CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 57: A HUG MAKES IT HURT LESS

Ethan Grant’s words were like a spell, always echoing in Talia’s mind, leaving her feeling restless and agitated.

So, the next day when Talia went to the hospital to see Adrian Jennings, she appeared deeply troubled.

"Talia, what are you thinking about?" Adrian Jennings asked.

The girl fluttered her eyelashes and turned her face away, not looking at him, "Uh... what’s up with Jessica Coleman?"

Adrian Jennings smiled ambiguously, "Jealous?"

Talia tried her best to appear nonchalant, puffing up her cheeks, "Of course not, I never heard you mention her before, just asking."

Thinking of how that woman had kidnapped Jasmine Rhodes and even tried to stab her, Talia, besides being jealous, was also a bit infuriated, "Where did you attract such a crazy admirer?"

Adrian Jennings gestured for Talia to come over, "Talia, come here."

Talia obediently walked over and sat down by his bedside.

Adrian Jennings took her hand seriously, "She was a high school classmate of mine, she once pursued me passionately, and I clearly rejected her. Later, she went to the same university as me, continuing to pursue me, but I never gave her any hope."

Talia lowered her eyes, pouting, "That’s it?"

Adrian Jennings pinched her cheek, "That’s it, we barely talked, didn’t even add each other on socials."

Talia was silent for a moment before saying, "Then why did she hold on for so long? Ten years, it’s not ten days, nor ten months."

Adrian Jennings smiled helplessly, "How would I know? Everyone around me knows how indifferent I’ve been to her, haven’t exchanged more than a few words in ten years."

Talia moved closer and huffed, "How many is a few?"

Adrian Jennings chuckled, "About five, six, seven or eight sentences..."

"What were they about that you said so many?" Talia asked unreasonably.

Adrian Jennings found her jealousy utterly adorable, his eyes filled with an unbreakable fondness, and his lips curling into a smile, "Not much, just a couple of rejections during her early confessions in high school, barely talked after that."

"Did you really not feel anything for her?" Talia Rhodes was half dubious, "She’s quite pretty."

"No." Adrian Jennings gazed affectionately at Talia, "I’ve had someone in my heart for a long time, no room for anyone else."

Talia asked knowingly, "Someone else? Who’s the someone else?"

Adrian Jennings’ eyes were smiling, "What do you think?"

Talia mumbled vaguely, "You won’t say, so how would I know?"

The way she looked was just her being playful, utterly melting Adrian Jennings’ heart.

Adrian Jennings couldn’t resist.

His voice carried a smile, "There’s no one else but you."

Talia turned away, not looking at him, "When she confessed, it was high school, how old was I then?"

Could he have liked her even then?

Adrian Jennings: "I didn’t have any thoughts of dating in high school."

At this point, Talia suddenly became curious. She looked into Adrian Jennings’ eyes, blinking her pretty almond eyes, and asked him, "So, when did you start liking me?"

Adrian Jennings recalled, "Initially, I saw you as a sister. As for when those feelings changed, I can’t quite pinpoint."

Talia persistently asked, "No rough timeline?"

"If I had to say, it was probably when you were in high school. After Dylan Langley harassed you and I hit him, I slowly realized there was something different about my feelings for you."

Talia pressed her lips together, "You hid it really well."

Adrian Jennings ruffled Talia’s fluffy hair, "I had to wait for you to grow up."

At this point, a trace of sadness passed through his eyes, "As soon as you graduated from college, I approached your father to propose marriage, but you were unwilling and even ran away from home."

Talia guiltily averted her gaze, mumbling, "I... I thought at that time my dad was sacrificing me for the company’s benefit. How should I have known you had been planning it all along? You didn’t tell me, I was so wronged..."

Adrian Jennings suddenly acted pitiful, "Ouch, my wound hurts."

Talia panicked, immediately lowered to check his waist wound, "What’s wrong? Did you accidentally bump it? Let me call the nurse to check."

Adrian Jennings pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her head, his tone soft and gentle, "A hug will make it stop hurting."

Talia chuckled, "Alright, you’re teasing me."

"Not at all." Adrian Jennings gently stroked her smooth hair, "It really hurts, just behave and let me hold you for a while, then it won’t hurt."

Talia buried her head in Adrian Jennings’ embrace, feeling his breath.

...

Ethan Grant came back from a drinking session, walking into the hotel lobby, and was suddenly called out.

"Ethan Grant."

He turned towards the voice, seeing an unfamiliar young woman.

The woman was covered from head to toe in designer brands.

"And you are?" Ethan Grant’s eyes were filled with confusion as he walked over, asking her, "Do we know each other?"

The woman leaned against the sofa, slightly tilting her head to look at him, "Soon we will."

Ethan Grant sat down on the sofa opposite her, "Who are you?"

The woman smiled, "Selina Hughes, adopted daughter of The Jennings family."

"The Jennings family?" Ethan Grant frowned, "Adrian Jennings’ family?"

"Exactly." Selina Hughes smiled, "Care to consider collaborating with me?"

Ethan Grant was puzzled, "What kind of collaboration?"

Selina Hughes curled her lips, "To break up Adrian Jennings and Talia Rhodes."

Ethan Grant suspiciously looked at her, "Why should I trust you?"

"Ha." Selina Hughes chuckled softly, "Because I’m in love with Adrian Jennings. No one wants to break them up more than I do!"

Selina Hughes handed over a business card, "I know you’re looking for investment lately, contact this person. They will invest in your Grant Group."

"However..." Selina Hughes continued, "The precondition for getting this investment is to collaborate with me to break up Adrian Jennings and Talia Rhodes."

Ethan Grant glanced at the business card, "Even if you weren’t investing, I would do everything to break them up; Talia can only be mine!"

Selina Hughes curled her lips, "Then Mr. Grant, shall we collaborate happily?"

Ethan Grant pondered, "Let me verify your identity first and then I’ll get back to you."

"Alright." Selina Hughes revealed her WeChat QR code, "Add me so we can keep in touch."