Chapter 512: 512: Old Master’s Test (Two Chapters Combined)

“Although it wouldn’t hurt you, you moved me behind you. If she has no one to hold on to, what if she comes to pull you?” Cindy whispered, taking the opportunity to hold onto Adrian’s arm.

So Adrian, with one hand holding Morgan, had his other arm held by Cindy.

He suddenly felt the weight of responsibility on both arms.

“How can I let her take advantage of this opportunity to latch onto you?” Cindy stated that she would never allow such a thing to happen.

No woman from the outside should ever come into contact with Adrian Zhekova.

This intense, possessive feeling made Adrian so happy!

If there weren’t so many people around, he would have pinned Cindy into the car right now.

“You’re right.” Adrian nodded seriously and carefully took another step back.

As if Iris Doone would pounce at any moment.

The other Zhekova family elders felt compelled to move back as well.

There was a nearly two-meter distance between them and Iris Doone.

Iris Doone:

On one side, a group of Zhekova people huddled together, with Iris Doone standing alone on the other side.

Separated by seemingly insurmountable distance.

Iris Doone felt extremely embarrassed.

When she saw Cindy dodge just now, she really wanted to take the opportunity to grab Adrian’s hand.

In fact, she didn’t think much about it, nor did she have time to think about what consequences it would bring, or whether she could really develop something with Adrian by doing this.

She hadn’t thought about any of that.

She just subconsciously wanted to do it.

To touch Adrian, even if it was just this one and only chance.

After all, before this, she didn’t even dare to think about it.

Let alone touch him. She couldn’t even see him.

Now, this is the closest she has ever been to Adrian.

Who knew that he would dodge her like avoiding trash?

Iris Doone’s face burned with humiliation.

She lowered her head, pursed her lips, tightened her chin, and showed a quivering tear.

“Cindy, Master Adrian, can… can you forgive me? I know I was wrong,” Iris whispered, pleading.

“I now clearly understand that I am nothing but a laughable and despicable person to you. No, I’m… I’m nothing at all. All those means I used, all those so-called schemes, were actually quite ridiculous and lowly in your eyes. I know that now.”

“From now on, I will never dare to defy Cindy again, and I won’t have any thoughts or actions that would harm her,” said Iris.

“It’s good that you have this realization,” Adrian nodded in satisfaction.

Iris suddenly looked up, her face full of hope.

She looked at Adrian: “Master Adrian, about the punishment you mentioned earlier, can… can it be reduced? If Pingla bans me, it means I have no chance in the industry!”

“I’ve already been eliminated from the major competition, and now my reputation is ruined. Everyone knows I sabotaged Cindy’s ingredients, so even if I try to find a job, no restaurant will hire me,” Iris said.

She knew that at least in the short term, this was true.

As long as Adrian was willing to withdraw his previous orders.

Once the storm passed, she would still have a chance.

“I have been punished,” Iris wiped her tears, “Master Adrian, Cindy, can you please forgive me this once?”

“I promise to stay far away from Cindy and never be involved in anything related to her ever again. You will never hear from me again,” Iris looked at them hopefully, “can you… can you forgive me?”

Adrian raised his eyebrows.

Of course, the answer was no.

However, before Adrian could respond, it was the Old Master who spoke up.

“Cindy, what do you think?” the Old Master asked before Adrian had a chance to speak.

“You’re the one directly involved in this matter. How to handle it, whether to forgive her this time or not, is up to you,” the Old Master said.

Hearing this, Iris immediately turned her hopeful gaze toward Cindy.

“Cindy, I know you are a good person, kind-hearted. You may seem cold on the outside but warm on the inside. You may not seem to get along with anyone, but you actually have a great heart,” Iris didn’t say Cindy was putting on an act or deliberately creating a persona.

At this moment, she sincerely hoped that Cindy was such a person.

Because that way, Cindy might forgive her.

“I can’t cause you any harm or damage at all. What I’ve done is useless. I won’t do it again in the future. I won’t say anything else, as it might sound too good to be true and you might not believe it.”

“But one thing, you must believe. Since I know that no matter what I do, it’s useless, why would I still do it? Don’t you think so?” Iris stared at Cindy, “Since that’s the case, Cindy, please spare me. Act as if I never existed, as my insignificance can’t appear in your world.”

The words she spoke felt terribly bleak.

In Cindy’s eyes, she was just an insignificant person, not worth mentioning.

“Then please raise your hand and let me go,” Iris said.

“You want me to ask Adrian to take back the previous orders?” Cindy asked calmly.

Iris hurriedly nodded, glancing at Adrian once more.

“Well, of course…” Cindy paused, “that’s not possible.”

“Why!” Iris cried out in dismay, “I’m obviously no threat to you!”

“But that’s what Adrian said! He has already spoken, how can he go back on his word? Taking back what he said would make people think his words can be turned back at will, that his orders can be taken so lightly, and arbitrarily withdrawn.”

“Then the next time he speaks, people might not take him seriously. His orders will be treated as something they can nod along to but defy in secret. His image would no longer be taken seriously or revered. People’s attitude toward him would become very indifferent.”

“To forgive you, to spare you, is to hurt Adrian and make him suffer,” Cindy said, “As you said, what do you count for? Who are you? In my eyes, you are insignificant.”

“Why would I let someone so important to me suffer and be taken lightly for the sake of someone as insignificant as you?” Cindy said.

“Ancient emperors were not to be trifled with, precisely because they couldn’t allow others to take their words lightly. The same applies to Adrian, and even the entire Zhekova Family.”

“Adrian represents the entire Pingla and Zhekova Family when he’s outside. What he said earlier on the racecourse stage was in the capacity of the CEO of Pingla and the decision-maker of the Zhekova Family. How could I casually overthrow that?”

“You, who are you to make Adrian and the Zhekova Family make such a huge sacrifice? You, are not worth it,” Cindy said coldly.