Chapter 17

The Ancient Castle.

Adeline gazed at the magnificent architecture before her, the Director’s words echoing in her ears.

"You are to help someone with psychological therapy. The client is offering a very high price, but you don't need to do much; just stay for a full month. The compensation is five million."

Clutching the documents in her hand, Adeline finally stepped into the castle.

The main gates opened automatically, revealing a courtyard that was hollow and empty. Marble tiles covered the entire floor, lending an air of icy coldness, while Byzantine-style paintings endowed the building with a lavish, exotic flair.

It looked like a magnificent, empty tomb.

Suppressing the slight unease in her heart, Adeline called out softly, "Mr. Formans? I am the new psychologist."

"We meet again."

An abrupt masculine voice shattered the silence.

Adeline turned around; it was Edward.

"It's you."

A flash of pleasant surprise crossed Edward’s eyes. "So it turns out you are my psychologist."

Adeline knit her brows.

Edward seemed not to notice the wariness in her eyes. He walked forward calmly, offered a slight smile, and extended a hand with well-defined joints. "Can you tell me your name now?"

After a few seconds of hesitation, Adeline also reached out her hand. "Adeline."

Edward’s smile widened. "Hello, Adeline. I am Edward."

And so, Adeline moved in, beginning her month-long assignment.

Back home.

Dominic was still desperately searching for Adeline.

After fainting yet again due to irregular eating habits, he slowly woke up. His first words were: "Adeline, I want to drink the porridge you brew."

The assistant froze, then let out a sigh. "Mr. Dominic, the Madam is already gone."

His eyes cleared instantly as the events of the past few days flooded his mind, and his mood turned incredibly irritable once more.

Grandfather Fu stood by the bed, leaning on his cane, looking disappointed and angry.

"Look at you now. You don't have the slightest air of a Fu family heir. Turning yourself into this state all for one woman."

"She is my wife," Dominic said. His voice was gentle and his face calm, yet it sent a shiver down Grandfather Fu’s spine.

Thinking of his grandson’s past ruthlessness, the old man softened his tone slightly.

"You are already divorced. Given Adeline’s personality, I’m afraid she was deeply scarred by you this time."

"Why don't you take this opportunity to arrange a marriage with a family of equal status? It would be good for the family’s interests."

Every word Grandfather Fu spoke was meant as advice, but it sounded exceptionally grating to Dominic’s ears.

"Grandfather, you are old. You’d better stay out of my business." He picked up an apple and hurled it violently against the wall. "Otherwise, don't blame me for being disrespectful."

The apple brushed past Grandfather Fu’s ear, scaring him so much he nearly had a heart attack.

Grandfather Fu snapped back to his senses. "You ungrateful brat!"

Seeing Dominic’s crazed state, he didn't dare say more and simply turned to leave.

The ward fell silent.

Before long, the assistant entered.

"Mr. Dominic, there is news of the Madam."

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The castle in Country A.

Adeline had gradually grown accustomed to life here. The castle was vast, and usually, it was just her and Edward.

Edward preferred quiet, so the servants would retreat as soon as they finished cleaning. Even now, Adeline didn't know where these servants suddenly appeared from.

There was a Steinway piano in the living room.

Every day after dinner, she would play a piece. Every time at this hour, Edward would appear behind her.

He would greet her with a smile: "Adeline, can you play another one?"

At times like these, Edward seemed perfectly normal, not at all like someone with a psychological disorder. Adeline thought so as well.

However, that night, he had an episode.

The sound of heavy objects crashing to the floor echoed from upstairs.

Startled, Adeline instinctively ran toward Edward’s room. Then she paused, realizing she should first call for help at a time like this.

Hoarse, painful screams from a man drifted from the room.

Adeline’s feet, which were about to turn away, stopped. Finally, as if accepting her fate, she knocked on the door. "Mr. Edward, are you alright?"

After a while, the door opened.

First to be seen were Edward’s green eyes, filled with apology. "Sorry for scaring you."

Adeline glanced into the room; it was a scene of absolute wreckage.

Edward shifted his body slightly, blocking her view. "Adeline, are you okay?"

Adeline rubbed her head awkwardly. "I was afraid something happened to you, so I came up to check."

Edward was silent for a few seconds before asking, "Are you afraid of me?"

Adeline was taken aback; she hadn't actually considered that question in detail. Aside from his air of mystery, everything else about him was the picture of politeness.

Adeline shook her head. "You are my patient. Why would I be afraid of you?"

This time, Edward gave a truly heartfelt smile.

He told her that his sudden outburst was because his mother had demanded he enter an arranged marriage. He had refused, and his mother had threatened suicide.

After listening, Adeline rubbed her nose. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to my room."

Edward suddenly grabbed her hand. "Adeline, can you marry me?"

Adeline was shocked by those words.

Edward was very sincere. "I think I fell in love with you at first sight. Will you marry me?"

Adeline fled.

She hid in her room and didn't fall asleep until dawn.

Early the next morning, she left a note and departed.

Yet, the very next day, Adeline saw Edward at the research institute.

Just as Adeline pushed open her door, a man in a white lab coat turned around, looking at her somewhat reproachfully. "Adeline, why did you leave so early? Was it because...?"

Adeline didn't know how to respond, so she tested the waters. "Edward, do you remember what happened yesterday?"

Edward blinked. "I proposed to you."

Adeline found it hard to put into words, but realizing he was a foreigner, she said, "Edward, we Easterners generally do not propose without first getting to know each other."

She chose her words carefully. "It doesn't fit the tradition."

Edward blinked again, slowly resting his chin on his hand, his green eyes staring straight at her. "Adeline, believe me, I wasn't joking."

"But you don't know me."

Edward disagreed:

"I know you love spicy hotpot, but you always carefully pick out the peppercorns; you have seventeen pots of roses on your balcony and you water them at exactly seven every morning; you don't add sugar to your milk, but you put in a spoonful of honey; you get red-eyed every time you watch a tragic movie."

"You love feeding stray cats, especially orange ones; you go to church once a week; and your piano playing was influenced by your father."

Adeline grew more alarmed as she listened. "You investigated me."

Edward fell silent, but couldn't help defending himself. "I just care about you."

Adeline grew angry. "I don't need your care."

Edward’s eyes dimmed instantly. He lowered his head, looking exactly like a dejected little kitten.

Adeline shook her head and said seriously, "Edward, prying into someone’s privacy is a very powerless behavior."

Edward looked piteous and whispered, "But you aren't 'someone else,' you’re my future wife."