Chapter 106: Chapter 106: You Seem Quite Fond of Soft Girls

Hugo Sterling and Tessa Lawson turned toward the voice and saw Adrian Grant walking over, an indifferent look on his face.

Tessa Lawson shot a glance at Noelle Sutton, absolutely furious. ’Now everyone will know Tristan Lawson married a mute.’

Hugo Sterling said righteously, "Tessa thinks Noelle is an embarrassment to Tristan because she can’t speak. Adrian, you be the judge. How exactly is she an embarrassment to Tristan?"

Tessa Lawson felt an urge to punch Hugo Sterling. ’I dote on my brother; I don’t want my perfect brother to have any flaws. And Hugo just had to bring up the most sensitive topic!’

Adrian Grant’s gaze swept over Noelle Sutton.

’She’s even more beautiful today.’

"Tessa, Noelle is Tristan’s wife. Tristan himself hasn’t said a thing, nor does he seem embarrassed. So why are you the one who thinks she’s a disgrace? I certainly don’t see it."

Tessa Lawson’s eyes flickered as she asked in surprise, "So even you know she’s Tristan’s wife?"

Adrian Grant raised an eyebrow. "Yep. Three days ago at The Carmine Club. Tristan was with us, and she was there too. Kyle Sawyer called her a mute, and Tristan actually blew up at him."

Tessa Lawson’s lips twitched into a sneer as she glared at Noelle. "You really know how to stir up trouble, don’t you? Why couldn’t you just stay at Westhill Villa and be Mrs. Lawson quietly? Did you have to come out and make a spectacle of yourself so the whole world would know? If you have this much time on your hands, why not go challenge Sophie Hughes instead of meddling in Tristan’s social circle?"

"Tessa Lawson!" Hugo Sterling called out her full name. "Noelle is my guest. Show her some respect. Tristan knew she was coming today. If you want to throw one of your little princess fits, go clear it with your brother first."

The color drained from Tessa Lawson’s face. She and Hugo Sterling had bickered ever since they were kids, but it never truly affected their relationship. In public, Hugo always made sure she didn’t lose face. Yet here he was, being completely blunt with her for Noelle Sutton’s sake.

Finding herself on the losing end, people tend to subconsciously seek help. Tessa Lawson turned to Adrian Grant. "Adrian, just look at the way Hugo is treating me!"

Adrian Grant said mildly, "Well, you’re Noelle’s sister-in-law. Maybe you should first take a look at your own attitude toward her."

Tessa Lawson was floored.

’Both of these men... they’re actually taking Noelle’s side.’

She pointed at Hugo Sterling, then at Adrian Grant. "You two... You’ll be the death of me!"

With that, Tessa Lawson spun around and stormed off in her high heels.

’I’m going to find Old Master Sterling and tell on Hugo for this.’

’Ever since they were kids, Old Master Sterling had wanted her to marry Hugo and had always treated her exceptionally well.’

’As if she’d ever fall for that jerk Hugo Sterling.’

’He’s been infuriating me since we were little!’

Hugo Sterling turned to Noelle, his voice full of apology. "I’m so sorry. I invited you here but failed to protect you and let you get picked on. That’s just how she is—she never thinks before she speaks. Please don’t take it to heart."

Noelle Sutton smiled faintly and typed on her phone to tell Hugo Sterling that it was alright; she wouldn’t let it bother her.

’She’d seen far too much scorn and mockery since she lost her voice. She was used to it.’

"You have such a wonderful temperament. It’s rare. Let’s go inside."

Hugo Sterling gestured for her to proceed.

Adrian Grant didn’t follow them. Hugo Sterling looked back as he walked. "Adrian, you coming? What are you standing there for?"

"I’m going to have a smoke. You guys go in first."

"Alright. Don’t be too long."

Adrian Grant lit a cigarette, his gaze fixed on Hugo Sterling and Noelle Sutton’s retreating figures.

’What Tessa said just now was nasty enough. She probably treats Tristan’s wife like this all the time at the Lawson residence.’

’Such a rare, good temper.’

’The last girl he’d known with a temper this good was the youngest Miss Sterling.’

