrian just nodded slightly.

Though he should have been happy, somehow he couldn't feel any joy.

When he returned home, he found Evelyn wasn't there. For some reason, panic surged in his heart.

Claire smiled and hooked her arm around Adrian's neck, walking toward their bedroom upstairs.

"Adrian, can I sleep in your room tonight?"

Hearing this, Adrian frowned, forcibly suppressing the panic in his heart, and pushed her away.

"Claire, you're crossing the line."

As the words fell, Claire opened the bedroom door.

Adrian was horrified to discover that his and Evelyn's bedroom was completely empty.

All of Evelyn's things were gone!