Chapter 180
Chapter 180:
A sudden grin spread across Simon’s face as a thought struck him. “Wait a second! Who was the guy who hijacked my precious pink car yesterday just to chauffeur his wife around? Adrian, thanks to you, I had to grab a cab home. Talk about abandoning a friend p>
Adrian answered without a hint of irritation, sticking to the facts. “She had already been in my own car before. I worried she might recognize it. I’ve switched to another one now, so your toy on wheels won’t be needed again p>
Simon threw his head back in mock despair. “Unbelievable! You’ll never understand style. You keep dragging yourself around in those funeral-black boxes—utterly lifeless! Who would even want to sit in one of those p>
Then his eyes gleamed with mischief as he leaned closer, voice dripping with playfulness. “Come on, tell me. Cruising in my limited-edition beauty with your wife—wasn’t that a thrill? Did she squeal and gush, ‘Oh wow, this is amazing’? Did she give you that wide-eyed, starry look? Hm p>
However, Adrian remembered Sophie’s hesitant face, the way she stumbled for words. His own expression barely shifted as he replied flatly, “She was revolted p>
“What?” Simon gawked at him like he’d just heard blasphemy. “Come on, that car was a rare Barbie pink edition! Every woman dreams of riding in it! Your wife must’ve gone crazy over it p>
Adrian had no patience left, so he snatched a folder from the table and smacked it straight across Simon’s face.
𝖣і𝘀𝖼o𝘷𝗲𝗋 𝘩і𝘥𝘥𝖾n 𝗴𝗲ms 𝗈𝗇
“Ow! That hurt!” Simon howled, clutching his cheek with exaggerated flair.
“Enough with the nonsense. Go handle your work,” Adrian said coldly, flicking his hand to wave Simon out.
Simon huffed and rolled his eyes as he shuffled toward the door, muttering, “Always the same stone-faced act. If Sophie had normal taste, she’d never have chosen you—the walking statue with zero charm. Tsk, what a tragedy p>
At last, silence settled over the office. Adrian pressed his fingers against his temples, reopened his phone, and skimmed through the chat. Ever since Simon had sent those texts to Sophie, she hadn’t sent a single reply.
His brows drew together as he realized those texts might have tipped her off. Could she have sensed something wasn’t right? What gnawed at him more was the possibility that Sophie had overlooked every odd detail.
After a pause, he drafted a message, trying to patch things up. “Probably running a mild fever earlier. My head felt fuzzy. Forget whatever nonsense I sent before p>
Relief came quickly when her response lit up the screen. “Haha! I knew it—you must’ve skipped your meds! Just teasing! How are you now? Is the fever gone? Did you check your temperature? Did you take anything for it? You said your company gave you leave, but I bet you just called in sick because you didn’t want me stressing out p>
Adrian’s lips curved slightly as he read, amused by her concern. She clearly had noticed that something was off with Simon’s earlier texts.
“I’m a lot better now,” he replied.
Right away, Sophie responded, “Just saying you’re better doesn’t prove anything! Take your temperature and send me a picture. I want solid proof p>
Adrian couldn’t help but smile as he typed quickly. “No thermometer in sight p>
Sophie’s reply popped up before he could even set the phone down. “How can that be? You’re at home, right? Look in the white kit under the coffee table. There’s a silver digital one in there p>
That was when Adrian remembered Simon’s excuse—claiming he had the day off and was lounging at home while messaging her. So he adjusted fast, sending another line. “I’m too drained to move. Been lying in bed all this time. I’ll check it later p>
Sophie’s worry only spiked after reading that. “Still running a fever? Still weak? Don’t you dare get up! I’m telling my boss I need to leave early. I’m coming straight over to you p>
Warmth stirred in Adrian’s chest as he read her words, and a quiet smile spread across his face.
He made his way to the lounge in a hurry, slipped into the same suit and tie he had worn earlier that morning, grabbed his car keys, and marched out of the office without hesitation.
He had just turned the knob when Simon nearly collided with him at the doorway.
“Hey! Where are you running off to in the middle of the day?” Simon said, rubbing the tip of his nose.
Adrian kept walking and called back over his shoulder. There was a note of satisfaction in his tone as he said, “You told everyone I was home on leave, right? Then I should spend the rest of my day off with my wife p>
By the time Simon blinked in surprise, Adrian had already entered the private elevator. Simon stayed rooted to the spot, glaring at the doors as they slid shut. A groan escaped him. “Unbelievable. That man is too lucky p>