Chapter 490

Every decision required careful consideration of its consequences. Even Alistair Prescott, as the family patriarch, couldn't act recklessly. He had to weigh the opinions of his relatives before making any major moves. Adrienne Prescott had always assumed this was how all powerful families operated—until she discovered the astonishing exception.

The Kensington family functioned differently.

From what she'd heard, when Alexander Kensington set his mind to something, no one dared oppose him. No objections, no interference—just absolute freedom to pursue his desires. The realization made Adrienne's breath catch.

Wasn't this exactly what she'd secretly longed for her entire life?

"Adrienne? Adrienne!" Cassandra Winslow's voice finally pierced through her thoughts. Blinking, Adrienne focused on her friend's impatient expression. "You spaced out again. What's going through that head of yours?"

"Nothing important," Adrienne lied smoothly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "So you're saying there's no way to be with him unless he initiates it?"

"Obviously!" Cassandra groaned, twisting the hem of her blouse between manicured fingers. "Do you think I'd be this frustrated otherwise?"

Adrienne bit her lip. Even she couldn't devise a solution to this dilemma. Choosing her words carefully, she tried another approach. "Tell me, what tangible proof do you have of his affection?"

Cassandra brightened immediately. "Oh, he's given me so many gifts! Designer handbags, couture dresses, jewelry worth a fortune—"

"That's not what I meant!" Adrienne cut her off with an exasperated wave. "I'm talking about physical intimacy. How many times have you kissed? Has he ever held you close? Have you two..." She lowered her voice conspiratorially, "...gone all the way?"

Cassandra's porcelain skin flushed scarlet. She swatted Adrienne's arm twice in rapid succession. "Adrienne Prescott! Since when do you talk like some tavern wench?"

This reaction shocked Adrienne more than the revelation itself. The prim and proper Cassandra Winslow—reduced to a blushing schoolgirl at the mere suggestion?

"I'm being practical!" Adrienne rubbed her stinging arm. "Don't tell me you've never even held hands!"

Cassandra's deepening blush confirmed everything.

Adrienne's eyebrows shot up. "But you've known each other since childhood! How is this possible?" A man resisting Cassandra's beauty and relentless pursuit? Unheard of.

"We—we held hands once!" Cassandra confessed in a rush, her gaze dropping to her lap. "Years ago, crossing Magnolia Avenue. I grabbed his hand from behind..."

Adrienne leaned forward, captivated.

"He didn't let go until we reached the other side." Cassandra's voice softened with remembered wonder. "For days afterward, I floated on air."

The wistfulness in her friend's tone made Adrienne's chest tighten. One fleeting moment of contact—that was all Cassandra had to treasure after years of devotion.

The realization settled like lead in Adrienne's stomach. Alexander Kensington wasn't just powerful.

He was dangerous.