Their gazes met in midair, silently assessing each other.
Adam stepped forward, opening the door, his sharp eyes piercing through the lenses as they settled on Zuri's face. As he walked past her, a faint scent of mint wafted through the air.
This fragrance wasn't from any perfume but was rather pleasant.
He took a few more steps before stopping and turning around to look at her. "You have beautiful eyes."
Zuri was taken aback.
"If you're looking for that slightly disheveled couple, you might as well give up. They've already left the banquet. That man is no good," Adam warned.
Adam studied her eyes, finding an uncanny resemblance to his lost sister.
Anyone with such beautiful eyes shouldn't be involved with someone like that man.
"How did you know I was looking for them?"
"Besides us, they were the only ones on the second floor. I heard your footsteps when you reached the third room. You paused in front of each room for a few seconds, indicating you were searching for someone. Five minutes ago, a disheveled couple left. It wasn't hard to piece it together."
"Clap clap clap…"
Applause broke out.
"A genius indeed, with such keen ears."
He had heard her footsteps from the third room. That level of hearing was remarkable.
"It's a pity you became a doctor. If you joined the military, you'd be the top soldier," Zuri remarked absentmindedly.
Adam paused.
That sounded familiar!
Ten years ago, his father had said the same thing.
"Do you have family?"
The question surprised Adam, but then he smiled thinly. Perhaps he was still under the influence of seeing his mother earlier, leading him to imagine everyone as his sister.
Zuri smiled. "Of course."
But it was a family she didn't need.
Adam turned to leave but then looked back again. "Your eyes are truly beautiful."
"Thank you."
Being complimented twice in one day made Zuri a bit embarrassed. If his eyes hadn't been so clear and calm, she might have thought he had feelings for her.
As she watched him leave, a small smile curved her lips.
He was certainly interesting.
So this was the legendary genius doctor, different from what she had imagined. She had expected a bookish or scholarly type, not such a stoic and handsome man. Especially with his gold-rimmed glasses, he exuded an inexplicable allure.
Ling Tianxiao emerged from a room, his eyes widening with joy at the sight of the approaching man.
"Dr. Adam, you're here!" Ling Tianxiao greeted him excitedly.
"Where's Mr. Ling?"
"My father is inside."
Ling Tianxiao opened the door, leading him in.
Inside, reactions varied from confusion to joy as they saw Adam. Ling Tianxiao's stern face broke into a smile. "Dr. Feng, long time no see."
The younger generation in the room stared, amazed. The man who looked like a movie star was actually the renowned genius doctor. It was almost unbelievable.
"I'll examine Mr. Ling first. Please step out for a moment," Adam requested.
The Ling family complied, leaving the room.
As soon as they exited, news of Adam's arrival quickly spread to the banquet hall.
"Holy! Adam is really here?" Azura asked excitedly.
"The second house of the Ling family confirmed it. He's upstairs examining Mr. Ling," Farida whispered.
"When he comes down, we'll see if he's really as handsome as they say, and if he can match my Owen," Azura said.
"Come on! Owen's good looks are top-tier in the entertainment world, but Adam's success is based on skill, not looks," Farida countered.
"My Owen is skilled too," Azura argued, defending her idol.
Farida rolled her eyes and stopped talking.
Ten minutes later, Adam handed a card and a bottle of medicine to Ling Tianxiao. "Mr. Ling's health is relatively good. Take care of him, and he should be with you for a few more years. If his condition worsens, give him one pill. Remember, only in critical situations."
"This card belongs to that person."
If it weren't for that person's request, Adam wouldn't have wasted his time here. This favor was now repaid.
Having explained everything, Adam prepared to leave.
Ling Tianxiao quickly intervened. "Dr. Feng, please have some fruit and snacks downstairs before you go."
The esteemed guests were waiting for him. He couldn't just leave.
"No, thank you. I prefer quiet environments."
Adam left without looking back.
Colin approached his father. "Dad, are you just going to let him leave?"
Ling Tianxiao sighed. "What else can we do? We can't force him to stay. He's not someone we can afford to offend."
The only reason he visited was because of that person's request. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come at all.
"What about the guests downstairs?" Colin asked.
"There's nothing we can do. He's gone."
Downstairs, the guests continued to wait, unaware that the person they were anticipating had already left.
When Zuri returned, she overheard Farida and Azura talking excitedly about Adam.
"Zuri, you're just in time. Adam is upstairs examining Mr. Ling. He's supposed to come down after. I'm so excited," Azura gushed.
Farida laughed. "You're such a looks fanatic."
"I love good looks, and I'm proud of it," Azura replied, her chin lifted proudly.
Zuri couldn't help but say, "Don't get your hopes up. He might not come."
Farida and Azura both stared at her.
"How do you know he won't come?"
"Just a feeling."
Although she had only met him once, she sensed his aversion to the noisy banquet. If not, he wouldn't have slipped in quietly and gone straight to the second floor.
