Chapter 109: Chapter 109



Back when Joelle was younger, she often asked Adrian to take her out to see the snow. At that time, Illerith basked in summer warmth, while far away, winter blanketed the landscape with dense snow.

Adrian was just beginning to take over the company and was constantly buried in work. He really wanted to agree to her request, but sadly, he never had the time to do it.

Throughout the past years, Joelle had changed. She was no longer the same naive young lady who used to beg to see the snow.

“Never mind. Anyway, I need to work. Besides, your leg is injured.”

Adrian gave her a perfunctory response before walking away. By the time Joelle finished getting ready, Adrian was already out of the room.

She thought about looking for him but decided against it. He was probably brooding over her lack of response to his earlier advances.

“What a jerk!” she scoffed inwardly.

Joelle settled into bed, pulled the covers to her chin, turned off the light, and drifted into peaceful slumber.

Meanwhile, Adrian, propped on one elbow, lay in his study’s bed, waiting for Joelle to seek him out. She still hadn’t shown up after ten minutes.

This girl had matured; her patience was markedly refined. The more he mulled over it, the more his frustration mounted. Finally, he resolved to also play the game, swearing off a return to the master bedroom.

The following morning, Adrian woke to an empty space beside him that felt starkly void. Leaning on his crutch, he descended to the kitchen, where Leah was bustling about. “Where is she?”

Leah feigned ignorance. “Who?”

“Joelle.”

With a knowing smirk, Leah replied, “Oh, you were looking for your wife.”

Adrian scowled as he took a seat. “Leah, that’s not amusing.”

Leah poured him a glass of milk. “She’s already left for work. You could bring her lunch around noon.”

Adrian clutched the glass, his eyes darkening as he stared at Leah. “Who told you I wanted to see her?” Leah’s hand shook slightly as she faltered. “Sorry.”

Without Joelle’s presence, Adrian suddenly found himself without an appetite. He had planned to ask Joelle why she hadn’t sought him out the night before. She had better not think she could indulge in a tantrum just because she lost a baby.

But every time he was about to erupt, Joelle would conveniently disappear, depriving him of an outlet for his rage. That morning, the staff meeting bore the brunt of his frustration.

The employees had hoped his absence might ease the pressure. But as Adrian’s severe features filled the screen, it felt as though he could detect their every subtle twitch.

Everyone sat in oppressive silence, too frightened to err. Yet, they couldn’t elude Adrian’s palpable dissatisfaction. “I’m shelling out fifty thousand a month, not to have my inbox clogged with junk.”

“Seriously, was this lame idea all your own doing?”

“I’ve never come across such a lousy excuse for a plan. From now on, think of your brain as a pot of spoiled mushrooms. It’s disorganized and potentially toxic.”

Once the meeting ended, the video connection was cut. No one in the conference room made a move to leave. They all kept their heads bowed, their frustration evident as they scratched their heads.

Adrian’s mood showed no signs of improvement either. Leah passed by his study and overheard snippets of his venting, shaking her head in disapproval. “At this rate, he’d kick even a stray dog that passed by.”

Around noon, Leah began to prepare lunch for Joelle. Since Joelle’s health had declined, proper nourishment was essential if she hoped to conceive again.

Without someone to bring her lunch, Joelle was likely to settle for a quick snack, sometimes even forgetting to eat altogether when caught up in work.

Worried, Leah brought this up with Adrian before she left. “Sir, I’m off to deliver lunch to Mrs. Miller now.” Adrian was seated at the long dining table, with a napkin on his lap and utensils in hand, alone at the lengthy table. “Wait!”

Leah, with one foot already out the door, paused and turned back in surprise. “I’ll go.” Adrian began moving towards her.

Leah looked at his leg, her face lighting up with hope. Adrian was making an effort to reconnect with his wife. “Maybe you should let me do it, sir. Your leg isn’t fully healed yet.”

“Leah, it’s either I take it this time, or you’ll never see me deliver lunch again.”

Leah promptly passed him the lunchbox. “In that case, I’ll leave it to you!”

When Adrian arrived at the studio, Joelle was deep into teaching a class. The driver assisted him to the entrance, where a group of parents and family members had gathered. As they spotted him, their gazes turned curious.

“Which child are you here to see? Is this your first visit? I’ve never seen you before. So young, and you already have a kid?”

Adrian preferred to avoid conversations with strangers, so he motioned to the driver, who immediately stepped forward. “We’re here for the violin teacher.”

“The teacher? Joelle?”

Their eyes widened further, and an even larger crowd gathered around him than before. Adrian tensed up, unprepared for the volley of questions hurled at him like missiles.

“Are you her boyfriend or her husband?”

“Have you and Joelle tied the knot?”

“Joelle isn’t just a great teacher; she’s a wonderful person too. You’re a lucky man!”

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