Chapter 18
Under Adrian’s cold gaze, Eva felt a bit uneasy.
Didn’t he come with Vivian at lunchtime? Why wasn’t Vivian in the office now?
Lost in thought, Eva didn’t catch what Carter asked her, but she quickly snapped back to reality and responded. Soon the report ended, and Carter offered to leave.
Adrian gave a cold nod.
As Carter turned around, Adrian fixed his eyes on Eva.
Earlier, when she stood behind Carter, she was partially hidden from his view. But now, there was no way to avoid it.
Just as Carter reached the door, he suddenly turned back and looked at Eva.
“Eva, shall I pick you up again tomorrow at noon p>
Eva was taken aback.
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“Mr. Blackwood, do you mind if I have a word with Eva?” Carter asked.
Eva furrowed her brows, wondering what he was up to.
Before she could react, Adrian coldly replied, “Better not, considering it’s working hours p>
Carter seemed surprised by his response, but he added, “Then I’ll come for her after work.” With that, he left.
The office fell into a hushed silence.
Adrian’s intense gaze landed on Eva’s face with a tinge of displeasure.
“So, you went out with him during lunch p>
Eva nodded. There was no point in denying it. After all, nothing happened between her and Carter.
Adrian’s brows knitted. “What did you do together p>
“We had lunch and discussed yesterday’s work p>
Adrian’s frown deepened, but the mention of work eased his tension.
They both worked for the Blackwood Group. It was normal for them to discuss work.
Still, Adrian harbored some displeasure within him. He pressed his lips together and said, “People might think I’ve been mistreating you.” Subconsciously, Eva responded, “And you think you haven’t mistreated me p>
As soon as the words left her mouth, both of them froze.
Eva felt annoyed with herself.
Perhaps it was their childhood together that made her so unrestrained in her speech around Adrian.
Adrian had seen her at her ugliest, most disheveled, and most childish.
During her reflections, Adrian abruptly stood up and approached her.
Though his figure was slim, he exerted a powerful presence, perhaps because of his longstanding position of power.
Eva instinctively stepped back.
But Adrian gripped her shoulders and trapped her between his strong chest and the cold wall.
“What are you doing?” Eva swallowed.
She wanted to escape, but Adrian held the nape of her neck. Then his warm breath brushed her face.
“Now, tell me how exactly I’ve mistreated you,” he said in a low, melodious voice.
He even kneaded the nape of Eva’s neck, each touch searingly tender.
Confusion flashed in Eva’s eyes. What was he doing?
She believed that he would give a cold shoulder to her, especially after he ignored her message yesterday and disappeared for the night. At the very least, it should have been awkward.
But now he behaved like he had never received that message at all.
Or perhaps he was pretending as if nothing had happened?
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Adrian pinched Eva’s chin and narrowed his eyes. “What’s wrong p>
Eva stared into his face, her lips parted, words trapped at the edge of her tongue.
She wanted to ask him, but she couldn’t utter a single word.
What if he questioned her, “I was just trying to leave you some dignity. Why can’t you see that p>
How should she respond?
She’d better take care of it quietly.
“It’s nothing,” Eva shook her head.
Adrian’s eyes darkened.
Eva had been acting strange lately. She suddenly felt distant, unwilling to say anything.
As he thought about this, the affectionate feeling disappeared completely. Adrian released Eva’s chin and stepped back.
Suppressing the lump in her throat, Eva said, “I’ll get back to work p>
As she turned around, she heard Adrian say, “Wait p>
“What p>
“You haven’t taken your vacation this year, right p>
Eva paused and nodded. “Yes p>
“Then start your vacation tomorrow p>
“Tomorrow p>
“Yeah, you’ve been unwell recently. You can have a good rest during your vacation p>
His concern was for Eva’s recent state and fever, prompting him to suggest an early vacation.
But to Eva, his words could be translated into a warning.
She rarely took her vacation at this time of the year, but Adrian asked her to take it early. Was he suggesting that she should get rid of the child during her vacation? Having known him since childhood, Eva understood him too well.
He was not one to mince words or act pointlessly.
Despite being aware of this possibility, Eva still felt a chill down her spine.
After a long while, she replied in a strangled voice, “Okay, I’ll start my vacation tomorrow p>
Upon hearing of this, Emily got furious and almost swept the utensils off the table and onto the floor.
“Damn Adrian! How could he be so cruel? I’m going to kill him p>
Anticipating her outburst, Eva had booked a private room in advance to ensure privacy for their conversation.
While Emily raged, Eva appeared calm. However, she didn’t touch any of the dishes on the table and just quietly sipped her tea.
Seeing Emily angry, she advised, “Don’t be mad. We’d have to pay for anything broken p>
“You’re right.” Emily quickly put down the cup in her hand, but then she stood up and shook Eva’s shoulders, “Eva, how can you stay so calm? He can’t treat you like this p>
Eva, feeling dizzy from the shaking, put down her cup. “So what should I do? Force him to take responsibility and let him, Vivian, and everyone else laugh at the Hansen family?” She paused and shook her head. “Our marriage is a mere transaction. At least we should part ways with dignity p>