Chapter 245

The night was ink-black, with only the faint hum of laboratory equipment breaking the silence.

Adrian Klein paused his work, his peripheral vision catching the girl beside him.

Evelyn Langley was meticulously recording data, her lashes casting delicate shadows under the light.

It struck him—this was the first time someone had stayed up all night with him in the lab.

The feeling was... unfamiliar.

By 3 AM, they finally finished.

Inside the elevator, Evelyn stifled a yawn, her eyes glistening with fatigue.

"Goodnight," she murmured.

Adrian watched her enter the apartment across the hall, but his mind replayed the afternoon's scene—

Raindrops pelting the pavement as she held that silk parasol, her cheongsam tracing every graceful curve.

He slammed his door shut, Adam's apple bobbing.

Evelyn fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Chloe Valentine tossed restlessly in bed.

Nathan Evans was out again.

Margaret Evans' mocking words looped in her ears.

She flung off the covers and stormed barefoot into the living room.

"Where the hell is everyone?!"

Her shrill voice echoed through the empty mansion.

Two maids scurried out in alarm.

"Miss Valentine, what's wrong?"

Chloe's icy gaze swept over them. "I want bird's nest soup. Now."

The maids exchanged glances. "At this hour—"

"What? You suddenly don't take orders from me?"

The older maid forced a smile. "I'll prepare it right away."

Chloe jabbed a finger at the younger one. "You—come massage me."

The girl hesitated.

"Deaf?" Chloe's voice sharpened. "My back's killing me thanks to your incompetence!"

The maid bit her lip and approached. The instant her fingers grazed Chloe's shoulders, they were slapped away.

"Gently! Trying to murder me?"