Nigel paused on the other end of the call.
He didn’t answer imdiately. And when he finally did, he asked, "You’re going out for dinner?"
Adelyn humd in response, not bothering to speak—expecting him to simply answer her question.
But instead of telling her what she had asked, Nigel threw another question at her.
"With whom?"
Adelyn stopped in her tracks. Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"What? You won’t tell unless I answer you first?"
"I won’t," Nigel said without the slightest hesitation. "Why should I tell you where to go for a dinner date with your boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend?" she echoed, confused.
And Nigel imdiately followed with a scoff. "Don’t tell that just this afternoon, you went and registered your marriage with him already? Should I start calling him your husband now?"
Adelyn couldn’t help but cough.
Husband?
Having a boyfriend already felt rushed... why was he skipping steps and promoting him straight to husband?
"Did the cat get your tongue?"
"Cub," she gritted, trying to keep her calm, "you’re really learning the wrong kind of humor. Switch to a better one before it’s too late. Your jokes don’t land anymore. I can’t even pretend to laugh."
"Who’s trying to make you laugh?" Nigel retorted. "I’m asking you seriously. At the speed you got yourself a boyfriend, I wouldn’t even be surprised if you tell you’ve already gotten your marriage certificate."
"Really?" Adelyn asked.
She ant it as a light jab—but it hit Nigel like a warning.
"Adelyn Grace, did you actually—?"
"Calm down," Adelyn cut him off. "Of course I didn’t. What do you take for? Do you think I’d just go and pick up a husband out of nowhere?"
"So, you didn’t?" he asked again, as if needing confirmation.
She pursed her lips. "Of course I didn’t. But wait—" she paused, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Why are you being so touchy about having a boyfriend?"
Nigel froze for a second. Then, clearing his throat, he tried to compose himself.
"I’m just worried about you. Can’t you tell?"
"Haha... honestly," she said lightly, "if I didn’t know you better, I would’ve thought you were jealous."
"J-Jealous?" he repeated.
"Mm. Jealous that I found a boyfriend while you’re still single."
Nigel imdiately reacted. "Who would be jealous of sothing like that? And who said I’m single? I’m just... uninterested. The won around don’t interest ."
"Wait—" Adelyn interrupted him. "Don’t tell you’re into n? Is that why you’re eyeing my boyfriend?"
"..."
Nigel paused, taking a mont to process what she had just said. When he did, his voice rose noticeably.
"Adelyn Grace, say that again."
"I won’t," she replied, her tone playful. "Instead, why don’t you answer what I originally asked?"
"First, clear this up. Are you going on a date?"
Adelyn closed her eyes, gathering the last bit of patience she had left.
"I’m not. Did you even hear what I asked you earlier?" she said before repeating, "I asked you for a good place nearby where I can eat well without emptying my wallet."
"Do you think if I were going on a date, I’d ask you sothing that stingy?" she added. "Wouldn’t I just pick the best place?"
Nigel let out a low, almost mocking laugh. "If you haven’t left yet, go take a look at yourself in the mirror first."
"What do you an?" Adelyn asked, confusion returning to her face.
"Nothing," he said casually. "I just want you to see what a stingy person looks like. You wouldn’t think twice before inviting the President of the country to a roadside stall if it saved you money. A date is still too simple for you."
"You —"
"Fine," he cut in smoothly. "There’s a place not far from you. I’ll send you the location. Go there —you’ll find a few dishes you’ll like. But—"
"But what?" she asked imdiately.
There was a brief pause.
"Nothing," he replied. "Just eat and leave. Don’t get involved with anyone there."
"Understood," Adelyn said, not probing further—even though she could tell he was holding sothing back.
But it didn’t matter. She was only going out for dinner and would return right after.
She had no interest in getting involved in anyone else’s business.
After the call ended, a notification beeped on her phone.
Checking it, she saw a ssage from Nigel.
She glanced at the location, then, without wasting any more ti, headed in that direction.
—————
anwhile —
Back at Scott Villa —
After returning, Charlotte had locked herself inside her room.
She hadn’t co out since—neither for lunch nor for dinner.
When Liam returned, he looked around the house before asking Matilda,
"Has Mom still not co out of her room?"
Matilda shook her head. "We tried calling her for lunch, but she told us to leave her alone."
Liam’s expression turned visibly serious.
At that mont, Clara returned.
She walked in, but her expression was stiff—as though she had forced herself to co back.
Her fingers were clenched tightly at her sides.
"Liam," she called softly, "you’re here?"
Liam turned to her, his expression softening slightly. "You’re back. How did it go?"
She gave a weak smile and shook her head. "It went fine. Their brand is already well established. Endorsing them wouldn’t be a bad decision. But still, take a look when you have ti. I haven’t signed yet."
Liam nodded. "Don’t worry. I’ll check it."
Clara then looked around the house. The silence felt almost suffocating.
"Is Adelyn upstairs in her room?" she asked, trying her best to maintain composure. But just the thought of Adelyn being back made her uneasy.
She couldn’t stop her fingers from tightening into fists, her nails digging into her palms.
"I should go and apologize to her now that she’s here," she said, already turning toward the stairs.
But just as she took a step, Liam stopped her.
"There’s no need."
Clara halted, turning to look back at Liam with her brows furrowed. "No need? Why? Did she say she doesn’t want to see ?"
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