Chapter 36: The Jade Is No Longer Fragile

Early the next morning, Vivian Hale changed into a moon-white qipao, which contoured her figure into an even more exquisite and elegant silhouette. Her long hair was swept up, complemented by delicate brows and subtle makeup. Her entire presence appeared grounded and remarkably dignified.

As she headed downstairs, Adrian Cross had actually returned to pick her up—a rare gesture for him. Seeing her exceptionally gentle aura today, an anomalous flicker instantly passed through Adrian’s eyes. Ever since he was prompted by Vivian that day, he felt increasingly that something was amiss with Tiffany Rose. Technically, she had truly managed to present a flawless patent on her end now, and the condition she proposed was actually for him to marry her! Marry her? Heh! Women truly couldn't be indulged; the more you indulged them, the vaster their appetites became. He hadn't figured out his next move yet, so he could only coax her for the time being. Thinking of this, he uncontrollably felt a few deeper traces of guilt toward Vivian.

"My apologies. Work was far too hectic last night, and I couldn't make it back." Adrian stepped forward to wrap his arms around her slender waist, his voice dropping low, "From now on, I will definitely carve out more time to accompany you, hmm?"

Vivian let out a cold sneer in her heart, yet on the surface, she remained absolutely submissive. "It doesn't matter, Honey. I know the company's recent situation isn't very good, and you've already worked hard enough. You must pay more attention to resting. As long as you are well, I don't harbor desires for anything else."

Her considerateness left Adrian thoroughly satisfied. Pulling her into his embrace, he leaned down, getting ready to press a kiss against her face. Gazing at that approaching face, Vivian felt thoroughly nauseated to the core. Violently pushing him away, she let out a startled cry.

"Oh my, stop fooling around with me. The medicinal food brewing in the kitchen for Mom is almost done. I need to ladle it out rapidly and bring it over to the ancestral mansion in a bit." As she spoke, she strode quickly into the kitchen.

Left outside, Adrian had no choice but to suppress the dissatisfaction in his heart. When all was said and done, the reason she curried favor with Eleanor Cross this much was entirely because of him, wasn't it? Although Eleanor wasn't his biological mother, she had raised him since childhood; on the surface, it was only right for him to display more filial piety toward her. Over these past few years, it was also thanks to Vivian that he had saved plenty of face.

An hour later, Vivian arrived at the Cross ancestral mansion arm-in-arm with Adrian. To their surprise, they discovered someone had arrived even earlier than them.

"Auntie, your outfit today is simply too beautiful! Especially wearing this entire set of jade pieces—your temperament is truly remarkable and radiant. If we went out together like this, others would definitely think you were my sister!" Tiffany was dressed in a little white dress, her entire being appearing entirely harmless as she dished out diligent flattery. She had coaxed Eleanor into a complete daze, laughing so hard her mouth couldn't close, completely forgetting her previous unpleasantness for a moment.

"Mm, this piece of jade does look fairly decent."

Adrian, however, subconsciously knit his brows. He hadn't notified Tiffany about this event at all; in fact, he had even hidden from her when making the phone call to Vivian. How did she manage to come over on her own? He didn't appreciate this kind of behavior where someone took matters into their own hands and broke free from his control. Particularly, he recalled Vivian’s words from that day and the fact that Tiffany was using the patent to force a marriage. Could it be that she truly harbored alternate motives?

Meanwhile, witnessing this scene, a glint flashed through Vivian’s eyes, but she rapidly displayed a look of absolute shock. "Miss Rose, why are you here?"

Tiffany naturally saw the two of them walking in side-by-side as well. Jealousy flashed through her eyes, but she quickly broke into a coy laugh, walking over to intentionally squeeze into the space between the two of them. "Miss Hale, please don't misunderstand. I merely heard it was Auntie's birthday, so I came over specially to celebrate with her. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

"Oh, so that's how it is..." An expression of realization dawned on Vivian, before she appeared to recall something else right on cue. "True enough. You caused no small amount of trouble at Star Source previously; it is indeed right for you to come over and apologize to Mom to secure her forgiveness. After all, I've heard that the items you ruined require a substantial amount of money in compensation..."

