Chapter 866: Chapter 272: Let’s Leave It Like This for Now
“I’m sorry, Kate, I can’t tell you what to do because it’s your decision, you understand? I can only say that you must make a choice, the choice you believe you should make, and then bear the consequences that come with it. You know, Ed’s feelings… are still strong, otherwise he wouldn’t have compromised in the face of Emma’s threat and taken the blame for this and let you go. You should know how important you are in his heart.
But even so, it won’t last forever, everyone’s patience is limited, not to mention… you’ve already made a choice once, you know how he treated Natalie at the time, right? And now there’s Lily, Ed definitely won’t allow his daughter to grow up outside, think about how he tricked Jessica at the time. Also, you’ve seen how much he loves Lily, you have to consider all of this when making a choice, not just what it means for yourself, but also what impact it will have on Lily, and how you’re going to resolve it.”
“So you don’t want children, is that it?”
“… Maybe.”
“… I hate him, Charli.”
“Yes, I hate him too; we all hate him. He always seems to offer you a choice, but then he uses all kinds of tactics to force you to choose the one that benefits him. But… love and hate are often just a thin line apart, so we all know, the more you love him, the more you hate him. Listen, Kate, I’m saying all this not to pressure you; I’m still of the same opinion as before, this is your issue, you have to make a choice and then bear the consequences. So, you must consider everything thoroughly, don’t act impulsively, don’t measure with emotion, use your reason to analyze and think, got it?”
Remembering the last things Charlize said to her, Kate lying on the sofa, covered her forehead and sighed again, then reached out for the glass of red wine on the coffee table and took a big gulp.
“Feeling better now, Mom?” Lily’s head appeared above her, smiling, as if the earlier events hadn’t affected her mood.
Kate didn’t speak, she just quietly looked at her daughter’s innocent face, and after a long time, she turned over and pulled her daughter into her arms: “I’m sorry, dear, I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for, is there?” Lily hugged her mother, sounding a bit puzzled.
“I took you away from your dad without saying anything, are you upset?” Kate cupped the little one’s face, looking at her seriously and asking.
“Of course not, there must be a reason for Mom to do that, even if she doesn’t want to tell me,” her daughter shrugged, then stuck out her tongue making a funny face, “but I’ll find out sooner or later, if not now, then for sure later.”
The playful look made Kate chuckle, and her mood seemed to improve a little because of it. So after a moment of silence, she asked again: “Lily, do you love your dad?”
“Hmm… does Mom want to hear the truth or a lie?” Lily asked, turning her head after thinking for a few minutes.
“I want to hear both,” Kate laughed and patted her head.
“Okay, the lie is, I don’t love him at all, Dad is a bad guy, a big bad guy, who always likes to lecture and bully people, never cares about Mom, and may give me a new aunt or sister at any time.” The little one said seriously, as if these were her real thoughts, but Kate just smiled and said nothing, seeing that the pretending didn’t work, Lily had to clear her throat and continue.
“As for the truth, although Dad has many terrible points, and he rarely considers Mom’s feelings, always messing around outside, but… I still think Dad is great, Aunt Charli, Aunt Sarah, Aunt Monica, Aunt Sophie, they’re all nice, so are Deva, Juliet, Mary. So… I don’t want Dad and Mom to fight,” Lily said seriously.
She didn’t say much, but seeing those bright eyes Kate knew that there were many things the little one didn’t say because she had to consider her mom’s feelings. So, Kate sighed and hugged her daughter tightly.
How could she not know her place in Ed’s heart? She was neither slow nor a fool, she just couldn’t accept Ed’s actions, after all… how could he go so far? However, with Little Emma’s demonstrative move today, she suddenly realized that perhaps she had misunderstood something, maybe things were not what she had imagined.
If it were an ordinary woman, she would probably first exonerate herself, trying to prove she was not at fault, that it was entirely the other’s fault. Shifting responsibility is a human instinct, as long as the other party indeed has issues, exaggerating them internally will naturally allow one to ignore their responsibility.
In fact, because of Little Emma’s demonstration, Kate had leaned towards that direction, but fortunately, Charlize came over in time. Among Adrian’s women, she had the best relationship with her, even better than Sarah in many ways, the reason was complex, but they were indeed quite close often, and Lily also liked Aunt Charli a lot.
In any case, Charlize’s timely appearance made Little Emma disappear from sight, allowing Kate to control her emotions; then, she comforted her and offered some solemn advice, helping her regain her senses. Yet, because of this, Kate found herself in another predicament, she really didn’t know what to do now.
