Chapter 276

Evelyn Langley's eyes widened as the words "Calling..." flashed on her phone screen, catching her completely off guard.

Sophia Laurent had acted with startling speed.

"Beep—beep—"

The ringing tone pierced the silence of the room.

At the same moment, the doorbell chimed.

Moving mechanically, Evelyn walked to the entrance and pulled open the door.

A familiar male voice came through the phone: "Hello?"

Adrian Klein stood outside, his cell pressed to his ear.

Their eyes locked.

Evelyn's lips twitched.

That girl had absolutely done this on purpose!

In the entire city, who else could reach her home within ten minutes except Adrian who lived next door?

Half an hour later.

Evelyn gently closed the bedroom door behind her—Sophia had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Turning around, her gaze collided with the man seated on the sofa.

Adrian was studying the scattered liquor bottles on the coffee table, his brow slightly furrowed.

"These..."

"Were hers," Evelyn answered quickly.

He looked up. "And you?"

"Just two bottles." She held up two fingers. "Really, I can hold my liquor."

Sophia was different—mixing red wine with beer was practically begging for a hangover.

Adrian sighed. "Stay put."

Rolling up his shirt sleeves, he revealed toned forearms.

Evelyn watched blankly as he cleaned up, her alcohol-slowed thoughts struggling to keep pace.

Only when the trash bag was securely tied did she snap back to reality.

"I'll take this out," Adrian said, lifting the bag.

Evelyn suddenly stood. "I'm coming too!"

The night breeze carried a slight chill, making her instinctively hunch her shoulders.

"Put this on." A jacket appeared before her.

The hallway motion sensor lights flickered intermittently.

Adrian walked ahead, his shadow stretching long behind him.

Evelyn stepped carefully on his elongated silhouette, matching his pace.

"Aunt Eleanor approached me today," he said abruptly.

"About the arranged marriage?"

"Mhm."

The trash bin clanged shut.

They fell into step along the community pathway.

"The Kleins don't need marriage alliances," Adrian said calmly. "But she's insistent."

Eleanor Roland came from an elite family and had flourished after marrying into the Klein household.

She firmly believed equal social standing was the foundation of marital happiness.

Sophia disagreed.

"She won't be returning home for now." Adrian paused. "I'd appreciate it if you could look after her."

Evelyn shook her head. "She's my best friend."

Under the streetlamp, their shadows merged into one.

The night wind tangled through her loose hair.