CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 65: TALIA, LONG TIME NO SEE (NEW)

Talia helplessly stroked Adrian Jennings’ hair, soothing him like a child, her tone indulgent: "Alright, whether it’s making plans or going shopping, it’s more fun if we do it together. Besides, it’s Saturday today, don’t you give your assistant a day off?"

Adrian Jennings mumbled vaguely in agreement, continuing to kiss her.

If this keeps up, things will get out of hand. Talia hurriedly pushed Adrian Jennings away, "Stop, stop, I’ve almost finished making the plans. Let’s go out shopping."

Adrian Jennings looked up at Talia, with a pitiful expression.

Talia was momentarily stunned.

Could she have seen wrongly just now? How did she see a fleeting look of grievance in Adrian Jennings’ eyes?

She had only pushed him away a few times, how could he be feeling aggrieved.

She must have seen it wrong; someone like Adrian Jennings couldn’t be feeling pitiful.

Afternoon.

Talia and Adrian Jennings went to a store specializing in outdoor gear to buy hiking equipment, then went to the supermarket to buy some fruits and snacks.

Talia was in high spirits, wanting to buy a little of every fruit and snack she loved.

Adrian Jennings didn’t stop her. At worst, the backpack would be a bit heavier, and he would be a bit tired tomorrow. As long as Talia was happy, that was all that mattered.

Talia snapped a photo and sent it to the small group chat with Winter Donovan and Yvonne Coleman.

[Girls, there’s a meteor shower tomorrow night. Let’s go to Mount Volantis together to watch it, I’ve bought everything we need.]

Yvonne Coleman: [Wow! A meteor shower! I want to go, I want to go!]

Winter Donovan: [Sure.]

Yvonne Coleman: [I’ll have Ryan Quinn go with me to buy hiking gear later! I want to buy black, and then you guys can help me take a picture of that viral hiking pose! I also want to shoot a transformation video. Later, I’ll shoot the first part in pajamas, then I’ll pose and shoot another segment. I’ll edit it into a cool video!]

Talia: [No problem! Top-notch photographer here.]

Winter Donovan: [I’ll ask my brother if he’s going.]

Talia: [Tomorrow afternoon at one, let’s meet downstairs at my Brighton Court apartment.]

Winter Donovan: [Okay.]

Yvonne Coleman: [Got it.]

...

The next afternoon at one, Adrian Jennings knocked on Talia’s apartment door on time.

The door opened, revealing a fresh and alluring face without makeup. Talia smiled with her eyes curved, "Brother Adrian, you’re here."

Talia had already changed into light blue hiking gear, with a matching light blue backpack on her back.

Adrian Jennings was wearing a black stand-up collar jacket today.

Black suited his demeanor, making him appear colder and more aloof, his features more defined and sharp.

Naturally, the man took off Talia’s backpack and carried it in his hand, "Let’s go, they’re downstairs."

"Is everyone here?"

Adrian Jennings: "Andrew, Ryan, Winter, Yvonne, they’ve all arrived. Selina Hughes said she’d go ahead with some friends and meet us at the campsite."

Talia followed Adrian Jennings into the elevator, responding with an "Oh."

Downstairs, three cars were parked.

Winter Donovan and Andrew Donovan sat in the back of the Maybach. Winter Donovan sweetly smiled at Talia, "Talia."

Yvonne Coleman excitedly waved a fist from the passenger window of the black Bentley, shouting: "Everyone’s here, let’s go! Let’s watch the meteor shower together!"

Adrian Jennings was driving the black Cullinan today.

The car headed north, and after more than an hour, they arrived at the campsite.

The campsite was located on Mount Volantis, halfway up the mountain.

When Talia and the others arrived, Selina Hughes and the others had also arrived not long before.

Adrian Jennings had booked the place in advance; today, besides them, there was nobody else here.

As soon as the car stopped, Selina Hughes ran over with a smile, trying to hook Adrian Jennings’ arm.

Adrian Jennings nonchalantly sidestepped.

Selina Hughes paused and with a cheerful smile of pretended indifference said, "Brother, you’re here."

Adrian Jennings responded coldly, "Mm."

When Selina Hughes turned to Talia Rhodes, her smile faded, and she respectfully uttered, "Miss Rhodes."

Talia nodded slightly in response.

Behind Selina Hughes were two unfamiliar girls, whom Selina Hughes introduced: "These are my friends, Sylvia Kingsley and Ivy Yates."

"Oh, Ivy brought a new friend along. Let me introduce him to you all."

Saying this, Selina Hughes turned her head and called out, "Ethan, everyone’s here."

Ethan?

Talia’s heart tensed.

It couldn’t be...

As soon as she finished speaking, that unmistakably familiar face appeared before everyone.

Ethan Grant, dressed in a gray jacket, holding a hiking stick, walked over in a few strides.

Adrian Jennings furrowed his brow, looked at Selina Hughes with a gaze full of inquiry and reproach. His voice carried notable displeasure: "When did you get to know Ethan Grant?"

Selina Hughes blinked her bright eyes, showing confusion, a look as pure and innocent as a white lotus.

"Ethan is Ivy’s friend. Ivy asked if she could bring a friend, and I said sure. She brought him today, and that’s when I met him. Brother, is there a problem?"

Talia Rhodes had kept her lips sealed, pretending not to know Ethan Grant.

But Ethan Grant smiled meaningfully and greeted her, "Talia, long time no see."

Selina Hughes looked at Talia Rhodes in surprise, "Miss Rhodes, you know each other?"

Talia Rhodes: "Don’t know him."

Ethan Grant: "Do know."

They spoke simultaneously.

Selina Hughes exchanged a glance with Ivy Yates, and Ivy, catching on, asked in a coquettish voice, "Ethan, what’s your relationship with Miss Rhodes? I’ve never heard you mention you know her."

Ethan Grant smiled, gave Talia a meaningful glance, and uttered three simple words: "Ex-girlfriend."

"Ah!" The expression on Selina Hughes was one of exaggerated surprise as she looked at Talia Rhodes, "Miss Rhodes, you were Ethan’s ex-girlfriend? Sorry, I didn’t know there was this connection, otherwise I wouldn’t have invited him."

Talia understood.

Just as expected, if the last time at the riding club was a coincidence, what about this time?

Ivy Yates was displeased, seemingly jealous as she pouted and snorted at Ethan Grant: "Hmph, Ethan, are you using this hike as an excuse to date your ex-girlfriend?"

Ethan Grant just smiled without reply, which for those watching was tantamount to acquiescence.

The atmosphere suddenly became delicate.

Yvonne Coleman gently sidled up to Talia, lightly tugging at the corner of her clothes and whispered, "Is this truly your ex?"

Talia barely audibly acknowledged, "Mm."

Yvonne Coleman crossed her arms, quietly saying, "Tsk, this Selina Hughes must have done it on purpose."

Talia Rhodes coldly watched these few people act in front of her.

Claiming it’s a coincidence, she didn’t believe it.

The previous time at the Sterling Manor, during the party organized for her by her cousin Oscar Sterling, Ethan Grant caused quite a stir at the event. Although Selina Hughes hadn’t attended the party, as a foster daughter of The Jennings Family, it’s impossible she would be entirely unaware of such gossip in high society.

Selina Hughes had possibly invited Ethan Grant deliberately.

What was her intention in doing this?

While pondering, someone took her hand.