Chapter 14 An Unexpected Encounter
+8 Pearls
In a five–star hotel cafe, Adeline held a freshly brewed cup of Americano in her hands. Outside the window, the city was bustling with traffic, and neon lights painted a dreamlike scene, yet her gaze remained indifferent to the lively spectacle
She took a sip of her coffee. The bitterness spread across her tongue, bringing her an odd sense of calm.
A familiar yet unfamiliar voice came from behind her. “Ms. Dustin?”
She turned around and met the gaze of Lauren. The woman was dressed in an elegantly tailored emerald green dress, exuding grace and composure with every gesture. At this moment, she was smiling, motioning for Adeline to come over.
Adeline hesitated for a brief moment, instinctively wanting to refuse. However, Lauren’s demeanor, warm yet assertive, left her with little choice but to step forward.
“Madam Lauren Adeline stood by the table, her tone polite yet distant. “Is there something you need?”
Just a coincidence Lauren smiled and lightly tapped the chair across from her. “Sit. I find it dull to have coffee alone”
After a slight hesitation, Adeline pulled out the chair and sat down. She placed her cup on the table, hands gently clasped over her lap, maintaining a composed and reserved posture.
Lauren studied her without a trace of urgency. From the crisp white blouse to the fitted pencil skirt and the black heels, every detail reflected an understated yet refined elegance. It was a stark contrast to the ostentatious extravagance of most wealthy heiresses.
“Not bad.” Lauren’s lips curled slightly, approval flickering in her eyes. “Simple, but tasteful”
Adeline didn’t respond. She merely smiled faintly–a smile veiled in a thin mist, making it impossible to discern her
emotions
Theard you’ve been quite the sensation online recently?” Lauren casually stirred her cappuccino, her tone indifferent. “I read the news as well. Truly heartbreaking”
Adeline lowered her gaze, tracing the rim of her cup with her fingertips. “There’s no need for you to feel sad for me, Madam Lauren” When she lifted her head again, her dark eyes had regained their usual detachment,
Lauren’s gaze sharpened momentarily but soon returned to its usual warmth. “Young people always face challenges. However, even if you take the wrong path, you can always turn back
“Are you implying something? Adeline raised a brow. Her tone was casual, yet there was a hidden sharpness to it.
Lauren chuckled and placed her spoon back onto the saucer. “I hear the Lennox family is planning to go public soon? A rare opportunity, indeed. I remember you were quite involved in their key projects before. You must be well–versed in their operations.
The probing in her words was unmistakable. Adeline lowered her gaze, her fingers gently curling around the coffee cup. She took a slow sip before responding in a detached yet unwavering voice, Tm sorry, but I have nothing to do with the Lennox family
anymore.
Lauren raised a brow slightly, though she quickly concealed her reaction. “Young people shouldn’t limit their paths. She took a small sip of coffee before adding meaningfully, “I know a few investors who are very interested in renewable energy projects. If you’re willing, we could collaborate.”
“Madam Lauren,” Adeline interrupted her, her voice calm yet firm. “I only have one request–please ensure that my friend. Nova, can leave Layton Group without any trouble.”
Her words were so abrupt that Lauren was momentarily caught off guard. “Nova?” she repeated the name with a thoughtful look before shaking her head. “You have nothing, yet you’re only concerned about your friend’s situation. That kind of loyalty is rare.”
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Chapter 14 An Unexpected Encounter
+8 Pearls
Adeline glanced at the caller ID before standing up. She nodded slightly toward Lauren. “It’s my grandmother’s caretaker. I
need to go
“Go ahead.” Lauren smiled and nodded. However, as she watched Adeline leave, a contemplative look surfaced in her deep-
After leaving the cafe, Adeline walked straight toward the elevator. She pressed the button and leaned against the wall. slipping her phone back into her pocket. But as the elevator doors slid open, she found herself facing someone unexpected- Christopher.
For a moment, both of them were caught in a brief standstill. Christopher stood inside the elevator, dressed in his usual impeccably tailored suit. His strikingly handsome yet cold features betrayed no emotion. He simply gazed at her, silent and
motionless.
“Mr. Conor Adeline finally spoke, offering a slight nod before stepping into the elevator, standing beside him.
The confined space was filled with an unspoken tension. Though the distance between them was less than half a meter, it felt as though an invisible chasm lay between them.
Christopher cast her a sidelong glance, his lips slightly parted as if about to speak–but in the end, he said nothing. Instead, he pressed the button for his floor and then shifted his gaze to the elevator’s reflective surface, using the blurred reflection to steal a glimpse at her.
Adeline, however, merely stared at her shoes, remaining silent. Just as the elevator neared its destination, she suddenly spoke up. “Mr. Conor, if you have something to say, just say it.”
Christopher hesitated briefly but quickly regained his composure. He turned slightly, his voice calm yet probing. “Are you okay?”
Those three words were painfully simple, yet to Adeline, they felt particularly grating. She slowly lifted her head, her gaze laced with a trace of irony and mockery. “What do you think. Mr. Conor?”
Christopher was momentarily at a loss for words. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but the elevator doors had already opened. Without hesitation, Adeline stepped out, leaving him behind
That evening, Lauren sat in her study, replaying every detail of her meeting with Adeline in her mind. This girl had grown colder, more distant, and infinitely harder to approach. And yet, that only made me all the more intrigued.
Meanwhile, Christopher sat alone in his office, flipping through the same document over and over again, yet unable to concentrate. His mind kept drifting back to that moment in the elevator–to her piercing words and to the look in her eyes before she walked away.
“Darn it…” he muttered under his breath, tossing the document aside before rubbing his temples in frustration.
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