Chapter 261

Chapter 261

Adeline had made it clear that Dr. Brice had done it on purpose.

Just as she was about to respond, a shadow fell over her. Looking up, she found herself face-to-face with Nance. The woman held a charcoal-grey purse in her hand, poised to speak.

Adeline quickly stood up, startling Nance, who teetered backwards, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Dr. Brice hadn’t expected his mother to approach so directly- thankfully, it wasn’t peak hours at the restaurant, and there were no other customers. It was due to the lack of morning crowd that he and Adeline hadn’t opted for a private dining room.

Dr. Brice stood up, ready to introduce Nance, but Adeline beat him to it, extending her hand to greet Nance, “Nance, it’s a pleasure. I’m Adeline. I didn’t realize you were sitting behind us, I thought I’d mistaken you for someone else. Dr. Brice and I were just discussing you- he mentioned your elegance and extensive knowledge.”

“Oh?” Nance shifted her gaze to her son.

Dr. Brice felt a moment of panic – he should have expected Adeline’s ire regarding the Elliot situation.

“Mother, what brings you here?” Dr. Brice asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Nance was a skilled conversationalist. She smiled at Dr. Brice, “I had arranged a shopping trip with a friend, but she isn’t here yet. I thought I’d rest for a while and as luck would have it, found you and Ms. Sanches here.”

“My lady, you know who I am? I’m honored!” Though saying this, Adeline’s expression seemed insincere.

Nance had expected Adeline to ask about her friend, but the young woman was unpredictable. Nance, however, maintained her smile, “Ms. Sanches, your beauty is unforgettable.”

“My lady.” Elliot stood up and extended his hands to her.

Nance had noticed Elliot earlier and wasn’t about to ignore the young heir of the Sanches Group. She greeted politely and remarked, “I didn’t realize,you knew my son…”

Before she could finish, Elliot chuckled and waved it off, “My lady, you misunderstand. Dr. Brice and I have just mét. If it weren’t for a mutual friend setting up Adeline and Dr. Brice, I may not have had the chance to meet him.”

Nance’s smile faded slightly at his words.

She hadn’t expected a casual date to become so complex. Everyone knew that the Brice family, a high-ranking bureaucratic one, held steadfast to the concept of matching social status. Nance would undoubtedly prefer a cultured lady, not a woman of ill reputation like Adeline.

To avoid further complications, Adeline said with a smile, “Don’t listen to his nonsense. Dr. Brice and I are just friends.”

Adeline turned to Dr. Brice, “We’re friends, right?”

Dr. Brice shot back, “Are we?”

From the look in Dr. Brice’s eyes, Adeline sensed his desperation. She recalled that before her blind date with Elliot, Mr. Hernandez had mentioned Dr. Brice’s participation was to avoid Nance’s arranged blind date with Mr. Gary’s daughter.

Adeline remembered, Yulia, was her name? Judging by Nance’s demeanor, she seemed pleased with Yulia.

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Based on their conversation, Adeline thought Dr. Brice to be a decent person. It was clear that Nance had decided to confront her to hint at stepping back.”

She slapped Dr. Brice’s shoulder, laughing, “We may be friends now, but who knows what the future holds!”

Upon seeing Nance’s expression change, Adeline turned to Dr. Brice nonchalantly, “Love is a match made in heaven when mutual. Forced relationships are no good. It’s best when feelings naturally develop and both parties are willing. Nowadays, free love is encouraged. As parents, wouldn’t you want your children to be happy in their marriages, rather than forcefully pairing them off?”

“Don’t you agree, Nance?” Adeline turned to face Nance, flashing a bright smile, her teeth gleaming white against her brilliant orange-red lipstick, making her skin look more delicate.

Her beauty shone like a bright light, it’s no wonder people said it was beyond description. Even the experienced Nance had to admit Adeline’s beauty.

