Adrian felt a chill seep through his whole body, hands and feet icy cold, blood pounding in his ears.
Was the world ever going to be fair again?
Selene’s bed was enormous–why on earth couldn’t it fit a third person?
He swallowed hard, his throat tight and raw, Adam’s apple bobbing.
Selene noticed Adrian’s eyes rimmed with red.
“Mr. Shaw, are you alright?” she asked gently.
He shook his head, voice thick with emotion. “I’m fine. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”
Selene blinked, confusion written plain across her face.
Carmel’s arms, still looped around Selene’s waist, squeezed tighter. Resting her chin on Selene’s shoulder, she whispered, “He’s acting so weird!”
Adrian’s fists clenched at his sides–he had never been so humiliated in his life.
This pampered puppy, emboldened by Selene’s affection, seized every opportunity to make him look bad!
Adrian opened his mouth, ready to snap back-
But Selene just stroked Carmel’s cheek with a gentle tenderness. “Let’s get you home, Carmel. You’ve been on a plane for ten hours, you must be exhausted. Once we’re back, take a shower and get a good night’s sleep, alright?”
It was as if Adrian had been struck by lightning.
His face twisted into that of a drenched puppy; if he’d had floppy ears, they’d be drooping in misery right now.
Fine, Selene. Go ahead and dote on Carmel.
He’d just retreat to his dark little corner, lick his wounds, and let himself fester in jealousy–twisted and alone, crawling like a worm.
The waves of resentment radiating from Adrian were so intense, Carmel instinctively pressed herself even closer to Selene, their backs perfectly aligned.
“Mhm!” Carmel nuzzled into the soft wool of Selene’s coat, rubbing her cheek.
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against it several times.
After five long years apart, it felt as if nothing had changed between them, as if they’d never been separated at all.
Only when they leaned into each other like this did Carmel feel the emptiness of her heart, vacant for half a decade, finally fill up again.
“Wait, isn’t that Carmel?”
“She was on our flight, and you didn’t even notice?”
A short distance away in the arrivals hall, a few foreigners were loading oversized luggage onto carts.
They’d been watching Carmel for a while now, curiosity in their eyes as they took in the sight of Selene wrapped up in Carmel’s embrace.
After all, none of them had ever seen Carmel this close to anyone.
Standing among them was Secretary Burnett, one of Harrison’s aides.
Following their stares, Secretary Burnett’s gaze landed on Selene–who was being held by what appeared, at first glance, to be a young man. He startled in surprise.
Meanwhile, directly in front of Selene stood Adrian and Luke Holloway, both of whom seemed unfazed by the “boy” clinging to Selene.
Was he a relative of Selene’s?
Fumbling for his phone, Secretary Burnett quickly shot a message to Harrison while asking the others, “Do you know that gentleman?”
The group chuckled, realizing Secretary Burnett’s mistake; they played along, referring to Carmel as a man.
“That’s Carmel, Luna’s lead driver.”
Secretary Burnett was taken aback. The boss’s ex–wife was this close with the legendary Carmel?
He could have sworn Carmel had been living abroad all this time–how had she and Selene become so close?
But since he’d run into Carmel, Secretary Burnett decided to seize the chance and stepped forward.
“Excuse me, Miss Thompson, sorry to interrupt.”
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As soon as someone from Harrison’s circle appeared, Luke Holloway’s entirel demeanor changed, exuding an intimidating presence.
Secretary Burnett flinched. If it weren’t for Carmel, he would have avoided this group entirely.
Carmel turned to see Burnett and the people standing behind him. Her brows knitted.
Selene recognized them too–those foreigners had all worked as engineers or mechanics for the Luna Racing Club.
She asked Carmel, “Did Vincent and the others come to Aldonia with you?”
Carmel shook her head. “They-”
Before she could finish, Secretary Burnett interjected, “Miss Thompson, please don’t misunderstand. I’m actually here to speak with Carmel.”
Luke Holloway rolled his eyes. “Spit it out already, will you?”
Burnett pursed his lips. When he turned to Carmel, his tone shifted, suddenly respectful. “Mr. Howard, hello. I’m the executive secretary for Vaughn Enterprises. Our HR department has tried to reach you several times but couldn’t get through. I’m glad to finally meet you today. I wonder if you might be interested in-”
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