Chapter 112: Chapter 112: A Deadly Question: Who Is More Handsome, Me or Adrian Preston?

Mia Kane felt utterly mortified when she saw the text.

She hadn’t been forced; she had been a willing participant later on. She couldn’t blame Adrian Preston.

She hesitated for a moment before typing out a reply.

"I’m just busy with the studio, that’s all. You don’t have to stay at the office. Come home tonight."

"Okay. Then let’s have dinner together tonight."

Mia’s temples throbbed. ’It’s not that she wanted to have dinner with him...’

But if she refused, Adrian would definitely think last night had created a rift between them.

So she had no choice but to brace herself and agree.

"I’ll pick you up at six tonight."

"I might be busy tonight. I’m not sure when I’ll get off work."

"That’s fine. I’ll wait for you."

Since he’d put it that way, there was nothing more Mia could say.

The studio had gotten noticeably busier lately. Between Vivian Lynch’s public apology and Mia’s reputation as an international designer, the once-obscure studio had suddenly become well-known.

Many of Lynch’s clients switched over. Some of them would rather let their previous payments go to waste than have Mia design their clothes, thinking she was a manipulative schemer who had deliberately set a trap for Vivian Lynch.

But others liked her personality and admired her talent, judging the work and not the drama.

Mia didn’t care what those people thought of her. All that mattered was that she had a clear conscience.

She hadn’t gone around broadcasting what happened; Vivian Lynch had tried to harm her first. If she hadn’t come at me with such malicious intent, I would have been powerless to do anything.

But she couldn’t be bothered to waste her breath on it. Why get distracted over people who didn’t matter?

In any case, business at the studio was visibly booming, and Owen Sinclair had hired several new designers.

As for the ones Vivian Lynch had poached, it wouldn’t be so easy for them to come back now.

Rosalyn Shield was also promoted and given a share of the profits.

Everyone was busy, and life felt much more fulfilling than before.

Mia hadn’t slept well last night, so she was sluggish all day, surviving on coffee.

When Owen Sinclair came to discuss something with her, she was completely dazed.

"Never mind, let’s not talk about it. You’re not even listening."

"I barely slept a wink last night. I’m mentally exhausted."

"Then why aren’t you at home getting some rest?"

"I have a few things to take care of," she said evasively.

"You have to treat me to dinner tonight. I landed several big clients for you. I’m supposed to be a designer, but now I’m practically a business negotiator."

Owen Sinclair had only said it casually, but Mia’s eyes lit up. "Okay! I’ll treat you to dinner. I’ll just cancel on Adrian. You’re more important, anyway."

She picked up her phone to call Adrian, but Owen Sinclair stopped her.

"Perfect. I haven’t seen Adrian in a while either. The three of us can have dinner and catch up."

"Oh... Okay, that works too."

’As long as I don’t have to be alone with Adrian,’ she thought.

When night fell, Adrian was already waiting downstairs. She and Owen Sinclair went down together.

"We’re all having dinner together. Owen has helped me so much and he’s exhausted, so this is a little something to thank him."

Adrian furrowed his brows slightly, his gaze profound.

Owen smiled. "Sorry to intrude on your private time. You don’t mind, do you? It’s just that we brothers haven’t seen each other in a long time and need to catch up."

"It’s your call."

Adrian didn’t say anything more, and the three of them went to the restaurant together.

With Owen there, she felt much more at ease. Still, she could feel Adrian’s gaze on her, faint but persistent, carrying an intriguing weight.

’As long as I don’t look at him, I can pretend nothing ever happened.’

The food arrived quickly, and she focused on eating, turning into a relentless eating machine.

Just then, Owen Sinclair called out to her.

"Mia, there’s a question I’ve been wanting to ask you for a long time."

"Go ahead, Owen."

"Who do you think is better looking, me or Adrian?"

"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..."

A mouthful of food got stuck in Mia’s throat, and she coughed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes.

’What kind of no-win question is this?’

"Slow down. No one’s going to steal your food."

Adrian patted her back to help her catch her breath.

It took her a good moment to recover. She quickly said, "You’re both handsome! Each in your own way!"

’There’s no way I’m offending either of them.’

Owen Sinclair’s smile deepened. He rested his chin in his hand and pressed on.

"Okay, but out of the two handsome guys, pick the better-looking one."

"Owen... this question is so superficial..."

"Go on, tell us. I want to know too."

Adrian spoke up as well, his voice a deep, mellow, and powerful baritone that was incredibly pleasant to the ear.

He looked at her calmly, as if to say, ’Even if you think Owen is better looking, I won’t be angry.’

Meanwhile, Owen was a total smiling tiger, as if to say, ’I won’t be mad if you don’t pick me, so just say what you really think.’

Mia wished she could just disappear on the spot.

’What on earth is this no-win question?’

’They’re all acting so magnanimous, but if I actually say something to bruise one of their egos, who knows how petty the other one will be.’

She glanced at Adrian, then at Owen.

"Of course it’s... Owen..." she said tentatively. As expected, Adrian’s face fell, his displeasure obvious.

’Damn it, I knew it.’

She quickly changed her tune. "How could that be? In my heart, Adrian is definitely the most handsome!"

Adrian’s brow smoothed, and he raised an eyebrow at Owen Sinclair.

He had the smug look of someone who had just won a petty victory.

Owen’s laugh was even heartier, and he clearly didn’t take it to heart.

"Adrian really is a bit more handsome. Even as a man, I can’t argue with that."

"Let’s eat, let’s eat..."

All Mia wanted now was to finish this meal as quickly as possible.

"So, Mia... I have another question."

Mia: "..."

"Between me and Adrian, who has a better temper?"

Mia: "My stomach hurts... I need to use the restroom."

Mia just wanted to escape, but Adrian caught her by the wrist.

Her heart skipped a beat. ’Does he know I’m trying to run away? Is he not going to let me leave?’

Adrian looked at Owen. "I admit, my temper is much worse than yours." Then he turned to Mia. "Now sit down and eat."

Adrian was afraid that if she left, she’d just hide in the restroom.

She was clearly hungry and had already taken several bites. He couldn’t let her go hungry because of these ridiculous questions.

Owen Sinclair was a little surprised. He hadn’t expected Adrian to proactively help Mia out of the jam.

’It seems I was overthinking things,’ he thought.

He’d thought they might be unhappy together, but now he could see... Adrian cherished Mia, and Mia was very considerate of Adrian’s feelings.

They were clearly looking out for one another.

"Alright, no more silly questions. Let’s eat."

Mia ate the rest of the meal on pins and needles, finally making it to the end.

"I’m heading out then. You two drive safe."

After Owen left, Mia wanted to leave too.

"Um, I just remembered I have something urgent to take care of at the studio. I should go handle it."

She was about to leave when Adrian grabbed her hand and pulled her straight into his arms.

"Did that night make you this uncomfortable? We just won’t do it again. Just don’t avoid me."

Hearing this, Mia’s cheeks flushed crimson.

’It was a little uncomfortable, but more than that... she was afraid of getting in too deep.’