Chapter 226

Sophia Roscente and Anna Ross looked up at him simultaneously, their eyes wide with surprise.

Anna immediately stood up to pour water for everyone, feeling a quiet relief that the crisis had been averted.

Cecilia Roscente pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Adrian makes a good point." She turned to her daughter, her tone softening. "I'll let it go this time."

"You're the best, Mom!" Sophia threw herself into her mother's arms, grinning like a cat that got the cream.

Cecilia shook her head helplessly and tapped her daughter's forehead. "You must tell me everything immediately from now on. No more secrets."

Sophia nodded repeatedly, promising obediently, "I know I was wrong, Mom. I'll tell you everything from now on."

"Oh, and Mom, let me tell you about..." She leaned against her mother's shoulder and began sharing amusing stories from her life abroad.

Mother and daughter chatted animatedly. Anna silently finished her water, feeling increasingly restless. Just as she was about to pull out her phone, the person beside her leaned closer.

Warm breath brushed past her ear. "If you're bored, take a walk with me."

She looked up and met his deep, unreadable eyes. They were calm and gave nothing away.

She hadn't expected him to initiate conversation, especially since he'd been angry earlier.

Before she could respond, he stood up and walked away. Anna glanced at the engrossed mother and daughter and sighed softly.

She was indeed superfluous here. Some fresh air might do her good.

They walked out of the living room one after the other. The conversation on the sofa paused. Sophia took a bite of her apple and winked playfully. "Aren't you curious about who she is, Mom?"

Cecilia watched their retreating figures and took an elegant sip of tea. "She's very beautiful. Good demeanor too. I quite like her."

"Her relationship with my cousin is... special." Sophia gazed in the direction they had disappeared, a mysterious smile playing on her lips.

Oblivious to this conversation, Anna followed Adrian Sinclair through the hallway into the garden. He stopped before a cluster of roses, quietly admiring them.

Anna stood silently nearby. Remembering how he had deftly defused the situation earlier, she couldn't help but ask, "Sophia's mother seems to trust you implicitly. She didn't doubt your words at all."

Adrian turned and looked down, his voice low. "She and my mother were like sisters. They started the law firm together. It was their shared dream."

He gazed into the distance, his eyes dimming slightly. "After my mother passed, she was deeply affected. But family bonds don't change. So she believes me."

"Besides," he added casually, "I never lie."

Anna: . . . . . .

Then what were all those lies just now?