Tears instantly welled up in Shannon Preston’s eyes, making her look pitiful.

She looked at Mia Kane with extreme reluctance. "I’m sorry—"

She shouted the words, her unwillingness obvious, then ran upstairs crying and SLAMMED her bedroom door shut.

Mia Kane looked helplessly at Adrian Preston.

"What was the point? I don’t need a fake apology like that. It will only make her resent me more in the future."

"She can’t be spoiled, or she’ll get completely out of control. I can only ask you to bear with it for now. She’ll learn to behave later."

"I’m going to my room to rest..."

She was about to head upstairs when he called out to her.

"All your things have been moved to my room."

"Huh?"

"Shannon will report back to Grandpa. Don’t worry, I’ve set up a cot. It won’t be an issue."

"That’s fine, then."

Mia Kane didn’t say much more and went to the master bedroom. She found her belongings neatly arranged. Seeing the quilt folded into a perfect, military-style block made her want to laugh.

She was getting her laptop to take care of some work when there was a knock on the door. She thought it was Adrian, but to her surprise, it was Shannon Preston.

She stood with her arms crossed, chin tilted up, practically looking down her nose at Mia.

"I need to talk to you."

"Come in."

After Shannon came in and saw Mia’s things, she became furious.

"I don’t like you. I suggest you divorce my brother immediately."

"As long as your brother likes me, that’s all that matters. You’re not important. Besides, you’ll be getting married and leaving someday anyway."

"You...! Let me tell you, my parents have already chosen a marriage partner for him. She’s the daughter of some royal family from abroad. They’d never let my brother just marry some random person!"

"Oh. Then go talk to your brother. Have him come and divorce me."

"Can’t you just leave on your own? Are you that shameless? Do you have to leech off our family?"

"Very shameless. As thick as a castle wall."

Mia Kane was unfazed, completely impervious to the insults.

’Shannon is just throwing a childish tantrum. There’s no way I’m going to pack my things and leave just because of this.’

"You’re so shameless! What tricks did you use to get where you are? Did you sleep your way into this? There wasn’t a single whisper about you, and my brother just got back from the military. You definitely didn’t use any proper means. Otherwise, why wouldn’t you dare tell my parents? Why marry him in secret first?"

"Go ask your brother."

"No, I’m asking you! Tell me, what kind of spell did you cast to make my brother marry you!"

Shannon was relentless.

Mia lost her patience and pushed her toward the door. "Go find your brother."

"Don’t push me..."

When they reached the doorway, Mia gave Shannon a small push. Unexpectedly, Shannon fell hard to the floor with a THUD, scraping her knee and immediately bursting into tears.

"Shannon!"

Adrian Preston happened to see this exact moment. He rushed forward and bent down to check Shannon’s wound.

It was clearly a small scrape, but the bleeding just wouldn’t stop.

"Brother... she pushed me..."

Mia was about to explain, but then she met Adrian’s deep, bottomless gaze. All the words suddenly caught in her throat, and she couldn’t speak.

"Brother, it won’t stop bleeding... What do I do? Am I going to die?"

"I’ll take you to the hospital."

Mia watched helplessly as he carried Shannon away. Her body stiff, she mechanically shuffled back into the room.

’What did that look mean?’

’Does he think I pushed Shannon?’

’I didn’t even have enough strength to push someone over like that.’

She had seen this trick before. It was exactly what Vivian Lynch used to do to her, and she could still picture Chase Lockwood protecting Vivian. Now, she was seeing it all over again.

’Adrian will definitely take his sister’s side.’

For a moment, Mia felt a surge of grievance.

’He can believe what he wants!’

「Night fell.」

Adrian finally returned with Shannon.

She stood on the balcony, peeking out from behind the curtains.

Adrian was carrying Shannon with extreme care. After taking her to her room, he didn’t come out for a long time.

Mia sat on the edge of the bed, guessing that Adrian would be coming in soon, probably to confront her.

’What should I say?’