Charlize was right. Even if it were just for Lily, she had to be prudent, not to mention that over so many years, her relationship with Adrian had turned into a tangled mess, not something that could be let go of easily. Plus, the initial anger and excitement had passed, her thoughts were stirred up again by Little Emma’s demonstration—Kate was boiling with anger about this—leaving her only more puzzled now.
I hate you, Ed. Kate thought as she held her daughter.
While she was lost and directionless, Adrian was also having a headache over Little Emma’s self-willed actions.
“What should I say, Emma? You were supposed to go back to London for school, I agreed to let you stay a few more days, not to cause trouble!” Adrian said with a displeased look as he paced back and forth in the study, glaring at Little Emma.
“Trouble? Is that how you see me?” The young girl appeared aggrieved, “I was helping you, Ed.”
“Helping me?” Adrian raised an eyebrow, “Going to Kate and declaring that she lost and you won, she’ll never threaten you again, pushing a situation that still had a chance for resolution to an extreme, is that how you help me?”
“It’s not that serious, I just expressed some of my views and then let her reflect on them.” Little Emma put on a hurt look, but she dared not make eye contact with him.
“Don’t think that just because I’m not there I wouldn’t know what you would say, Emma. You understand me very well, but I also understand you,” Adrian walked to her, crouching to stare intensely at her, “so don’t play tricks on me. I have to figure out how to mend the problem you caused, you’ll go back to London tomorrow, and you’re not allowed to come to the United States before the end of the year!”
“How can you do this!” Emma jumped up immediately, showing an indignant look, “I did so many things for you, purposely acted as the big villain, and you know, in romantic comedies, villains like me end up really badly! Not only do you not reward me, but you even reprimand me, wanting to send me away, that’s too much!”
She clenched her fists tightly, swinging them hard twice, seeming truly angry, but unfortunately, this wasn’t enough to threaten Adrian.
“That’s the way it is, logically and reasonably you should go back.” He said this and then left the room without looking back.
“Hateful!” Little Emma stomped her foot forcefully, appearing genuinely angry, but as soon as the door closed, she calmed down quickly.
“I knew it would be like this.” The young girl folded her arms and muttered, pouting her lips and furrowing her brows, a completely different appearance from her just-angry look, changing so quickly it was surprising.
Then, she shrugged her shoulders again, let out a somewhat reluctant sigh: “It’s okay, I’ve said what needs to be said, I’m just this way, no one should expect me to change, if…”
She suddenly fell silent, sat back down on the sofa, biting her lip, gazing into the distance, her expression shifting several times, only after a long while did she sigh again.
“Are you all okay?” As Adrian came out from Little Emma’s room, Sarah, who had been waiting outside, immediately stepped forward.
“We’re fine, don’t underestimate Emma, the little devil causes as much trouble as Lily, but nothing major ever happens because she knows her limits.” Adrian shrugged, the previous annoyance gone, then he embraced Sarah, burying his face in her neck and taking a deep breath with an inexplicable scent: “Thank you, Sarah, thank you for staying with me these past two days,”
“There are many people by your side.” Sarah just said that.
“But among the four of you, only you have stayed by my side without leaving,” Adrian pressed against her mouth, stopping her from speaking, “Don’t say that Charli, Innie have things to handle, I don’t want to hear it.”
Sarah gazed at him for a long time, finally resting her head on his chest, giving him a strong hug. Some things don’t need to be said too much.
“So should everything continue as it is, or should adjustments be made?” After Adrian and Sarah arrived at the study room, and chatted a few words with the waiting Charlize and Ivanka, Ivanka, as the secretary, asked this.
“Of course adjustments need to be made. With Emma ‘helping’ from the side, the series of measures decided earlier can’t be used anymore,” Adrian sighed, “Obviously, at least in the coming days, even if I want to meet Kate, she won’t agree, so for now, it’s up to you to accompany her more. Of course, I hope it’s best to bring Lily back to stay for a few days.”
“Understood, I will make arrangements.” Ivanka shrugged indifferently.
“Does anyone have anything to add?” Adrian then asked, but he was looking at Charlize.
“Just one thing: it’s best if the news doesn’t spread too far.” Charlize added.
Adrian immediately raised an eyebrow, understanding her meaning. The matter of Kate leaving should be limited to the three of them and Little Emma and Yukie, with no need to explain the reason further.
“Should I say, your relationship is really good?” After Ivanka and Sarah left, Adrian called Charlize and asked with a smile.
“You indulge Emma and let me clean up the mess afterward, all for this, right?” Charlize shrugged.
“Oh?” Adrian showed a surprised expression, not feigned.
