Chapter 4

Scarlett's POV

Adrian's gaze bore into me.

Riley flinched at his intensity, instinctively moving to shield me.

I gently pulled Riley aside and met Adrian's eyes. I told a lie.

"My friend is leaving. She has some family matters."

Adrian's expression softened slightly, but remained dark.

He walked over, looking down at me from his height, his tone stiff.

"About the chandelier incident-I'm sorry. The scene was too chaotic. I didn't notice you."

Didn't notice.

I forced a smile.

"It's fine, Mr. Sterling. I'm just a housekeeper. It would be strange if you had noticed me."

I used such a distant form of address for the first time.

Adrian's brow furrowed instantly. His gaze landed on my cast-covered arm, revealing surprise.

"It's this serious?"

He reached out, seemingly wanting to touch the cold cast, but stopped midway.

"I didn't know you were hurt this badly. I'll stay and take care of you."

His voice finally held a trace of warmth.

But my heart had long since frozen.

Just then, his phone rang.

It was Vivian.

Through the phone, Vivian's tearful voice came.

"Adrian, I'm scared. Every time I close my eyes, I see that chandelier falling. I had a nightmare."

Hesitation crossed Adrian's face.

I saw through his struggle.

So I made the decision for him, saying softly.

"Go to her. She needs you more."

A flash of guilt crossed Adrian's eyes, but he still turned to leave.

"I'll have someone from home come care for you."

With that, he quickly left.

I watched his retreating figure and smiled.

On discharge day, Adrian came to pick me up himself.

Vivian sat in the passenger seat.

He was taking us to a charity gala.

Throughout the drive, Adrian and Vivian chatted happily.

I sat in the back seat like a ghost.

The gala's auction segment became their stage for displaying affection.

Adrian spent lavishly for Vivian, bidding on famous paintings and jewelry.

He finally seemed to remember someone sat in the back seat and asked perfunctorily.

"Scarlett, is there anything you want?"

My eyes landed on a pair of antique cufflinks about to be auctioned.

Men's cufflinks, symbolizing lifelong protection.

I looked at those cufflinks for one second.

Adrian immediately understood and raised his paddle without hesitation.

After several rounds of bidding, he successfully won the cufflinks.

Just as I thought this was his small way of making up for my injury, Vivian spoke up sweetly from beside him. She explained the meaning behind those cufflinks: lifelong protection.

Adrian's hand holding the cufflinks instantly froze.

He glanced at Vivian, then at me.

After hesitating, under everyone's watchful eyes, he made a decision that turned me into the evening's laughingstock.

He handed the cufflinks, originally bid for me, to Vivian beside him.

"These are for you."

Only then did he turn back to me.

"Those aren't suitable for you. I'll bid on something else."

In that moment, I understood.

I didn't even qualify to be given something symbolizing his protection.

I looked at him and gently shook my head.

"No need, Mr. Sterling."

"I don't want anything anymore."