Chapter 496

"Oh?" The nurse blinked between Adrian and Julian, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment. "My apologies! I didn't realize. How awkward." She scurried away, muttering under her breath.

Julian stayed silent, his dark eyes flashing with unreadable emotions as Adrian approached. "All taken care of," Adrian said smoothly, deliberately ignoring the tension in Julian's posture. He pulled a receipt from his pocket and tucked it into Julian's shirt. "You can repay me later."

Vivian turned to Adrian, forcing lightness into her voice. "Let's get Julian something to eat before we take him home."

"He looks like he hasn't had a proper meal in weeks," Vivian added, reaching to pinch Adrian's hand playfully. But he caught her wrist firmly, his grip unyielding. His eyes turned icy as he said, "Your friend Audrey is waiting at Seabreeze Villa. Ethan will drive you home now."

Vivian frowned. "Audrey? How did she end up at our house?" She checked her phone, but there were no messages from Audrey.

Adrian's jaw clenched as he kept his tone measured. "How should I know? She's always full of surprises. Maybe her battery died."

Vivian studied him skeptically. His explanation sounded plausible, but something about his controlled demeanor set her on edge.

After a beat, she turned back to Julian with concern. "What about Julian?"

Adrian's response came instantly, calm but edged with annoyance. "I'll make sure he gets home safely. I may not like him, but I'm not heartless."

Vivian hesitated. "But—"

Adrian's patience snapped. "But what? When I got hurt protecting you, it was far worse than this. You didn't fuss over me like this."

Vivian recoiled at his words. She opened her mouth to argue, but seeing Julian's composed expression, she bit back her retort. Instead, she rattled off instructions. "Fine. But be gentle with his injured arm. Get him proper food. Help him clean up, and keep his bandages dry."

Adrian tilted his head, his smile mocking. "I'm not his personal attendant. He has staff for that."

Turning to Julian, Vivian softened her voice. "I'll check on you tomorrow, okay?"

Julian leaned against the wall, offering a faint smile. "Don't trouble yourself, Vivian. It's just a scratch. I'll manage." His tone was polite, almost detached. "Besides, I wouldn't want to interrupt your schedule. We all have our own lives, and this isn't worth your concern. In this condition, I wouldn't be very good company anyway."

Adrian's expression darkened, Julian's reasonable words only fueling his irritation. Earlier at Harbor Grand Hotel, Adrian had been certain Julian's injury was no accident—another one of his calculated plays.

Just then, Ethan appeared, his steps brisk. He nodded respectfully. "Mr. Blackwood, Mrs. Blackwood, Mr. Montclair."

Adrian gestured dismissively. "Ethan, take Mrs. Blackwood back to Seabreeze Villa."