Chapter 380

"Who else could it be but the third one?" Beatrice Merouin said decisively.

"Adrian?" Julian Roscente raised an eyebrow. Their youngest son had never given them any trouble, disciplined to the point of being rigid.

At every gathering with friends, others would complain about their sons' shortcomings while he simply smiled without comment.

The eldest had taken over the family business. The second was thriving at his law firm. And the youngest had already won prestigious scientific awards despite his youth.

"What happened when you visited Adrian today?"

Beatrice frowned deeply. "Something's off about him."

"How so?"

"He actually ordered two meals!" Her voice rose sharply. "Two!"

Julian looked baffled. "What's the problem?"

"I think he has a girlfriend!"

Julian nearly laughed. "That's all? Maybe he was just hungry or getting food for a colleague."

He steeped his tea with deliberate elegance, movements unhurried.

"You know Adrian's personality. It's either the lab or data—he even considers coming home for meals a waste of time. Where would a girlfriend fit in?"

"Besides, he's twenty-eight. Isn't dating a good thing? Weren't you arranging blind dates for him before?"

Beatrice knew her husband was right, but the thought of her son possibly hiding a relationship made her restless.

"I'm going to bed." She stood abruptly.

Julian was surprised. "No evening walk today?"

"Conserving energy." She headed upstairs without looking back.

Tomorrow, she would storm her son's apartment for answers.

———

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains.

Evelyn Langley woke before her alarm, stretching as she got up to wash.

The sweet aroma of congee filled the kitchen from the timed cooker. She ate quickly, cleaned up, and prepared to leave.

On the fourth-floor landing, a startled cry echoed from below. Peering down, she saw an elegantly dressed woman sprawled awkwardly in a pile of garbage.

Residents on the third floor habitually left trash in the stairwell, creating a foul stench.

"Are you alright?" Evelyn hurried down to help her up.

"Thank you—" Beatrice looked up, then froze.

She remembered this face all too well.

The tea master who'd publicly criticized her brewing skills at that tea appreciation gathering.

Beatrice wasn't one to hold grudges, but something about this girl rubbed her the wrong way.

Maybe it was that ostentatious cheongsam.

Or how close she'd been to Eleanor Roland.

Whatever the reason, they simply didn't mix.

Evelyn recognized the society matron too and withdrew her hand politely. "You're welcome."

Beatrice inexplicably bristled at the retreat.

"Why do you live here?" The question slipped out.

"I rent here." Evelyn answered calmly.