CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64: INVITING HER TO BATHE TOGETHER

Juliana Jacobs thought he was Aidan Linton.

With just a single sentence, "She’s at the end of her rope," he didn’t hesitate to agree to meet.

This almost instinctual sense of urgency was something she was all too familiar with.

Even though she proposed a meeting location that defied common sense, he had no objections.

Summer Shaw asked after Juliana hung up the phone, "Are you looking for evidence that he’s Aidan Linton?"

Juliana nodded.

Summer said, "A big family like the Langley Family would never mistake their own blood. Adrian Langley must be Victor Langley’s son. But it’s good for you to connect with the Langley Family; their background is strong. If it weren’t for their internal strife these past few years, they might not have lost to Evan Grant."

Juliana had never told Summer about the Linton Family; the less she knew, the safer she would be.

The next day, Juliana drove alone to Golden Ripple Springs.

After booking a room, it wasn’t long before Adrian Langley called.

Juliana went to the location he had given her.

This area of VIP suites had a small hot spring in each room, and the lavish decor was several times more expensive than the regular rooms she stayed in.

Juliana found the room number, entered the code, and the door opened.

At the end of the living room, there was a bay connected to a hot spring, and to her surprise, he was already soaking in it.

She had thought she would have to go through some effort to see him in swim trunks.

Adrian Langley heard footsteps stop nearby but didn’t move. He slowly opened his eyes, turning to find her standing there in casual clothes, staring at his back in a daze.

"Mrs. Grant, meeting at a hot spring hotel isn’t for soaking in hot springs, is it?"

His words had an oily undertone, and Juliana was certain that Aidan Linton from four years ago couldn’t have said such a thing.

"Please call me Miss Jacobs. Sorry, I didn’t expect you’d arrive first."

Adrian turned around. Though not muscular, his skin was smooth, and droplets of water trailed down his skin, glistening in the steamy air.

Juliana had seen Aidan shirtless before. To help his family, he had worked as a porter at the station.

In the height of summer, drenched in sweat, Juliana handed him a towel. He shyly turned his back to her as he wiped, asking how she knew he was working there.

But Adrian Langley looked at her confidently and even invited her to bathe with him.

"Are you planning to talk to me dressed like this in the hot spring?" Adrian asked.

"I’ll go back to change into a swimsuit."

Adrian pointed to the travel bag on a chair and said, "No need, I prepared one for you."

Uncertain about the style he’d chosen, Juliana didn’t move forward.

"Thanks, but I’d rather wear my own; it fits better."

Having said that, she turned and left.

"Miss Jacobs..."

Behind her came the sound of water, and Juliana turned to see Adrian had already stood up from the hot spring.

And he had wrapped a towel around his waist.

In her life, Juliana had only seen Evan Grant wrap a towel around himself as he approached her.

Regardless of whether the man before her was Aidan, she was a bit frightened, and what started as a fast walk turned into a run.

But Adrian’s speed was faster. As she neared the door, he pushed her against it with a jolt.

A loud thud echoed down the hallway...

In the president’s office of Blackstar Technologies, the secretary rushed in.

"President Langley, the Third Young Master didn’t come to the company today."

Jared Langley looked at her in silence.

The secretary, in high heels, walked over and leaned down to whisper in his ear, "Half an hour ago, he and Miss Jacobs entered Golden Ripple Springs one after the other."

Jared’s eyes turned cold, "They’ve only met twice, and now they’re soaking in the hot spring together?"

The secretary mused, "I’m worried the Third Young Master plans to win over Miss Jacobs to use her against Evan Grant. If successful, it would change his standing in Chairman Langley’s eyes."

Jared’s dark eyes deepened, "It’s not good for the Third Brother to seduce a married woman; he can’t ruin the Langley family’s reputation. Inform Evan Grant indirectly, but don’t let him find out the tip came from me."

...

Golden Ripple Springs.

Juliana’s left cheek hit the door, causing a bit of pain.

The next second, she angrily turned to glare at the man who had pressed against her from behind.

"What does Vice President Langley mean by this?"

Adrian smiled lightly, "We’ve hardly met a few times and you’re already inviting me to such a place? Miss Jacobs, the hint is so obvious, and I just happen to be willing...ah!"

He hadn’t finished speaking when a sharp pain suddenly exploded from his waist.

It felt as if countless needles shot up to his spine, instantly draining all his energy.

His knees buckled, and he went down.

After regaining his vision, he noticed Juliana now held a stun baton.

He should have been angry, but instead, he chuckled lowly, "So fierce, no wonder Evan Grant had an affair."

Juliana was truly angry, "I sincerely wanted to be friends with Vice President Langley, but I didn’t expect you to be like this. Since that’s the case, we have no reason to talk. Goodbye!"

With that, she moved to leave.

"Friends or ulterior motives? Miss Jacobs tends to mirror those she spends time with."

Juliana paused, "So, Vice President Langley is deliberately humiliating me, forcing me out? What secret are you hiding, afraid I’ll uncover?"

"I am the Langley Family’s third son, confirmed by NDA; what could you possibly uncover?"

The first time they met, she began to doubt him, so during their second meeting, he offered his business card to clarify his identity, yet she remained skeptical.

She was too smart, difficult to deceive.

Adrian recovered from the shock and stood up.

The next second, the towel around his waist slipped off.

Juliana, shocked, turned away, but curiosity tugged at her, wondering if she could glimpse the birthmark on his butt.

Her eyes wandered briefly, then fixed on his lower half.

But as her gaze landed, she was stunned.

A dark blue, knee-length swim trunk hugged his hips and thighs securely, even embroidered with the Langley Group’s logo on the side.

The imposing Langley Family’s third son, wearing a company-branded promotional gift to a hot spring?

"Have you seen enough?" Adrian calmly picked up the towel and wrapped it around his swim trunks again, "Does your old acquaintance have a better physique than mine?"

With no chance to see the birthmark, Juliana’s emotions were turbulent, unable to speak.

Adrian moved to the table, sat down unhurriedly, and said plainly, "Miss Jacobs, I sympathize with you for meeting the wrong person in four years of marriage, which is why I agreed to meet."

Juliana walked over and sat opposite him.

"I had a friend, as penny-pinching as you. Back when his family was struggling, he took up delivery jobs and would bring home freebies like aprons and arm sleeves. I haven’t seen him in many years, and I wonder if he’s still like that."

Adrian paused while handling the documents.

After a few seconds, he chuckled.

"I was in a hurry today and didn’t have time to buy swim trunks, so I grabbed a pair from the company."

But Juliana seemed not to hear his explanation, continuing, "My grandfather developed severe heart disease from his passing, and was critical several times, almost not making it. Though a medicine now maintains his heart’s function, the loss of his grandson will always be a hurdle he can’t overcome in this life."

Juliana closely watched Adrian’s face, seeking any slight change in expression to expose his identity.

However, after a two-second pause, Adrian replied, "Was your acquaintance also in law?"

Juliana shook her head.

Adrian took out a document.

"I’ve checked; no law firm in Kenton is willing to take your divorce case. My license is under the Langley Group’s law firm, and I’m not afraid of him. If it would assuage your suspicions about my identity, I’m willing to be your lawyer and even fight for more compensation."

He opened the document, presenting a drafted divorce agreement.

"Take a look; it’s a framework and can be amended according to your wishes."

Juliana was about to speak when the doorbell rang.

Both of them paused.

Adrian, unfazed, got up to open the door.

Outside, Evan Grant was about to press the bell for a second time. When their eyes met, the air suddenly froze.