Chapter 0007
Back at the Plaza Hotel, Riley’s mouth hung wide open as she thought deeply. Then, she asked, “Why can’t you just fix your engagement with Leni Eros?”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed. He responded, “I’m afraid the engagement is irreparable.”
“Did – did you try to reason with Miss Leni Eros?” Riley Inquired.
“You would not really understand until you meet her. Our engagement is off, and that’s final. Now, I need a wife,” Adrian said.
Riley gasped. She responded, “I–1 don’t think it’s a good idea, Adrian. I’m pretty traumatized right now –”
“I’m not Brian, Riley. I am a different person – a different man,” Adrian responded. “And, as you suggested, this will be some sort of contractual marriage, where expectations are set beforehand.
Riley gulped. She looked at Clint, hoping to get some help, but of course, he did not. So, instead, she said to Adrian, “But we don’t love each other –”
“You married for love. How did that turn out?” Adrian pointed out. “Love can betray you… But I won’t.‘
Riley raised a brow, She inquired, “How would I know that you won’t betray me?”
Adrian remained relaxed and expressionless. He simply responded, “We can put that in the contract. Should I betray you, you can have half of my assets
“What? Haha!” Riley had not laughed in a while, but Adrian’s suggestion certainly tickled her bones. She supposed she should thank him. “Adrian? Have you lost your mind? You are a billionaire, for crying out loud!”
“I am perfectly sane,” Adrian answered. Again, he had that poker face – a handsome kind. “It’s my way you that I won’t turn my back on you.”
Shaking her head, Riley answered, “That’s absurd – walt, are you doing this because of Brian? This pissing him off?”
of telling
is our way of
Riley knew one thing about Adrian and her now ex–husband: They used to be friends but became rivals. She never truly understood why, and Brian never explained it to her. However, was their misunderstanding so bad that Adrian would use her to get back at Brian?
“Please, if I wanted to piss off your good–for–nothing ex–husband, I would have just hired someone to break his legs, and I’d get away with it,” Adrian said with sarcasm in his voice.
“My reason is simple.I require a wife, and you are indebted to me. Why look for someone else when I can collect that favor you owe me?” Adrian clarified. “Besides, we are not strangers, Riley. Do you remember?”
“Right. Indeed, Adrian was no stranger to her. Adrian, Riley and Brian went to the same university in college. However, Riley and Brian had not spoken to Adrian in six years or so.
“Anyway, you don’t have to decide now. Like I said, I would never force anything on you, but I hope you
will agree to my proposition. After all, we will both benefit from it,” Adrian described. “However, I will enforce this: go to Zia and get yourself checked. I will not tolerate patients who are ignoring their health.”
“Ha?” Riley reacted. “But I signed a waiver –”
Riley’s words were cut off. Adrian raised a finger and said, “Listen to me. I won’t have it any other way. I am asking you to please have yourself checked. It will only take one hour at most. Your mother is being cared for in the ICU, am I right?”
Chapter 0007
“Yes,” Riley replied..
“Then, let me and Clint take you,” Adrian offered.
***
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King’s Medical Center.
“Okay, you’re good. You’re not bleeding heavily,” Zla confined. “But if you experience any discomfort, don’t hesitate to call me.”
Riley was inside Zia’s clinic, being evaluated. She smiled and said, “Thank you, Zia. You are an overprotective doctor.”
Zia sighed and responded, “It’s the least that I can do after what my stupid cousin has done to you.”
“He is not your responsibility, but I thank you still,” Riley conveyed. “I’m free now. I have signed the divorce papers.
Riley told Zia about the divorce terms, and she was aghast. Ria reacted, “How could he? Brian’s net worth should be around fifty million dollars. How could he give you so little?”
“I thought about asking for more, but I also did not want anything to do with him anymore. The faster the divorce can be processed, the better,” Riley responded. She smiled confidently and declared, “Besides, I can make it on my own. I’m jobless now, but I know I’ll make it.”
“And when I make it, I’ll show him,” Riley declared.
Sitting behind her desk, Zia looked teary–eyed. She sniffed and responded, “You will. I know you will.”
“Well, I better not keep you waiting. I’m sure you are eager to get back to your mom,” Zia said while getting up. By the way, I’m so happy for you and your mom.”
“Thank you, Zia. I am the happiest,” Riley said with gleaming eyes. “She is more than enough to keep me going.”
Riley and Zia embraced each other before saying their goodbyes. Afterward, Adrian brought Riley back to Halliport General Hospital.
As the car pulled into the driveway, Riley turned to Adrian, who sat beside her. She said, “Thank you for taking me back”
“Hmmm,” Adrian acknowledged. “Clint will process your mother’s transfer, so give him your number.”
“Right,” Riley answered, giving Clint her number.
“I’ll be in touch,” Clint responded with a smile.
Immediately, Riley felt comfortable with Clint. He was a young man in his early twenties with an amiable personality. She said, “It’s nice to meet you, Clint.”
“And thank you again, Adrian, for everything,” Riley glanced at Adrian before finally opening the door and leaving his luxury car.
Riley was a bit absent–minded, still thinking about Adrian’s suggestion. She didn’t realize that she was walking straight into a man.
“Riley? Watch where you’re going!” Riley looked up and saw Brian.
Instantly, her lips twitched before ignoring Brian and walking past him.
Chapter 0007
“Who was that?” Brian called.
Riley turned to Brian and asked curtly, “What?!”
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“Who were you with, Riley?” Brian inquired, seemingly looking furious. “Are you seeing another man?”
“So what if I am, Brian? It’s none of your business,” Riley responded before turning on her heel and entering the hospital. As she did, however, she felt Brian’s burning gaze on her back. She mused, ‘What is his problem?”
Inside the luxurious Maybach, Adrian saw through his tinted glass window how Brian attempted to chase after Riley. He saw how Brian was conflicted, but chose to back off either way.
Adrian clenched his hands into fists, and his jaws were equally tensed. He said, “Brian. Brian. What a fool. You don’t know the kind of precious diamond you just let go, but I’ll show you.”
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