"I think he'll come," Azura said with a smile.
"By the way, Lila saw Rhea and Miles leaving together. I heard Miles is a playboy who changes women like clothes."
"She's throwing herself away," Azura said disdainfully.
Zuri took a sip of tea, maintaining a calm demeanor while a tempest brewed beneath her composed surface.
Meanwhile, Rhea felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as she settled into the luxury car. The man beside her, though older and average-looking, displayed a gentlemanly charm that she found appealing.
"Where do you live?" he asked.
"I... I..." Rhea hesitated to reveal her home address.
Miles, sensing her reluctance, suggested, "Why not come to my place instead?"
"Okay," Rhea agreed, nodding.
Later, in the bathroom, Rhea wrapped herself in a towel and emerged, shyly lowering her gaze when she met Miles's eyes. He looked at the naive and obedient young lamb before him, feeling a tingling in his hands.
"Get some rest. See you tomorrow," he said, leaving her surprised.
Rhea stood there, stunned by the closed door. Did he really just leave like that? Was she not attractive enough for him? She spiraled into self-doubt but soon reassured herself. If he didn't like her, he wouldn't have brought her home. She concluded that Miles was a gentleman, a good person.
In his study, Miles watched the delicate young woman on the screen, feeling an increasing urge. He toyed with her ID card, noting her address in a slum on the outskirts. Despite the temptation, he decided to be cautious and ordered his men to investigate how she got into the party and who she was connected to.
Over the next two days, Rhea stayed at Miles's villa, half-heartedly resisting. She enjoyed the pampered life she had always dreamed of, where everything was done for her.
Miles watched her run in the yard, his hands itching with anticipation. She called to him, inviting him to join her, but he was interrupted by a phone call. He waved her off and answered it.
"Mr. Cheng, we've discovered that the invitation was given to her by Miss Lin. They used to be good friends," the voice on the phone reported.
"Good friends?!" Miles frowned.
"If this woman has ties to Zuri, we'll have to let her go."
"They used to be friends, but not anymore. Recently, she framed Miss Lin on behalf of the Liu family. Their relationship is strained. She begged for the invitation. Her family is poor; her father is bedridden and near death, and her brother is a drifter. It's safe to proceed."
Miles's face lit up with a cold smile as he looked at the little lamb not far away. Finally, he could indulge himself.
He spent the afternoon with Rhea, who was delighted by his company, unaware of his true intentions. As night fell, she was led to a large bathroom. The maid left, locking the door behind her, startling Rhea.
"Mr. Cheng, where are you?" she called out, looking at the massive bathtub.
Miles emerged from the shadows and grabbed her from behind.
"Ahhh!"
Rhea screamed in terror.
"It's me, Rhea," Miles whispered in her ear.
She struggled at first but quickly relaxed. She knew this day would come.
"Darling, I really like you. I liked you from the moment I saw you. Will you stay with me?" Miles's confession caught her off guard, making her both nervous and happy.
She had been waiting for this moment. To keep her current lifestyle, she needed to stay with him officially.
"Yes," she replied without hesitation.
Miles smiled. "Rhea, I will take good care of you. Will you always stay by my side?"
"Yes."
"Rhea is such a good girl. I want you to do something for me. Will you?"
"What is it?"
"Promise me first," he said with a pampered smile.
Rhea felt a pang of fear at his look, like a predator eyeing its prey. But she dismissed it as a misunderstanding. Cheng was a gentleman, not a monster.
"I promise. What do you want me to do?" she asked, trying to be coquettish.
"I want to watch you take a bath," he said with an exasperated yet indulgent tone.
Rhea sighed with relief, thinking it was no big deal. If she was to be his woman, bathing in front of him was inevitable.
She freed herself from his embrace and walked to the bathtub, stepping in. Miles watched her intently, his smile growing increasingly sinister.
Rhea tried to seduce him, but when he didn't react, she got frustrated.
"Cheng, the tub is big enough for two. Want to join me?" she invited, blushing.
Miles softly said, "Alright."
He moved towards her, and in her nervous anticipation, she didn't realize she was inviting a demon.
"Ahhh!"
Her scream echoed through the quiet villa.
"Please let me go. If I don't return, my family will come looking, and your secret will be exposed. You don't want your reputation ruined, right?" she pleaded, trying to make him release her.
But her naivety was laughable. Someone like him wouldn't act without preparation. He was careful with each prey, ensuring nothing could go wrong, allowing him to continue his depraved lifestyle.
"Don't worry. Your father is near death, and your useless brother will think you ran away. No one will care."
Every word he said struck fear into Rhea.
"My good friend is Miss Lin," she desperately tried to leverage Zuri's name.
"Please let me go. I won't say a word. I promise," she begged.
Miles laughed, pulling her hair painfully. "I know all about your relationship with Miss Lin. Behave, make me happy, and maybe I'll let you go," he mocked.
Rhea realized she had invited the devil himself.
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