Hearing this, Eleanor’s expression altered slightly, and the jade clutched in her hand was instantly no longer fragile. The last time she sent Tiffany to work at Star Source, the shift hadn't been handled well, and she had conversely damaged a substantial number of items instead. Because it was processed under Vivian’s guarantee, and Vivian’s assets had already been transferred over to her, the matter ultimately became entangled with those commercial storefront properties. The exact amount of the liability claim hadn't been delivered yet, so they still didn't know how much they would have to compensate. Thinking of this, the smile on her face faded considerably. However, she had also heard from her son's mouth that Tiffany had secured a brand-new patent, so at this moment, she could only side with her.

"Alright, today is my birthday. Do you absolutely insist on bringing me misfortune on a joyful day like this?" Eleanor cast a displeased glare at Vivian. "Tiffany came over early in the morning to keep me company, giving me gifts and making me happy. Unlike you, who doesn't accomplish a single task and only stands there delivering sarcastic remarks. Hurry up and get into the kitchen to prepare the dishes; today I want to eat sixteen separate courses." She remained exactly like before, wanting to order Vivian around like a common servant.

Standing to the side, Tiffany instantly felt a surge of absolute pride upon hearing these words, her gaze carrying a few traces of provocation. "Exactly. I've heard Adrian mention before that Miss Hale's culinary skills are exceptionally wonderful. Today is Auntie's birthday, surely Miss Hale will display her absolute best?"

Vivian took it all in, scoffing in her heart at this family's delusional wishful thinking, yet on the surface, she displayed a somewhat helpless expression. "Mom, it's not that I don't want to prepare them for you, but I went to the hospital for a physical examination these past couple of days. The doctor said my illness might have worsened and instructed me to avoid touching oil and smoke as much as possible. Since you appreciate Miss Rose this much, why not let her showcase her skills in the kitchen instead? I believe her technique is definitely superior to mine."

Eleanor had tasted Tiffany’s culinary attempts before, so she naturally knew exactly how sparse her skills were. Seeing that Vivian dared to refuse her, her fury intensified. Just as she was about to unleash her rage, Vivian pulled out the medicinal food right on cue. She spoke with absolute sincerity and gentleness. "But today is Mom's birthday after all. As your daughter-in-law, I can't just accomplish absolutely nothing merely because I'm ill. This is the medicinal food I went to great lengths to secure for you. I got out of bed at four this morning to stew it, and it's been simmering for a long while. Why don't you taste it first?"

Eleanor’s beauty treatments and sleep status had been poor lately, and her body was currently experiencing severe discomfort; the moment she saw the medicinal food, her eyes illuminated completely. "Oh, Vivian! Mom was mistaken just now. You're still the one who understands exactly what I want most. You truly are thoughtful!" The words she had been about to unleash became choked in her throat, leaving her no choice but to offer perfunctory praise instead.

Vivian found her hypocrisy thoroughly ironic, long since accustomed to her pattern of changing faces faster than turning the pages of a book. On the surface, she still had to put on a bashful front, glancing at Adrian as she spoke with a face full of sweetness. "Mom, you flatter me too much. For Adrian's sake, I'm willing to do absolutely anything. I was previously worried about my illness, which was why I didn't bring it up. If the results of this examination turn out entirely good, Adrian and I will plan to have a child. When that time comes, you'll be able to cradle a grandson, don't you agree, Adrian?"

Adrian looked at her with a hint of surprise in his eyes upon hearing this. Compared to a few days ago when he brought up the matter of a child and she consistently made excuses, he had initially thought she was unwilling. So it turned out she had merely been worried about her illness? It seemed he had somewhat misunderstood her. Thinking of this, he curled his lips, speaking with a smile, "Correct."

Hearing this, however, the depths of Tiffany’s eyes glinted with a venomous, jealous chill, wishing she could tear Vivian into absolute shreds. Wanting to have a child? She doesn't deserve it! If she gives birth to a child, how is Adrian supposed to divorce her? No, absolutely out of the question!!

In the end, the dishes were prepared by the family's maid. The atmosphere at the dining table was quite pleasant, and Vivian rose to head to the restroom. To her surprise, the exact millisecond she stepped out, she spotted Tiffany standing right by the doorway.