Chapter 172: Don’t tell me ... you think I stole chickens from your farm?

Karl’s eyes widened at that possibility.

He stared at Jasper —unable to believe it. Yet at the same time, he couldn’t completely deny it either.

After all, what Jasper said wasn’t entirely wrong.

He was Dylan Warren.

No one could trick him —unless he himself allowed it.

... which meant his brother had known all along what Jasper was trying to do by getting him to sign that investment contract.

And still —he signed it.

Without hesitation.

Jasper watched him quietly. He could practically read every thought passing through his foolish brother’s mind, and it took everything in him not to laugh out loud.

For a moment, he even considered clearing up the misunderstanding.

But then he remembered just how irritating Karl had been—

And suddenly, letting him stew in it felt far more satisfying.

Giving him one last light pat on the shoulder, Jasper pressed his lips together, then turned and walked away.

Karl stood there, lips parting and closing, unsure of what to say.

Only after Jasper disappeared did he shake his head, refusing to accept it.

"No ... Big Brother isn’t that kind of man," he muttered to himself. "He wouldn’t betray Sister-in-law. If that were the case, why would he have kept his record with women so clean all these years?"

He nodded to himself, trying to piece together an explanation that made sense.

"Yes ... he signed that investment contract knowingly —because he knows no woman except Sister-in-law is strong enough to shake his resolve."

He nodded again, reinforcing the belief within himself.

"He signed it because he’s a businessman —someone who never misses a profitable opportunity."

That ... finally sounded reasonable.

But the moment he thought about what was at stake —Adelyn and his brother’s relationship —all because of a single signature—

He couldn’t relax at all.

He trusted his brother ...

But what if his sister-in-law didn’t?

What would he do then?

His expression grew increasingly anxious.

He had finally gained a sister-in-law —a savior —someone capable of protecting him.

There was no way he could afford to lose her.

"No, sister-in-law is way too valuable. I can’t lose her."

—————

Meanwhile—

On the other side, Adelyn finally returned to her apartment.

The moment she stepped inside—

She froze.

Her gaze sharpened instantly as it swept across the room with quiet vigilance. Though subtle, even her stance shifted —every muscle alert.

The house was completely dark.

So dark that even the outlines of the furniture blurred into the shadows.

Yet—

She could feel it.

A presence.

Unannounced.

Uninvited.

Someone was there.

Her steps turned measured and silent as she moved further inside. Each movement deliberate, each breath controlled.

And then—

A figure.

A dark outline of a man.

Adelyn didn’t hesitate.

She didn’t question.

She moved first.

In a flash, she lunged forward —swift and precise, her movements cutting through the darkness like a blade ...

Her strike came sharp, aimed clean—

But it was blocked.

The man reacted just as quickly.

A shift of weight. A turn of the wrist.

Her second move followed instantly —low, fast —

Intercepted again.

For a moment, the room filled with nothing but the muted thuds of impact —controlled, calculated.

Fists met resistance.

Kicks were redirected.

Each move —matched.

Each step —anticipated.

Adelyn’s focus sharpened further.

At first, every instinct screamed caution —every possibility of danger ran through her mind.

But as seconds passed ...

And as every strike met with an almost familiar rhythm—

Something shifted.

The way he moved.

The way he blocked. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

The precision—

It felt ... known.

And soon, the recognition flickered in Adelyn’s sharp eyes —softening them slowly.

Her attacks didn’t stop—

But the intent behind them changed.

She adjusted her position, subtly shifting toward the wall.

One step.

Then another.

Slowly, getting closer to the switch.

The man pressed forward —matching her again—

But that gave her the opening she needed.

In one swift motion, she pivoted—

Reached—

And flipped the switch.

Light flooded the room the very instant. And the intruder was revealed.

"Nigel Smith," Adelyn said coldly, not missing a beat, "just how badly are you craving to get beaten?"

Before he could respond—

She moved again.

A sharp twist of his wrist—

A calculated shift of her weight—

And in the next second, she had him pinned.

His back hit the sofa.

Her arm locked across his neck, restricting movement. And her knee pressed firmly against his abdomen, keeping him down without giving him a chance to retaliate.

Complete control.

Effortless.

Unyielding.

Nigel stared at her, and in that moment, something shifted in his gaze because of the proximity between them.

He didn’t blink.

Adelyn noticed —and pushed her arm further against his throat, almost making him choke.

"What? Cat got your tongue?"

That was enough to snap Nigel out of whatever daze he had fallen into.

He tried to push her off, trying to regain control—

But her hold was unbreakable, restricting his even the slightest movement.

Nigel struggled, putting in all his strength.

Adelyn didn’t budge.

"Don’t waste your energy," she said when his breathing grew heavier. "You know very well that as long as I don’t allow it, you won’t be able to break free."

Nigel frowned at her.

"You’re too smug," he said through gritted teeth. "Do you really think I can’t defeat you?"

Adelyn clicked her tongue lightly.

"You can," she said calmly, "but I won’t let you."

He tried again.

But once more—

She held him down without effort.

In the end, giving up, Nigel asked through clenched teeth,

"Adelyn Grace ... what will it take for you to let me go?"

Adelyn simply smiled at him, meeting his eyes.

"Just an answer," she said easily.

Nigel’s brows furrowed.

"Why did you enter my place like that?" she continued, "And why did you attack me?"

Nigel pursed his lips, staring at her in disbelief—

Almost aggrieved.

Adelyn blinked at his expression, pursing her lips at him.

"What?" she asked flatly.

Then, with a faint, mocking tilt of her brow, she added—

"Don’t tell me ... you think I stole chickens from your farm?"