’He’d been a brat when they were kids and had cut off the little pigtails she had taken so long to grow. Mrs. Sterling had been furious and was about to punish him, but the little girl had pleaded on his behalf. She’d said that she was pretty, so cutting her pigtails didn’t affect her beauty at all, and that she wasn’t the least bit angry.’

’All in all, she was a very sweet and gentle girl. He had always doted on her like a little sister. A shame she went missing later on.’

’Hugo is so warm toward Noelle probably because her gentle personality reminds him of his own little sister.’

Adrian Grant had taken a few drags from his cigarette when Tristan Lawson arrived. "Why didn’t you go in?"

Adrian Grant lifted the hand holding his cigarette. "Can’t you see I’m smoking? Want one?"

As he spoke, he pulled out the pack, took out a cigarette, and offered it to Tristan Lawson.

Tristan Lawson took it.

The night air was intoxicating.

The outdoor lights were dim. Shrouded in pale smoke, the two handsome, distinguished men were a striking sight.

"Tristan, I’ve discovered you seem to have a thing for sweet, gentle girls."

Tristan Lawson exhaled a cloud of smoke, raising a sharp eyebrow. "Do I?" he asked lightly.

"When we were kids, didn’t you have a huge crush on the youngest Miss Sterling? When we used to play house, you even brought her along to ’divorce’ me so you could be with her. Have you forgotten?"

"That was forever ago. How can you take that seriously?"

Adrian Grant gave a faint smile. "If childhood antics don’t count, then what about Sophie Hughes later on?"

Sophie Hughes had been raised by the Hughes Family to be a proper lady, and her personality was certainly gentle and graceful.

But in Adrian Grant’s eyes, Sophie’s gentleness was cultivated, whereas the youngest Miss Sterling was blessed with a sweet nature that was entirely innate.

"That’s all in the past. What’s the point in bringing it up?"

Tristan Lawson’s expression was unreadable.

He didn’t seem to show any strong emotion.

"So, the distant past is in the past, and we can’t take it seriously. Fine. What about the present?"

Tristan Lawson pressed his lips together and remained silent.

Adrian Grant didn’t press him. "Your wife went inside. We just ran into your sister out here, and judging by her attitude..."

Adrian Grant paused for a moment. "Tsk... Your wife can’t talk, so she can’t even defend herself when people pick on her. It’s sad to watch. I bet she gets picked on a lot at the Lawson home, doesn’t she?"

"What nonsense are you talking about."

Adrian Grant walked over to a nearby trash can to toss his cigarette butt, then came back and clapped Tristan Lawson on the shoulder. "The way a man treats his wife determines how everyone else treats her. Tristan, I’m not blind. Just a word of advice from a friend: don’t push things too far, or you’ll live to regret it."

Tristan Lawson took a deep drag from his cigarette. "You talk as if you’re so experienced."

A confident smile spread across Adrian Grant’s handsome face. "I may not be married, but I haven’t been single in years."

Adrian Grant moved in the entertainment industry, a place with no shortage of women.

He went through girlfriends one after another.

"Tristan. Adrian."

Sophie Hughes and Kyle Sawyer had arrived, interrupting Tristan Lawson and Adrian Grant’s conversation.

The four of them then headed inside together.

Tristan Lawson received a call and stepped aside to answer it.

Just as Adrian Grant, Sophie Hughes, and Kyle Sawyer reached the entrance, they came across Noelle Sutton, who was hurrying out.

"Noelle?"

Sophie Hughes couldn’t hide her surprise at seeing her.

’She knew that in all these years, Tristan Lawson had never brought Noelle to any public events.’

’For Noelle to show up here today, dressed so beautifully... Did Tristan allow this?’

’Was Tristan planning to go public with their marriage?’

Noelle Sutton shot a cold glance at Sophie Hughes and Kyle Sawyer before her eyes landed on Adrian Grant. She gave him a slight nod and a smile in greeting, then continued on her way out.

"Tch." Kyle Sawyer snorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Well, Adrian, Mrs. Lawson seems to have a soft spot for you. I really don’t get you and Hugo. We’ve known Sophie for years, but the moment you meet that woman, you both trip over yourselves to take her side. It’s pathetic."