Chapter 271

Chapter 271

In the café, Kaida sat in her wheelchair, pushed by her caregiver, Briar. Briar parked the wheelchair to the side and went to buy coffee. Kaida sat there, a blank expression on her face, oblivious to the fact that she was blocking the way. People moved around her, but one impatient person pushed her wheelchair aside.

Kaida was startled, gripping the armrests tightly.

Briar hurried back, frowning. "I told you not to come out with me. You insisted. You're just in the way in this wheelchair." Briar's voice was filled with annoyance and complaint, but Kaida seemed not to understand. She was just relieved to see Briar.

"Mrs. Thomas." Adeline said, mustering her courage.

Hearing the familiar voice, Kaida turned. Seeing Adeline, she looked confused. "Who are you?"

"You don't recognize me?" It had only been three years. Surely Kaida hadn't forgotten her. Adeline studied her closely, confirming that the confusion in her eyes was genuine, not an act. Kaida really didn't remember her.

"I…"

"Who are you?" Briar interrupted before Adeline could finish, her face a mask of suspicion. "I don't know you. Go away, or I'll call security."

"Don't misunderstand. I'm not a bad person."

"A bad person wouldn't say they're a bad person." Briar said, gripping the wheelchair defensively. "Mrs. Thomas, let's go home."

"Home." Kaida repeated, trusting and obedient.

Adeline watched them leave, not following. She realized Kaida's condition was not stable, and following her now would only frighten her. She would have to find another opportunity.

She went home and found Lily sighing on the sofa. "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

Lily threw herself into Adeline's arms, her big, bright eyes blinking. "Why didn't Daddy come?"

Adeline gently stroked her hair. She had no answer to that question.

"He hasn't come since you got back from the beach." Lily mumbled. "Liar. He broke his promise. He said he would take me to the amusement park."

Adeline's hand paused. "You like your daddy that much?"

Lily nodded immediately. "Yes. Daddy takes care of me." She counted on her fingers. "He doesn't smile much, but he always does whatever I ask. He said he would always let me be a princess."

"Your daddy said that?" It didn't sound like something Edward would say. Adeline couldn't even imagine him coaxing a child. He was naturally cold and reserved.

Lily scratched her head. "He didn't say it out loud, but I can hear his heart."

Adeline chuckled. "If you miss your daddy, you can have Olivia take you to his place."

"What about you, Mommy?"

Adeline hugged her gently. "Silly girl. Even if I'm not with you, I still love you. Whenever you miss me, you can come back and see me."

"Why can't we all live together?" Lily asked, a question that went straight to the soul. "We did for a while." Waking up every day to see both her parents, being picked up from school by both of them, eating together, listening to stories before bed… that had been the happiest time of her life.

Adeline didn't know how to answer. The conflicts between adults were too complicated. In the end, she could only say, "You can't always play with just one friend at school, can you?"

Lily nodded, as if she understood. "Okay. I'll call Daddy later. I'll stay with you, Mommy, but I can talk to Daddy on the phone."

"Good girl." Adeline said, stroking her head.

Edward's bad mood was contagious. The whole company was on edge, afraid of making a mistake. The atmosphere was tense. When Aaron walked in, he felt like he had entered some strict, disciplined institution. Everyone was working with a straight face, not saying a word. It was a completely different place.

He pushed open the office door and saw Edward at his desk. "Your face is so cold it could freeze water. Is something wrong with you and Adeline?"

Edward shot him a cold look.

Aaron sighed. "Women are fickle. It's hard to be a man." It was rare to hear such a sentiment from Aaron.

Edward felt a pang of sympathy. "What are you doing here?"

"Yes." Aaron said, getting to the point. "You told me Alicia went to see Adeline. I have a clue about what they talked about."

"Tell me."

As usual, he was concise. Aaron didn't beat around the bush. "I got a recording. Listen to this." It was the conversation between Adeline and Alicia. Most of it was Alicia talking, with Adeline's voice barely audible.

After listening, Edward's face grew even more grim. If what Alicia said was true, if Rupert was really involved… Edward closed his eyes, his hands gripping the armrests, veins bulging.

"So now you understand why Adeline is hot and cold with you," Aaron said.

Edward opened his eyes, his gaze bloodshot, his voice hoarse, as if he were barely holding back his emotions. "How do you know about this?" He hadn't told anyone about his problems with Adeline.

"Don't forget, my fiancée is Adeline's best friend." Aaron hadn't wanted to get involved. A person's love life was their own business. But his fiancée had come to him for help. It was the first time Olivia had taken the initiative since their own argument. Of course, he would do his best.

Just then, Edward's phone rang. The name "Mr. Thomas" flashed on the screen.

Aaron frowned and put his hand on Edward's. "My advice is not to alert him. Mr. Thomas is not an ordinary person." Rupert was a cunning old fox, seemingly gentle and easygoing, but actually very sly.

Edward took a deep breath. "Let go." Aaron immediately withdrew his hand.

Edward answered the phone. "Mr. Thomas."

"It's been three years, and you still call me Mr. Thomas?" Rupert's voice was filled with a weary sigh. "You haven't been back in a while. I was a little worried. Come home for dinner tomorrow. I'll have the kitchen make your favorite dishes."

Edward agreed. After hanging up, Aaron said, "Be careful when you go for dinner. Don't show any emotion. Don't alert him."

"Do you need to teach me that?" Edward knew that, of course.

"I'm just afraid you won't be able to control yourself." Edward was like an invincible Ironman, but even he had a weakness. His weakness was his emotions. And the object of his emotions was Adeline. She was his Achilles' heel.

"I know what I'm doing."

At the Thomas Villa, the first person Edward saw was Adeline. The second and third were Rupert and Alicia. A strange combination.

As he walked in, Rupert beckoned him over. "You're back. Come here. You're just in time. I have something important to tell you."

Edward and Adeline exchanged a look. Adeline was just as confused. She hadn't figured out how to deal with Rupert yet, and he had called her over.

"I know you've been wondering about some things lately," Rupert said. "I'm here to clear things up. Any misunderstandings, any conflicts, we'll resolve them today. So there won't be any awkwardness in the future."