Yet, Adeline’s words were clearly a veiled hint at Nance’s interference in her son’s love life – no doubt referring to Nance’s insistence on arranging a date between her son and Yulia!

From the moment Adeline began speaking, Nance knew this young woman was not to be trifled with. If she were to contend with Adeline, she would undoubtedly lose.

So, Nance turned to Elliot, “Ms. Sanches is articulate and persuasive, a testament to your parents’ upbringing. She makes a good point.”

Nance’s words were clearly a dig at Adeline, but surprisingly, Elliot responded, “That might not be entirely due to my parents’ efforts. My sister’s always been bright, and she has a deep understanding of these truths.”

Elliot’s use of the word ‘truths’ to describe Adeline’s words infuriated Nance. The Sanches family was adept at educating their children, leaving her at a loss for words.

Adeline had never expected Elliot to support her so strongly. Upon reflection, she realized her earlier statement implied that only mutual feelings could constitute true love, unilateral love was simply coercion. Her one-sided love for Elliot was essentially forcing him, explaining why he agreed with her.

Adeline steered the conversation, expressing relief, “I am fortunate that my parents don’t meddle in my love life. But you, Mr. Brice, must feel lucky to have such an understanding mother, right?”

Elliot gave Brice a knowing wink.

Forced to admit, Adeline’s method of criticism and consolation left Brice at a loss.

Nance, peeved, glanced at her wristwatch and announced, “Yulia should be arriving soon. I need to leave.”

“Why are you still standing there, Mr. Brice? Go and accompany your mother!” Adeline gently nudged Brice.

Nance huffed out, leaving Brice who looked at Elliot, knowing he shouldn’t stay either. Smiling, he waved at Adeline, “I must take my leave now. See you later.”

Adeline waved back at Dr. Brice.

Elliot, who had remained seated, his expression cool and aloof, as if trying to discern’something from Adeline’s face.

Adeline picked up her pumpkin-colored trench coat, draped it over her shoulders and reached for her purse. But Elliot grabbed it first.

Adeline eyed Elliot for two seconds before releasing her grip on her purse and walking away.

Elliot picked up the purse, casually following Adeline.

A white Maserati was parked by the restaurant’s entrance. Adeline had no keys, so she just glanced at it and rummaged through her trench coat pocket.

Elliot retrieved the car keys from her bag and unlocked the car. The headlights blinked twice as Elliot gestured towards the car, “Get in.”

Elliot assumed Adeline would comply, but she turned and boarded a city bus instead. All he could do was watch her through the bus window as she pulled out a bus pass and settled into a window seat.

Defeated by Adeline, Elliot got into the Maserati, sliding the key into the ignition and began trailing the bus.

He had learned from Dylan yesterday that Adeline had a date today. Although he was reluctant to admit it, the truth was their sibling relationship had changed since they found out there were no blood ties between them, and ever since Adeline confessed her feelings for him.

Elliot had been selectively deceiving himself, telling himself that Adeline was just his sister. But deep down, he was certain he would never reciprocate Adeline’s feelings. Numerous times, he reminded himself that Adeline was his sister, both in name and in essence.

So, he had no intention of coming today, telling himself he shouldn’t. But the reason he gave himself for coming to sabotage Adeline’s date was also his excuse for self-consolation.

He convinced himself that as Adeline’s “brother”, looking out for his “sister’s” happiness was natural, and scrutinizing her potential boyfriend was justified.

Therefore…

Elliot felt like he was losing his sanity, so he floored the gas pedal.

Dr. Brice was about to accompany Nance, but by the time he stepped outside, Nance was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he saw Elliot chasing after the bus, even driving Adeline’s car to catch up with her.

He smiled to himself.

Regardless of how Elliot deceived himself, he knew clearly that Elliot being here today indicated the significant role Adeline played in his heart.

He pulled out his cell phone, preparing to return a call to Julie as he headed towards the garage. Suddenly, a figure darted in front, knocking his phone to the ground…