Chapter 866: Chapter 272: Let’s Leave It Like This for Now
“I’m sorry, Kate, I can’t tell you what to do because it’s your decision, you understand? I can only say that you must make a choice, the choice you believe you should make, and then bear the consequences that co with it. You know, Ed’s feelings… are still strong, otherwise he wouldn’t have compromised in the face of Emma’s threat and taken the bla for this and let you go. You should know how important you are in his heart.
But even so, it won’t last forever, everyone’s patience is limited, not to ntion… you’ve already made a choice once, you know how he treated Natalie at the ti, right? And now there’s Lily, Ed definitely won’t allow his daughter to grow up outside, think about how he tricked Jessica at the ti. Also, you’ve seen how much he loves Lily, you have to consider all of this when making a choice, not just what it ans for yourself, but also what impact it will have on Lily, and how you’re going to resolve it.”
“So you don’t want children, is that it?”
“… Maybe.”
“… I hate him, Charli.”
“Yes, I hate him too; we all hate him. He always seems to offer you a choice, but then he uses all kinds of tactics to force you to choose the one that benefits him. But… love and hate are often just a thin line apart, so we all know, the more you love him, the more you hate him. Listen, Kate, I’m saying all this not to pressure you; I’m still of the sa opinion as before, this is your issue, you have to make a choice and then bear the consequences. So, you must consider everything thoroughly, don’t act impulsively, don’t asure with emotion, use your reason to analyze and think, got it?”
Rembering the last things Charlize said to her, Kate lying on the sofa, covered her forehead and sighed again, then reached out for the glass of red wine on the coffee table and took a big gulp.
“Feeling better now, Mom?” Lily’s head appeared above her, smiling, as if the earlier events hadn’t affected her mood.
Kate didn’t speak, she just quietly looked at her daughter’s innocent face, and after a long ti, she turned over and pulled her daughter into her arms: “I’m sorry, dear, I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for, is there?” Lily hugged her mother, sounding a bit puzzled.
“I took you away from your dad without saying anything, are you upset?” Kate cupped the little one’s face, looking at her seriously and asking.
“Of course not, there must be a reason for Mom to do that, even if she doesn’t want to tell ,” her daughter shrugged, then stuck out her tongue making a funny face, “but I’ll find out sooner or later, if not now, then for sure later.”
The playful look made Kate chuckle, and her mood seed to improve a little because of it. So after a mont of silence, she asked again: “Lily, do you love your dad?”
“Hmm… does Mom want to hear the truth or a lie?” Lily asked, turning her head after thinking for a few minutes.
“I want to hear both,” Kate laughed and patted her head.
“Okay, the lie is, I don’t love him at all, Dad is a bad guy, a big bad guy, who always likes to lecture and bully people, never cares about Mom, and may give a new aunt or sister at any ti.” The little one said seriously, as if these were her real thoughts, but Kate just smiled and said nothing, seeing that the pretending didn’t work, Lily had to clear her throat and continue.
“As for the truth, although Dad has many terrible points, and he rarely considers Mom’s feelings, always ssing around outside, but… I still think Dad is great, Aunt Charli, Aunt Sarah, Aunt Monica, Aunt Sophie, they’re all nice, so are Deva, Juliet, Mary. So… I don’t want Dad and Mom to fight,” Lily said seriously.
She didn’t say much, but seeing those bright eyes Kate knew that there were many things the little one didn’t say because she had to consider her mom’s feelings. So, Kate sighed and hugged her daughter tightly.
How could she not know her place in Ed’s heart? She was neither slow nor a fool, she just couldn’t accept Ed’s actions, after all… how could he go so far? However, with Little Emma’s demonstrative move today, she suddenly realized that perhaps she had misunderstood sothing, maybe things were not what she had imagined.
If it were an ordinary woman, she would probably first exonerate herself, trying to prove she was not at fault, that it was entirely the other’s fault. Shifting responsibility is a human instinct, as long as the other party indeed has issues, exaggerating them internally will naturally allow one to ignore their responsibility.
In fact, because of Little Emma’s demonstration, Kate had leaned towards that direction, but fortunately, Charlize ca over in ti. Among Adrian’s won, she had the best relationship with her, even better than Sarah in many ways, the reason was complex, but they were indeed quite close often, and Lily also liked Aunt Charli a lot.
In any case, Charlize’s tily appearance made Little Emma disappear from sight, allowing Kate to control her emotions; then, she comforted her and offered so solemn advice, helping her regain her senses. Yet, because of this, Kate found herself in another predicant, she really didn’t know what to do now.
