Chapter 26

“Melvin Duncan, perhaps having Miss Adkins make the call might be better. The way you put it seems to imply that his absence is somehow my fault, Grace Sherman remarked, finding Melvin’s perception of her Influence somewhat. overstated. She chuckled self–deprecatingly.

“Isn’t it because of you? That night, he argued with you, and the next morning, he called you. You managed to upset him again. Just think about it: Mr. Brian rarely loses his temper with anyone. It’s only you…

Grace interjected, “Melvin, please stop. His absence couldn’t possibly be because of me. Bealdes, I haven’t been home these past few days, so even if he were to return, he wouldn’t find me there. Please don’t worry about It.”

After saying this, she ended the call abruptly.

However, despite everything, her mind couldn’t settle down, and she wondered, “Brian didn’t return home, nor did he go to see Louise Adkins. So, where did he go?

Did he spend the whole day sleeping at the company?”

At Francis Group Brian did indeed stay at the company. Firstly, it was due to the recent workload piling up. The project with the Summit Sphere Group was about to kick off, and as it was a significant project, he oversaw its progress.

Secondly, he didn’t find it appealing to return because he realized no one was home. In fact, on the second day after Grace left, he returned home.

In the dead of night, the entire villa felt eerily vacant. The living room engulfed in complete darkness made him suddenly uncomfortable, a peculiar sense of restlessness creeping into his mind.

Suddenly, he remembered how, over the past two years, Grace would wait for him no matter how late it got. But now, coming back to an empty house, the sudden dislike he felt made him anxious.

“It’s not a good habit,‘ he thought. “Grace has less than three months left before leaving. I need to break this habit.

‘No, without Grace, there’s Louise. I’ll spend my life with Louise from now on, and this home won’t feel desolate.

That very night, he departed.

Brian received a phone call from Louise, who softly and tenderly confided her longing for him.

“Brian, I heard from Melvin that you haven’t been home these days. Is that true?”

“Yeah, the company has been quite busy these days, so I haven’t gone back,” Brian said in a detached tone over the phone while smoking.

“Brian, it hurts to see you working so hard. Is there anything I can do to help you?”

“It’s okay, once I’m done with this busy period, I’ll come to pick you up.” Brian listened to her sweet voice, yet inside, he remained calm without much emotion.

Listening to his calm and indifferent voice, Louise suddenly felt something was amiss.

MA * UN46% 20:11 It’s been five days since she left, yet his voice sounded indifferent.

“Could it be that over these five days, he hasn’t missed me at all?‘ she thought.

She sensed a hint of danger.

But since Brian had already said so, she couldn’t press him further to come pick her up; it would make her seem too desperate.

After hanging up the phone, Louise pondered momentarily and sought help from Marshall Adkins in the study.

“Dad” Louise called out sweetly.

“Louise, you’re here.” Marshall immediately set aside his work upon seeing her and smiled warmly.

“What brings you to me, dear?”

“Dad, the other day when Brian dropped me off, we didn’t get a chance to have a meal together. Since our families have been in a marital alliance for some time, we haven’t officially shared a meal. Would you consider taking some time to invite Brian for a meal? We could also discuss potential project collaborations. What do you think?” Louise sat beside him, linking her arm with his, speaking sweetly.

Marshall felt that his daughter was quite perfect, contemplating everything. He also found her earlier suggestion quite reasonable.

Therefore, he immediately agreed, “My daughter is thoughtful. So, when do you think would be suitable?”

*Instead of picking a day, why not just do it today?” she replied.

“Alright, then Dad will call Brian right away Louise smiled with satisfaction. Marshall was an elder figure, and Brian wouldn’t easily refuse his request.

She waited in the study for her father to make the call. When she heard that Brian agreed, she left the room contentedly.

The dinner will be held at the Serenity Palace Hotel.

All the members of the Adkins family had gathered, and even Ava Adkins had returned home.

Ava was still attending college; this was the first time she had seen Louise since returning.

Why did a sister suddenly appear out of nowhere? And now, my father is trying to arrange for her to marry Brian Francis!

“On what grounds?‘ Ava thought.

When Louise walked in, her entire expression fell, Louise could sense Ava’s hostility toward her but ignored it. She confidently walked over and sat beside her.

“Ava, I’m your sister, but you can call me Louise directly,” she said.

Ava showed no courtesy at all, pushing aside the gift she had been given.

Louise paused briefly, maintaining her graceful smile, and good–naturedly picked up the item from the floor.

CS σ MM “You little rascal, she’s your sister! Do you know how much she suffered outside all these years?”

Marshall Adkins slammed the table in anger.

“Why does she get to marry Brian? Why? I’m your daughter, too! How could you only think about her and not me?” Ava was furious, her temper flaring. Because Louise, her father, was so harsh to her, she yelled in frustration, feeling utterly indignant.

Marshall was fuming, his face red with anger, and he stood up, looking like he was about to go over and hit her.

Louise hurriedly intervened, “Dad, please don’t be angry. Ava didn’t mean it on purpose.”

“You better hold your tongue and consider the occasion! Don’t say another word!” Ava’s mother, Shannon Adkins, forcefully pulled her to sit back down.

“Mom, you’re even siding with that woman, Louise Adkins?” Ave looked at her in disbelief.

Just then, Brian Francis pushed the door open and entered.

Upon seeing him, Marshall’s expression stiffened. He was sure that Brian had overheard their conversation just now.

He quickly forced a smile to diffuse the situation. “Brian, sorry for the scene. Come, sit over here.”

Brian’s expression remained inscrutable as he nodded, moving to take a seat. Louise sat beside him, displaying attentiveness throughout the meal by serving him food and pouring wine.

Seated across from them, Ava was infuriated by the intimacy between Louise and Brian, feeling so enraged that she could almost crush her teeth in anger.

But with Brian’s presence, she didn’t dare to explode in anger.

Louise had also had a few drinks that evening. After the dinner ended, with a slightly flushed face, she leaned on Brian. Taking advantage of the alcohol, she coyly expressed, “Brian, I miss you so much. I haven’t been able to sleep well these past few days without you…”

“As daughters grow up, they become hard to hold onto. Brian, why don’t you take her back with you?”

Marshall remarked with a wide grin, observing the inseparable bond between the two.

“Alright, then I’ll take Louise home first. Please take care on your way back.” Brian gently put his arm around her shoulders, showing no objection to Marshall’s suggestion.

The car arrived at the villa, and Louise pretended to be tipsy, leaning askew against Brian, playfully urging him to carry her to her room.

Brian caught the strong scent of perfume emanating from her, causing a faint furrow in his brow.

Nevertheless, he maintained a composed expression and carried her back to her room.

“Brian, don’t go… Stay with me tonight, okay?”

d