Chapter 269

Chapter 269

Night fell. As eight o'clock approached, Adeline clutched her phone, watching Edward on the balcony, deep in a call.

"You go talk to him. This project needs to be finalized as soon as possible."

"I can't come back right now."

"Take Aaron with you."

Listening, Adeline suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.

Edward instinctively covered her hands with his, his attention immediately shifting from Anson on the other end of the line. "What's wrong?" he murmured. "Did you have a nightmare?"

Anson heard the gentle tone and knew instantly what was happening. He fell silent.

Adeline pressed her cheek against Edward's back. "Go back to the company." she said softly.

Edward hung up and tried to turn, but she held him fast. "Adeline."

"I'm not trying to get rid of you," she whispered. "I just want you to take care of your business. I'll wait for you here."

Edward could hardly believe it. It was the first time since she'd returned that she had hugged him willingly, the first time she had said she would wait for him.

"But…" He didn't want to leave.

"If you don't go back," Adeline said, "I'll be the one to blame."

"It's not that serious…"

"So, are you going back or not?"

Edward sighed in resignation. "I'll go." If she had coldly ordered him to leave, he might have refused. But this… he couldn't resist this. He gently held her, feeling the warmth and softness in his arms, a perfect fit as if they were made for each other. He lowered his head and placed a feather-light kiss on her hair.

Adeline didn't even feel it.

"Wait for me."

"Okay."

Adeline stood at the door, watching him leave. Then, she followed the location on her phone.

She found the room number from the message and knocked. Less than three seconds later, Alicia opened the door. "I knew you'd come."

Adeline stepped inside, and the door closed behind her.

Alicia sat on the sofa, studying her. "It seems you're really curious about your grandmother."

"I'm here. You can talk now." Adeline had no patience for pleasantries.

Alicia rested her chin on her hand. "It was simple, really. I just didn't like you, didn't want you with Edward. So I took your grandmother away. I didn't expect her to be so unlucky as to fall in the water and drown."

"If you're just going to talk nonsense, I'm leaving." Alicia had said all this before.

Alicia smiled. "Adeline, you're such a fool."

Adeline turned to leave.

"You want to know why your grandmother went with me, don't you? I'll tell you. I took her away in Edward's name. That's why you couldn't find anything. Mr. Rupert Thomas wouldn't let you. He wouldn't allow Edward's name to be tarnished."

Adeline froze."You're saying… Mr. Thomas knew about this."

"Of course. How else do you think I got away with it? Edward was investigating, too, but he couldn't find anything. Because Mr. Thomas was helping me."

Adeline's hands clenched into fists.

Alicia came up behind her. "Your real enemy isn't me," she said, her words slow and deliberate. "It's Mr. Thomas. And Mr. Thomas is Edward's benefactor, his adoptive father… How can you be with Edward? If you get married, won't you be marrying your enemy's adopted son?" She covered her mouth in mock surprise. "If your grandmother knew, she wouldn't rest in peace."

Adeline took a deep breath. "That's my business. Don't think you can shift the blame and I'll let you off the hook."

"Yes, you're so powerful. You almost killed me for your grandmother back then."

"So you're not afraid today?" Adeline stared at her, her gaze unwavering.

"Adeline," Alicia said, unfazed, "you're not like me. You acted out of anger back then, but you won't do it now. Because you have a daughter. Because you want to live."

"You're smart, but your cleverness ends here." Adeline wouldn't lay a hand on her. She had a clearer purpose now, a future she wanted to share with Lily. But that didn't mean she would let Alicia go.

Adeline left. Alicia frowned. She had a feeling Adeline's words held a hidden meaning. Whatever. As long as her goal was achieved, as long as Adeline and Edward couldn't be together, that was enough.

It was late when Edward returned to the cabin. The lights were off. He tiptoed inside and went to Adeline's room, but the door was locked from the inside. He didn't think much of it, assuming she was just scared.

In the morning, he woke up on the sofa and saw Adeline in the kitchen, making breakfast. He went over and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "Why didn't you wake me?"

Adeline stiffened and gently pried his hands off. "Go wash up. We'll eat in a bit."

Edward went to the bathroom. Adeline leaned against the counter, letting out a long, heavy breath.

After breakfast, Edward suggested, "A walk on the beach?"

"I have work to do later." Adeline said, not in the mood. "You go ahead."

He was disappointed, but he quickly smiled. "Okay."

He walked along the beach alone and saw a shop selling jewelry made from beautiful seashells. The shopkeeper asked him, "Buying for your girlfriend?"

Edward nodded. "This shell looks a bit sharp. Will it scratch her?"

"Don't worry, it won't. We've polished them all. And it's just for fun, anyway. You should take it off for work."

Edward bought a bracelet and went back to the cabin. Adeline was staring blankly at her computer. She heard his footsteps, and he slipped the shell bracelet onto her wrist.

"It's beautiful." he murmured.

Adeline looked at him, and Alicia's words echoed in her mind. She quickly stood up. "I'm a little tired. I'm going to take a nap. I'll skip lunch." She hurried back to her room.

Edward frowned, watching her go. Even he could tell something was wrong. How could her attitude change so completely overnight?

Adeline didn't come out all afternoon. Edward lost his desire to go out and sat on the sofa, waiting. In the evening, he saw her come out with her suitcase. He shot to his feet. "Where are you going?"

"Back," Adeline said. "I miss Lily."

Edward grabbed the handle of the suitcase. "Didn't we agree to stay here for the month?" They had made the agreement that first night on the beach, over barbecue and beer.

Adeline didn't fight him for the suitcase. "I'm worried about Lily. Let's go back first. We can bring her next time."

"That's an excuse." Edward said, his perception sharp. Lily was perfectly fine with Olivia. "You hugged me yesterday. Why the change today?"