Charlize was right. Even if it were just for Lily, she had to be prudent, not to ntion that over so many years, her relationship with Adrian had turned into a tangled ss, not sothing that could be let go of easily. Plus, the initial anger and excitent had passed, her thoughts were stirred up again by Little Emma’s demonstration—Kate was boiling with anger about this—leaving her only more puzzled now.
I hate you, Ed. Kate thought as she held her daughter.
While she was lost and directionless, Adrian was also having a headache over Little Emma’s self-willed actions.
“What should I say, Emma? You were supposed to go back to London for school, I agreed to let you stay a few more days, not to cause trouble!” Adrian said with a displeased look as he paced back and forth in the study, glaring at Little Emma.
“Trouble? Is that how you see ?” The young girl appeared aggrieved, “I was helping you, Ed.”
“Helping ?” Adrian raised an eyebrow, “Going to Kate and declaring that she lost and you won, she’ll never threaten you again, pushing a situation that still had a chance for resolution to an extre, is that how you help ?”
“It’s not that serious, I just expressed so of my views and then let her reflect on them.” Little Emma put on a hurt look, but she dared not make eye contact with him.
“Don’t think that just because I’m not there I wouldn’t know what you would say, Emma. You understand very well, but I also understand you,” Adrian walked to her, crouching to stare intensely at her, “so don’t play tricks on . I have to figure out how to nd the problem you caused, you’ll go back to London tomorrow, and you’re not allowed to co to the United States before the end of the year!”
“How can you do this!” Emma jumped up imdiately, showing an indignant look, “I did so many things for you, purposely acted as the big villain, and you know, in romantic codies, villains like end up really badly! Not only do you not reward , but you even reprimand , wanting to send away, that’s too much!”
She clenched her fists tightly, swinging them hard twice, seeming truly angry, but unfortunately, this wasn’t enough to threaten Adrian.
“That’s the way it is, logically and reasonably you should go back.” He said this and then left the room without looking back.
“Hateful!” Little Emma stomped her foot forcefully, appearing genuinely angry, but as soon as the door closed, she cald down quickly.
“I knew it would be like this.” The young girl folded her arms and muttered, pouting her lips and furrowing her brows, a completely different appearance from her just-angry look, changing so quickly it was surprising.
Then, she shrugged her shoulders again, let out a sowhat reluctant sigh: “It’s okay, I’ve said what needs to be said, I’m just this way, no one should expect to change, if…”
She suddenly fell silent, sat back down on the sofa, biting her lip, gazing into the distance, her expression shifting several tis, only after a long while did she sigh again.
“Are you all okay?” As Adrian ca out from Little Emma’s room, Sarah, who had been waiting outside, imdiately stepped forward.
“We’re fine, don’t underestimate Emma, the little devil causes as much trouble as Lily, but nothing major ever happens because she knows her limits.” Adrian shrugged, the previous annoyance gone, then he embraced Sarah, burying his face in her neck and taking a deep breath with an inexplicable scent: “Thank you, Sarah, thank you for staying with these past two days,”
“There are many people by your side.” Sarah just said that.
“But among the four of you, only you have stayed by my side without leaving,” Adrian pressed against her mouth, stopping her from speaking, “Don’t say that Charli, Innie have things to handle, I don’t want to hear it.”
Sarah gazed at him for a long ti, finally resting her head on his chest, giving him a strong hug. So things don’t need to be said too much.
“So should everything continue as it is, or should adjustnts be made?” After Adrian and Sarah arrived at the study room, and chatted a few words with the waiting Charlize and Ivanka, Ivanka, as the secretary, asked this.
“Of course adjustnts need to be made. With Emma ‘helping’ from the side, the series of asures decided earlier can’t be used anymore,” Adrian sighed, “Obviously, at least in the coming days, even if I want to et Kate, she won’t agree, so for now, it’s up to you to accompany her more. Of course, I hope it’s best to bring Lily back to stay for a few days.”
“Understood, I will make arrangents.” Ivanka shrugged indifferently.
“Does anyone have anything to add?” Adrian then asked, but he was looking at Charlize.
“Just one thing: it’s best if the news doesn’t spread too far.” Charlize added.
Adrian imdiately raised an eyebrow, understanding her aning. The matter of Kate leaving should be limited to the three of them and Little Emma and Yukie, with no need to explain the reason further.
“Should I say, your relationship is really good?” After Ivanka and Sarah left, Adrian called Charlize and asked with a smile.
“You indulge Emma and let clean up the ss afterward, all for this, right?” Charlize shrugged.
“Oh?” Adrian showed a surprised expression, not feigned.