’Explain that I didn’t push her?’

She didn’t want to be misunderstood, especially not by Adrian.

Her heart felt heavy, as if a stone were weighing it down.

The door opened. When she saw his tall figure, she couldn’t help but straighten her back, not wanting to appear pathetic.

"How were things at the hospital? Was the scrape serious?"

"She has a congenital blood clotting disorder. That’s why the family is usually so careful. We can’t let her get even a tiny cut, for fear it won’t stop bleeding."

"It’s that serious? I... I didn’t push her..."

"I know."

"You... know?"

This time it was Mia’s turn to be stunned. She had thought she would have to explain herself for so long that her throat would go dry.

She never expected Adrian to say he knew.

"I was worried about her condition at the time. She needed immediate medical attention, so I didn’t have time to talk it over with you."

"Oh, I see... Is she okay now?"

"She’s fine now. It was a false alarm, but we still need to be careful."

Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose wearily.

"Have you washed up?"

"I have."

"Then you should get to sleep. I’m going to wash up."

After Adrian finished, he unfolded his cot. Lying on such a small single bed, he looked rather cramped.

But Mia didn’t generously offer to switch with him. He was the one who didn’t want to share a bed with her, insisting on squeezing onto the tiny, shabby bed himself. It had nothing to do with her.

"Your sister really doesn’t like me."

"I didn’t expect her to be like this, either. She’s usually very supportive of my decisions. I’ll talk to her about it gradually."

"I should move out. Otherwise, there will be constant conflict."

"Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for her to stay somewhere else. You don’t have to move."

When Mia heard this, her heart skipped a beat.

’Does that mean... between Shannon and me, Adrian chose me?’

’He gave up on his own sister and chose me, an outsider?’

The outcome was a complete surprise to her.

"Won’t that make her cause an even bigger scene?"

"It’s fine. At her age, it’s time she learned to be more sensible. She can’t keep acting so willfully."

A warm feeling spread through Mia’s heart. Being defended so resolutely felt wonderful.

"By the way, your sister said your parents have found a marriage partner for you abroad. Her status is much more illustrious than mine..."

She couldn’t help but mumble.

Hearing this, Adrian let out a low, pleasant-sounding laugh.

"Mrs. Preston, saying things like that might make me mistakenly think you’re jealous."

"You’re overthinking it. I just think that if it really comes to that, I’d rather be the one to ask for a divorce than be dumped by you. At least I’d have the upper hand. Adrian Preston, if there ever comes a day you’re fooling around with another woman, I will file for divorce. It will be me leaving you, understand?"

"There will never be such a day."

Adrian’s voice was soft, yet it held an indescribable firmness.

"It had better be."

Mia rolled over to sleep, ending the conversation.

She was genuinely getting sleepy.

Soon, she drifted off into a deep sleep. She felt as if someone was gently caressing her face.

This wasn’t the first time.

’Is it just my imagination, or is it real...?’

When she woke up the next day, Adrian was already gone. He was either out for a run or had left for the company.

She had been going for runs at night recently; she simply couldn’t get up in the morning.

She went downstairs for breakfast. Shortly after, Shannon Preston also came down, her knee wrapped in gauze, looking somewhat serious as she was helped down the stairs.

The look she gave Mia was triumphant, as if to say, ’You’re no match for me.’

Just then, Adrian walked in after his morning workout.

"You’re awake? Then pack your things and move out."

He said it casually while wiping the sweat from his body, not looking at anyone in particular.

Shannon said smugly, "Sister-in-law, you should hurry up and pack. I get hurt easily when you’re around, and my brother’s heart aches for me. What can you do? Sorry, not sorry."

"You’re right. I’ll go pack my things."

Mia went upstairs.

Shannon hadn’t brought many things with her, so packing was exceptionally easy. Mia quickly packed the suitcase and brought it downstairs.

Shannon’s expression changed. "Brother, look at her! She’s gone too far! She packed *my* suitcase!"