...

A hint of confusion flickered in Simon Adler’s eyes. His expression hadn’t changed at all, so how could she tell he was lying?

’Does this girl have a Mind Reading Technique or something?’

’No, no.’

’After getting to know her a bit, she’s as cunning as a little fox.’

’She’s probably just trying to bluff me.’

As if she had read his mind again, Mia Grant chuckled and took a step back, putting some distance between them.

"If you don’t tell the truth, it’s not just that I won’t go with you."

Mia Grant had gotten her nails done for the engagement party. The long, delicate pink nails drew a playful and cute arc in the air as she pointed at him.

"You too."

Simon Adler’s brow relaxed slightly. He had no idea what little trick she was about to pull.

The next second, he heard her issue a completely non-lethal threat in the softest voice imaginable: "You won’t be leaving today either."

"Tch." Almost instinctively, Simon Adler lifted the hand that was in his pocket. He pressed his thumb against his cheekbone, his palm concealing the sardonic curve of his lips.

However, Mia Grant’s hearing was perfectly fine, and she could easily pick out the disdain and contempt in his laugh.

’What a rude guy.’

Among all the people she knew, the only one with a background like Simon Adler’s who was so brazen and shameless was Yates Donovan.

Although, that madman Yates Donovan had seemed a lot more normal lately.

’I wouldn’t say he’s become refined, but at least he’s acting like a human being now.’

So, that made Simon Adler the most infuriating one of all.

It was normal for someone of his status to develop such a haughty personality. But with people like Silas Grant around for comparison, he just seemed all the more arrogant and insolent.

Knowing he probably didn’t believe her, Mia Grant didn’t bother indulging him. She pulled back her pointing index finger, made a fist, and jerked her thumb toward the other side of the screen—the area where they had just been resting.

"I certainly can’t do anything to you by myself. But do you think the few of them combined are enough?"

Simon Adler froze, his gaze snapping up to meet hers.

The young woman met his gaze, her lips curling into a wicked smile. "You have three paths to choose from."

"Either you tell the truth, and we can discuss everything amicably."

"Or, you come with us quietly right now, and stay until you’re willing to tell the truth."

"Or, you run right now, and I’ll have them break your legs before they drag you away."

Their gazes met in mid-air. The girl, a head shorter than him, was just like the night before—a noble and elegant black swan. As she looked up at him, the lines of her long, slender, pale neck were smooth, and her collarbones were exquisite.

For a fleeting moment, Simon Adler thought her eyes held a trace of Silas Grant’s aura.

That feeling of holding all the cards, of skillfully manipulating people’s hearts and controlling the entire situation.

"What’s the matter, sir? Need help calling the police?" Seeing him standing still and sizing her up, clearly cooking up some new scheme, Mia Grant pulled out her phone and offered it to him in a rather friendly manner.

Simon Adler pushed her hand away without a change in expression. Seeing this, Mia Grant straightened up, stuffed the phone back into her bag, and said while zipping it up, "Please hurry up. Didn’t you just say you were about to board your flight?"

"Once the plane takes off, you won’t have a third option anymore."

"I don’t know if you’re naturally like this, or if it’s from spending too much time around them," Simon Adler said ambiguously.

Mia Grant understood his meaning in a flash.

She knew exactly what kind of impression she was giving him right now.

To put it bluntly, it all boiled down to a four-word phrase: bullying with borrowed might.

It was an ugly phrase, but it perfectly matched what he was thinking at that moment.

But it didn’t matter. He was an insignificant person, so what did she care what he thought of her?

’After all, in her eyes, he wasn’t exactly a saint either.’

Simon Adler didn’t look at her again. He pulled out a nearby dining chair and sat down. Seeing this, Mia Grant took a seat as well.

Opposite him.

Simon Adler lit a cigarette and smoked it slowly, methodically. Mia Grant tapped her fingers on the table, growing impatient.

Before she could urge him to hurry, he took the cigarette from his lips and dropped a bombshell.

"It was the old gentleman’s idea."

"So Eric’s call was a fake?"

"Yes."

Mia Grant wasn’t surprised, just full of questions.

"So, what’s the reason you’re going behind my brother’s back to do this to me?"

"You can think of it as protection."

Mia Grant was stunned for a good while. "Huh?"

She knew her expression at that moment was probably a bit comical, but Simon Adler’s words were clearly even more absurd.

More absurd than a clown act at the circus.

It also proved that when a person is truly speechless, they’re liable to laugh.

Just like now.

It really felt like she had just heard a very, very dry joke.

The kind that makes your toes curl from the cringe.

Across from her, the man ignored her mocking laughter. He slowly lifted his eyes and looked at her nonchalantly, yet his gaze seemed to see through everything.

"What did Kian Keller tell you on the phone?"

Mia Grant looked directly into his eyes and felt like he had a Mind Reading Technique, too.

Wary, she didn’t speak for a moment.

Simon Adler nodded, not angry. If she wouldn’t talk, then he would.

"Did he tell you that for the past week or so since you returned to the capital, Silas Grant has been going on blind dates in Portia?"

"Let me tell you, it’s true."

"Furthermore, I can tell you a fact that Silas Grant is unwilling to tell you: one of the women he’s meeting is a candidate for granddaughter-in-law that the old gentleman is very fond of. And, the old gentleman already intends for them to be joined by marriage."

"..." Mia Grant’s pupils contracted.

"I’m not kidding." Simon Adler was very satisfied with her current expression; it was exactly what he had imagined.

In an instant, it was as if they had switched roles.

The one in control was now Simon Adler.

But soon, Mia Grant’s expression returned to normal. She asked calmly, "So what?"

Her tone was placid. Aside from that initial flicker of shock, there was no other sign.

Anger, rage, or sadness.

There was none of it.

This part, however, was a little different from what he had imagined.

"What does this have to do with the old gentleman looking for me? Doesn’t he already know I’m engaged?"

"Yes, the old gentleman knows about your engagement," Simon Adler explained. "But that can only stop you. It can’t stop him."

Mia Grant: "..."

"So, before they complete all the ceremonies, you need to move into the Hughes Family’s residence and stay there."

Mia Grant’s breath hitched. "This is ’protection’?"

"What else do you think it is?"

"This is illegal confinement!!!" Mia Grant shot to her feet, nearly knocking over the chair behind her.

Fortunately, there were no other travelers nearby, so she didn’t attract a crowd.

Faced with her fury, Simon Adler remained unmoved. He just shrugged lightly, flicked the ash from his cigarette, and said, "If you say so."

Mia Grant turned to leave.

"Think it over carefully."

Simon Adler’s eyes lifted, locking onto her retreating back. "Why would the old gentleman suddenly propose an arranged marriage for Silas Grant at this particular juncture? He’s done it before, but never this urgently, making him meet so many women in just one week."

"Before you, there are also three paths."

"Either you come with me voluntarily."

"Or, I find a way to take you with me. Those people of yours are indeed troublesome, but it’s not like there’s no way to deal with them."

"And the third option?" Mia Grant turned back around.

"Kill me?"