“I must admit, Emma Watson is indeed a smart and clever girl, surprisingly mature, but after all, she is still a little girl. The reason you and Kate couldn’t handle her well is largely because you treat her as just a child. So once you get serious, she unknowingly falls into your trap, which is your usual method.” Charlize spoke with a teasing look.
Faced with such an accusation, Adrian couldn’t help but smile embarrassedly. Well, he admitted, Little Emma declaring “sovereignty” to Kate was indeed a result of his indulgence. As said before, just as Little Emma understands him, he also understands her. So in this case, he could predict her actions and take advantage of them.
In the current situation, due to preconceived notions, no matter how Adrian explained, Kate wouldn’t listen. So when she questioned him that night, he took all the blame. Therefore, if he wants Kate to calm down and think carefully, the first step is to sufficiently shock her, and Little Emma is the best candidate for this task.
In the past, having trouble dealing with Little Emma was partly because she was mischievous, and because Adrian treated her as a child. But once their relationship changed, although still the same, when he gets serious and plots a little, there is no problem at all. The facts prove it too, initially he was a bit complacent about finally winning over the little devil once, only to be seen through by Charlize, the woman who knows him best.
“Don’t worry, I only figured it out after coming back.” The former secretary chuckled.
“I just want Kate back, with Lily,” Adrian showed a sincere expression.
When a person finds what she insists on is opposite to the fact, especially when it’s exposed by the person she wants to protect, the impact is understandably huge. At this time, having a close friend, who has shared the same bed with the same man, comfort her a few words naturally will make her truly calm down. When reason returns and confidence is hit, she will easily become weak and hesitant, leading to some…
“I know, I didn’t say anything,” Charlize brushed away her hair by her ear, “Actually, I’ve already instinctively cooperated with you, I… gave Kate a little hint…”
Adrian smiled slightly, then hugged Charlize from behind, kissed her on the back of her neck: “Without you, I really wouldn’t know what to do, Charli.”
Charlize snorted softly without turning around: “You should take note, if Kate comes back, her relationship with Emma might not be good. Do you know what that little girl said to Kate? Besides announcing her victory, she even asked Kate to be extra careful if she returns. I believe this must be her…”
“True thoughts, I know,” Adrian interrupted before she finished, “Indeed, letting her say it openly was better; otherwise, it wouldn’t truly provoke Kate. Unless absolutely necessary, I don’t want to lose her and Lily.”
As he spoke, his hands began to roam over her body, while gently rubbing against her cheek: “Thank goodness you are by my side, Charli, I really appreciate having met you ten years ago in the Big Apple.”
Charlize said nothing, just held his hand, closed her eyes, and felt his embrace. After a long time, she softly said: “I don’t know if there will be another time…”
“…Sorry, I can promise but can’t guarantee.” After a moment of silence, Adrian said.
“I knew it,” Charlize sighed, finally turning around, “A typical Ed-style answer.”
“If… if similar things happen again… would you leave me?” Even with Adrian’s thick skin, he still stammered a bit when asking this question.
“I don’t know,” Charlize shrugged, “But I think Ivanka would be very happy if I do.”
“Really?” Adrian raised his eyebrows in surprise, “I see you two are always the most excited during the 69 position.”
“Sarah and Innie are equally excited when they give you a blowjob together,” Charlize replied without blinking.
Adrian laughed loudly, squeezing her tighter at the waist: “Don’t you want a child?”
After a brief silence, Charlize spoke in a relaxed tone: “As I said before, if it’s a boy, he might become someone like you, if it’s a girl, she might meet someone like you. Besides, given your current hit rate, it’s almost certainly a girl, which would be too terrible.”
Nevertheless, a hint of pleading flashed in her eyes, even though it was brief, Adrian caught and interpreted it: Don’t control me in this way.
Yes, it’s pleading, meaning if Adrian insists, Charlize wouldn’t refuse, but she wouldn’t be willing internally because… it helps her feel a bit independent.
“Alright.” Adrian whispered, understanding her plea, then lowered his head to kiss those lips he never gets tired of, passionately entwining with Charlize.
“I love you, Charli, just like Kate.” He said at last.
The matter was temporarily put aside despite Lily returning to her father two days later, but Kate still hadn’t met Adrian, even though they talked by phone, it mostly ended with a hang-up after just a few words. Clearly, resolving it completely will take some time, but Adrian isn’t in a hurry; Lily’s return indicates that things are moving in the direction he imagined, and maybe things will restore to their previous state before he goes to Europe. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian (). Your support is my greatest motivation.)