Chapter 144

Penelope jumped at the sudden noise, deciding against staying to investigate.

She disappeared into the night with hurried steps.

Adrian's gaze snapped toward a shadowy figure illuminated by the garden's soft lighting. His lips twisted into a frosty smile. "Lurking outside my residence at this hour?" he challenged.

Seeing no point in hiding, Vivian abandoned her concealment.

With effortless grace, she bent to retrieve her fallen sketchbook and moved toward Adrian through the moonlit garden.

When she reached him, she casually flipped open the sketchbook. "The room felt stifling. I needed fresh air to work on my screenplay."

"I wasn't aware of your room assignment," she added. "How could I know this was your private retreat?" An uneasy silence settled between them.

Adrian suddenly broke the quiet. "She came to my room voluntarily. It wasn't planned."

Vivian blinked in surprise before understanding dawned - he was explaining Serena's presence.

Though she hadn't caught all of Penelope's words, Serena's name had been unmistakable.

Was this Adrian's attempt to prove his loyalty to Serena? Or a calculated move to win Vivian's sympathy? The contradiction made her nauseous.

Her grip tightened on the sketchbook as she replied coldly, "Your explanations mean nothing to me. You owe me no justifications."

Adrian's anger dissipated when he noticed Vivian's pale complexion. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead, replacing his irritation with concern.

"What's wrong?" he asked, brows knitting together.

Vivian weakly waved him off. "Just hunger pains," she murmured, clutching her stomach as she turned away.

Adrian caught her wrist gently. "The night market's just opening."

She pulled free with surprising strength despite her weakened state. "No need," she said quietly. "I'll get instant noodles from the convenience store."

"I'm hungry too," Adrian declared in his typical uncompromising tone.

Another wave of pain robbed Vivian of energy to argue. She sighed, eyeing his attire. "You're going to the night market like that?" she asked, gesturing weakly at his robe.

"I'll change," he stated matter-of-factly, already guiding her toward the villa as if her protests were irrelevant.

Within minutes, Adrian emerged dressed with car keys in hand, ready to escort them to the bustling night market.