“I must admit, Emma Watson is indeed a smart and clever girl, surprisingly mature, but after all, she is still a little girl. The reason you and Kate couldn’t handle her well is largely because you treat her as just a child. So once you get serious, she unknowingly falls into your trap, which is your usual thod.” Charlize spoke with a teasing look.
Faced with such an accusation, Adrian couldn’t help but smile embarrassedly. Well, he admitted, Little Emma declaring “sovereignty” to Kate was indeed a result of his indulgence. As said before, just as Little Emma understands him, he also understands her. So in this case, he could predict her actions and take advantage of them.
In the current situation, due to preconceived notions, no matter how Adrian explained, Kate wouldn’t listen. So when she questioned him that night, he took all the bla. Therefore, if he wants Kate to calm down and think carefully, the first step is to sufficiently shock her, and Little Emma is the best candidate for this task.
In the past, having trouble dealing with Little Emma was partly because she was mischievous, and because Adrian treated her as a child. But once their relationship changed, although still the sa, when he gets serious and plots a little, there is no problem at all. The facts prove it too, initially he was a bit complacent about finally winning over the little devil once, only to be seen through by Charlize, the woman who knows him best.
“Don’t worry, I only figured it out after coming back.” The forr secretary chuckled.
“I just want Kate back, with Lily,” Adrian showed a sincere expression.
When a person finds what she insists on is opposite to the fact, especially when it’s exposed by the person she wants to protect, the impact is understandably huge. At this ti, having a close friend, who has shared the sa bed with the sa man, comfort her a few words naturally will make her truly calm down. When reason returns and confidence is hit, she will easily beco weak and hesitant, leading to so…
“I know, I didn’t say anything,” Charlize brushed away her hair by her ear, “Actually, I’ve already instinctively cooperated with you, I… gave Kate a little hint…”
Adrian smiled slightly, then hugged Charlize from behind, kissed her on the back of her neck: “Without you, I really wouldn’t know what to do, Charli.”
Charlize snorted softly without turning around: “You should take note, if Kate cos back, her relationship with Emma might not be good. Do you know what that little girl said to Kate? Besides announcing her victory, she even asked Kate to be extra careful if she returns. I believe this must be her…”
“True thoughts, I know,” Adrian interrupted before she finished, “Indeed, letting her say it openly was better; otherwise, it wouldn’t truly provoke Kate. Unless absolutely necessary, I don’t want to lose her and Lily.”
As he spoke, his hands began to roam over her body, while gently rubbing against her cheek: “Thank goodness you are by my side, Charli, I really appreciate having t you ten years ago in the Big Apple.”
Charlize said nothing, just held his hand, closed her eyes, and felt his embrace. After a long ti, she softly said: “I don’t know if there will be another ti…”
“…Sorry, I can promise but can’t guarantee.” After a mont of silence, Adrian said.
“I knew it,” Charlize sighed, finally turning around, “A typical Ed-style answer.”
“If… if similar things happen again… would you leave ?” Even with Adrian’s thick skin, he still stamred a bit when asking this question.
“I don’t know,” Charlize shrugged, “But I think Ivanka would be very happy if I do.”
“Really?” Adrian raised his eyebrows in surprise, “I see you two are always the most excited during the 69 position.”
“Sarah and Innie are equally excited when they give you a blowjob together,” Charlize replied without blinking.
Adrian laughed loudly, squeezing her tighter at the waist: “Don’t you want a child?”
After a brief silence, Charlize spoke in a relaxed tone: “As I said before, if it’s a boy, he might beco soone like you, if it’s a girl, she might et soone like you. Besides, given your current hit rate, it’s almost certainly a girl, which would be too terrible.”
Nevertheless, a hint of pleading flashed in her eyes, even though it was brief, Adrian caught and interpreted it: Don’t control in this way.
Yes, it’s pleading, aning if Adrian insists, Charlize wouldn’t refuse, but she wouldn’t be willing internally because… it helps her feel a bit independent.
“Alright.” Adrian whispered, understanding her plea, then lowered his head to kiss those lips he never gets tired of, passionately entwining with Charlize.
“I love you, Charli, just like Kate.” He said at last.
The matter was temporarily put aside despite Lily returning to her father two days later, but Kate still hadn’t t Adrian, even though they talked by phone, it mostly ended with a hang-up after just a few words. Clearly, resolving it completely will take so ti, but Adrian isn’t in a hurry; Lily’s return indicates that things are moving in the direction he imagined, and maybe things will restore to their previous state before he goes to Europe. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for recomndations and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian). Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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