Mia Kane opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but for a moment, she couldn’t find the words.

She knew that if Adrian Preston hadn’t arrived in time, she would have been violated by someone else.

But if her violators had been the kidnappers, she could have righteously hated them for the rest of her life, wishing she could kill them, eat their flesh, and drink their blood.

But because it was Adrian, she couldn’t bring herself to hate him. If it hadn’t been him, it would have been someone else.

Yet, she didn’t even feel entitled to despise the criminal who had forced himself on her. This agony lingered, impossible to let go of, and she felt herself getting stuck in a pointless spiral of thoughts.

She couldn’t persuade him.

And he couldn’t persuade himself. They were at a stalemate, with no end in sight.

’Perhaps time will provide the best answer.’ 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

She continued walking with her head down, drove to the mall, bought a few things, and hurried to the Lynch family home.

She had assumed Adrian was following her the whole way. It was only when he also got out of his car, holding a gift he’d prepared in advance, that she realized he was also here to visit her grandmother.

Many people had come to her grandmother’s house—neighbors, old friends, and relatives.

On the surface, they offered compliments, wishing the old woman a speedy recovery, but their eyes held a hint of amusement. They were clearly there to gloat at her expense.

Gordon Lynch had used the excuse that his mother was unwell and that the doctor had ordered quiet rest, asking them not to visit.

But those people came anyway, carrying gifts and saying it didn’t matter if they couldn’t see Grandma; it was the thought that counted.

Gordon Lynch couldn’t very well kick them out. After all, they were guests, and their stated reason for coming was perfectly legitimate.

If he really threw them all out, who knew what sort of gossip would spread about the Lynch Family outside. That would be the real joke.

Adrian Preston, however, arrived with an expensive gift. Unlike those who came to spectate, he was humble and polite to Gordon Lynch, showing him ample respect and acting as a junior.

Given his status, he could have treated Gordon Lynch as an equal.

The guests had originally come to gloat, but seeing Adrian’s attitude, they no longer dared to mock the Lynch Family.

Seeing that Adrian had helped her vent her frustration, Mrs. Lynch, who had been gloomy, was now delighted. She quickly told the kitchen to get busy, wanting Adrian to stay for a meal.

"Mia, you should stay for lunch too."

"I can’t. I have something to take care of at the office. I need to get back."

"Then I’ll leave with Mia. We won’t impose any longer."

Adrian said politely.

The smile on Mrs. Lynch’s face faltered.

"You’re... leaving so soon? You won’t even stay for a meal?"

"Should we go?"

Adrian turned to look at her instead, waiting for her decision.

Since she was with Chase Lockwood, she also called them Uncle and Aunt, and they had always treated her well.

She could only bite the bullet and agree. "In that case, Aunt, we’ll leave after lunch."

"Excellent! I’ll go check on the kitchen."

Annoyed, Mia Kane shot Adrian a glare and stomped upstairs.

Although her grandmother hadn’t come downstairs, nothing that happened below escaped her notice.

"I suppose he has some conscience after all, willing to help me out of a tight spot."

"Grandpa still cares about you a lot."

"Hmph. Don’t think this means I can forgive him for his ridiculous behavior back then."

"Ridiculous behavior? What happened?"

Her grandmother thought for a moment. It was all ancient history; there was no harm in telling it.

"Back in the day, your grandfather was a notorious playboy, far wilder than Chase Lockwood. Who knows how many young girls fell victim to him."

"He was handsome, a smooth talker, and came from a good family. In Argent, he could practically do whatever he wanted."

"But he had one good point: he insisted on mutual consent. Once he was with someone, he would never fool around with other women."

"But after three months at most, he’d get tired of them, dump them, and move on to the next relationship."

"He remained indifferent, no matter how much his previous girlfriend cried her heart out."

"One girl even threatened to jump off a building for him, trying to force him to get back together with her by threatening suicide."

"But your grandfather told her to go jump off a rival company’s building, not one of his family’s, so it wouldn’t affect property values and the stock market."

"The girl was so furious she actually jumped right then and there. Luckily, someone caught her in time, so no one died."

"Grandpa was a real bastard back then. So, Grandma, how did you end up with him?"

"I didn’t know about any of his sordid history back then. I had come to Argent for university, and the internet wasn’t what it is today. I met him at a university mixer, and he started pursuing me."

"He was genuinely handsome back then, so my heart was swayed, and soon we were together. It was only after we started dating that I heard all the rumors about him, which made me furious."

"But women can be foolish. Every one of us hopes to be ’the one,’ the chosen woman who can make a prodigal son change his ways. We think we’re special. He dated me seriously for nearly six months, and we were incredibly compatible. I thought I was different, that he would settle down for me."

"I was about to graduate at the time and had thought about marrying him. He was considering it too. But just as we were about to get engaged, he ran away."

"What? Why?"

"He left me a letter. He said marriage was terrifying because he’d have to stay with just one woman forever. With dating, he could just end it and start a new relationship whenever he got bored. He felt the word ’marriage’ was too heavy."

"He ran away, turning me into a laughingstock. I searched for him for two years, and then he returned on his own, with another woman. He was going to marry her."

"That woman was Adrian Preston’s grandmother. No one knows what the two of them went through abroad. All we can say is that she was Donovan Preston’s true love, the one who made the prodigal son return. He not only cut off all contact with other women but also started managing the family business, all to give her a so-called ’sense of security’."

"I was young and furious back then. I went to find Donovan Preston. Without a word, I beat him to a pulp. I had never told him that my ancestors ran a martial arts school. I’d always held back, afraid he’d think I was crude. But there was no need to pretend anymore."

"He knew he was in the wrong. He said... he had almost married me back then, and it was a good thing it was only ’almost.’ He said I was a wonderful person, but not the right match for him, and he hoped I would find someone better."

"After that, I got together with Chase Lockwood’s maternal grandfather. The Preston Family also helped us out in secret, which is how the Lynch Family grew from a small, insignificant household into what it is today. Later on, my daughter even married into the Lockwood Family. But he and I still held a grudge over what happened back then, and things were always unpleasant between us."

"Grandma, with Grandpa helping you like this now... is he trying to start up a twilight romance with you?"

"Impossible. Donovan Preston isn’t that kind of person. He’s only ever loved Adrian’s grandmother in his life."

"And it’s impossible for me, too. My heart belongs to my late husband. We’re just old now and want to let go of our past grudges. There’s nothing more to it."

Mia Kane suddenly felt that her own perspective had been too narrow.

’What they have is a kind of unconventional friendship.’

’After all, they were once attracted to each other.’

"Mia, go to the walk-in closet and get what’s in the very back drawer."

"Okay, Grandma."

Mia Kane agreed and went into the walk-in closet.

Unexpectedly, Chase Lockwood arrived at that very moment.

"Grandma, are you feeling any better?"

When her grandmother saw him, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

"I’d be better if you weren’t here to piss me off."

"Grandma... I’m sorry. I know I’ve been unfilial. Vivian and I both lost our parents, so we cling to each other for warmth. I know what Vivian did this time was way out of line, but she’s my wife. I have to protect her!"

So, Chase Lockwood had come to speak up for Vivian Lynch.