Ethan Langley felt a chill crawl up the back of his neck.
Was Third Brother really asking him to demonstrate… right here?
Since when was Adrian into this kind of thing?
But then he recalled something he'd overheard recently, and an idea hit him like lightning—
Could it be… Third Brother went to see the new sister in law, and didn't know how to kiss?
Wouldn't be surprising. Adrian was the kind of man who felt sick when women got close.
"That bottle of Romanée-Conti is yours," Adrian said, his brows already faintly furrowed, tone laced with growing impatience.
It didn't sound like a request to kiss someone—it sounded like a command to die.
Ethan thought he'd stumbled upon the truth.
The beauty in his arms tilted her face up to him.
"Mr. Langley…"
Screw it. Ethan had always been reckless.
If Third Brother wanted a demonstration, he'd give one.
He'd teach Third Brother how to kiss his sister-in-law properly.
He leaned in and kissed her. Years of experience showed.
The woman melted into his embrace within seconds.
And that intense gaze? Never wavered—still locked on the two of them.
…
After a round of drinks, Ethan finally let the woman go.
But the moment he released her, Adrian stood up and walked over.
Leisurely, he turned his empty glass around in his hand and lifted the woman's chin to examine her closely.
Flushed cheeks, dazed eyes, heaving chest—clearly stirred.
Adrian let out a faint hiss, his face an expressionless mask.
A wave of menace spread from his body.
"Very good…"
So much for that "I want you" nonsense.
She didn't even react to a kiss.
The unsaid words only left more room for imagination.
Was Third Brother praising his "lesson"? Or his dedication to learning?
Ethan wondered.
Adrian sank back into the single sofa chair by the window. Eyes half-closed, he downed another glass in one gulp.
Ryan stood silently behind him, clueless as to what had provoked the man's fury tonight.
By all accounts, no one in the Pryce family had the guts to mess with him anymore.
"Find me a clean woman," Adrian said lazily, his voice low and flat.
Ryan's brows twitched, but he didn't dare ask questions. He went to find someone.
Who had the gall to stir this hornet's nest?
He returned with Daisy, a top-tier actress with a sweet, innocent face—one of the rare "pure" ones in the entertainment world.
"Third Master, I checked. This one's… relatively clean," Ryan murmured, head lowered beside him.
That cold, blade-like gaze swept over.
Relatively?
Ryan flinched.
Finding a truly clean woman in this place was like panning for gold in a sewer.
Thankfully, Adrian let it slide.
The single sofa was big. He looked up casually at the woman now standing in front of him.
Long hair down to her waist, a white dress falling past her knees.
He jerked his chin slightly. "Sit."
Across from him, Ethan's brows twitched.
Learning the lesson and applying it immediately?
Wasn't this supposed to be for kissing his sister-in-law?
But wasn't Third Brother disgusted by women?
Daisy was nervous, but she knew this was her once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Adrian Pryce had never asked for a woman before—now she was the chosen one.
If she got close to him, she'd rule the entirety of the Thirteen Provinces.
She blushed slightly and sat down, keeping a respectful distance.
Adrian moved his lips. "Closer."
Daisy had heard the stories. Just days ago, a woman who tried to get near him had ended up with two broken bones and a ruined face.
And now… he was inviting her closer?
Ecstatic but cautious, she inched forward.
When she was nearly in his arms and saw no rejection, she leaned in to kiss him.
Closer and closer, her heart pounded faster.
Adrian's Adam's apple bobbed. They were inches apart.
Just half a finger's width, and she'd have the most powerful man in the Thirteen Provinces.
But just as her lips were about to brush his—
Bam! She was shoved away with brute force.
"Ugh—" Adrian doubled over.
Ryan moved fast, thrusting a trash can in front of him.
Daisy stood frozen in place, utterly lost.
Adrian snatched a tissue, wiped his mouth, voice hoarse and low:
"Get the hell out. All of you."
The room cleared in an instant.
Daisy fled too, glancing back with regret—such a golden opportunity…
Adrian lay back on the sofa, heat rising from his gut.
His hand covered his face, sharp knuckles pressing into his brow.
One thing was confirmed:
His left arm, right at the biceps, was throbbing with a thousand tiny pains.
He cursed under his breath.
Adrian Pryce, you pathetic bastard.
——
The next morning, Serena left Glassridge Hill early.
She didn't see Julian or Lilia again.
From this day on, the Pryce family would take full responsibility for their care.
She only needed to visit once a week.
The thirty million had arrived. She had things to do.
The Pryce family's driver dropped her off at Wenridge.
But she didn't go into the main house.
She headed down to the underground garage, pulled out her usual white car,
and locked the entire property behind her.
Wenridge gradually disappeared in her rearview mirror.
This had been her last piece of peace.
"Serena, you can only choose one—your grandma or the Sangsters."
"Serena, once you return to the Sangsters, forget about your grandma."
"Serena, grandma left you Wenridge. This will always be your home."
…
Four years ago, she returned here with nothing but exhaustion.
She just wanted to collapse in her grandmother's rocking chair at Wenridge and sleep forever.
No responsibilities. No more choices.
The Sangsters, the world outside the Thirteen Provinces—none of it mattered.
She was just too tired.
She simply wanted to die, quietly and unnoticed.
But the endless vomiting and her delayed period forced her to keep living.
The twins had been a total surprise.
To give birth to them, she'd nearly lost her life.
What remained of her, she scraped together and lived quietly with her children at Wenridge,
never drawing attention, doing her best to avoid trouble.
A year ago, the eyes watching her from the shadows finally started to retreat.
Six months later, she began moving like a normal person again.
She applied for a job, sent Julian and Lilia to preschool, picked them up like any ordinary mom.
Once those eyes fully disappeared, she exposed the children's existence—
And Edric Pryce Senior came knocking on her door.
…