“That’s your father,” Andrew replied coldly.
“He’s still your elder. Andrew, don’t forget your blood ties with the Turner family,” Layla’s face slightly darkened.
“Blood ties don’t mean everything,” Andrew teased. “The only one who truly acted as my father figure was Joshua.”
Mentioning Joshua, Layla’s expression changed slightly. She adjusted her sleeves and tousled her long hair, casually saying, “I just saw Zoe, but now she’s gone off somewhere. I’ll go chat with her. You should go back and rest early.”
After Layla finished speaking, she twisted her waist and left.
Andrew put out his cigarette, rubbed his sore brow with two fingers, and faintly smiled.
Joshua and Layla were also tangled in some unresolved mess.
He stood on the terrace for a while, somewhat weary, and then went back inside.
Andrew’s room was also on the third floor, the largest room at the end of the left side, with an attached study and office space.
As he pushed open the door, a choking perfume scent permeated the air, annoying Andrew. His sense of smell was very acute.
Entering the room with long strides, everything seemed unchanged. But despite Andrew’s belongings appearing disordered, each item had its place, and some small things had obviously been touched by someone.
At the Turner family, no nosy servant dared to enter Andrew’s room casually.
He stood cold-faced in the center of the room. A slender arm snaked from behind and hugged his waist tightly.
“Andrew, you’re back,” a gentle female voice came from behind.
The overwhelming scent of perfume annoyed Andrew. He suppressed his anger and coldly moved away from the arms around his waist. Turning around, he saw Zoe, whom Layla had been looking for, unexpectedly in his room, still wearing a revealing silk nightgown.
“Don’t you know the basic courtesy of visiting someone’s house?” Andrew’s gaze was devoid of warmth as he stared at Zoe.
Zoe wanted to step forward and soften her posture, but she couldn’t gather the courage. After all, she was a noble daughter of the wolf clan, not like those shameless human women outside. Getting to this point was already her limit.
If it weren’t for the constant pressure from the Turner family and Green family, she wouldn’t have taken this step. Now, even her foster mother thought she was useless, unable to retain Andrew’s affection. Her position in the Green family was precarious.
Stiff as a statue, Zoe trembled slightly. Feeling helpless, Andrew threw a coat at her. “Get out. I won’t say it a second time.”
Holding the coat, Zoe hesitated for a moment, then turned and ran out.
Perhaps being a noblewoman was better in this aspect; at least, she still had some dignity left, unlike those women outside who persistently pestered others.
But Andrew was already tired of it.
He walked briskly to the window, opened it, letting the cold wind blow in incessantly. However, it didn’t dispel the lingering scent of perfume inside the room.
Feeling bored inside the room, he stood up from the sofa, picked up his suit jacket, and walked straight out.
He drove around most of the city but found nowhere to go. Finally, he parked the car by the roadside.
With one hand gripping the steering wheel, he habitually dialed Isabella’s number on his phone.
Isabella received the call while lazily lying in bed, already feeling a bit drowsy.
“Andrew, is something wrong calling at this late hour?”
“There is,” his low, crisp voice responded with a hint of gravity.
She blinked her long eyelashes, becoming a bit more awake. “What’s wrong?”
“I miss you,” Andrew said solemnly.
Isabella wrapped herself in the blanket, sitting up in bed, one hand holding the phone, the other supporting her chin, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Late at night, this man called just to say cheesy romantic lines? Well, at least he’s progressing; she thought he’d keep being mysterious forever.
“Miss you,” Andrew said again.
“…”
Wanting to drag her out for a date so late at night was a bit too much of a demand.
“And if I don’t show up?”
On the other end of the phone, Andrew tilted his head slightly, looking at the light above, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. “I’ll send you the address. I’ll be here. Isabella, don’t stand me up.”
After he finished speaking, the phone line was filled with a busy tone.
Isabella took the phone away from her ear, and a new message appeared in her inbox from Andrew.
“Still so bossy,” she sighed. She really wanted to just leave him alone on the street.
But her hand seemed to have a mind of its own. She threw off the covers, and her feet landed on the floor.
She changed into a coat, followed the address Andrew sent her, and hurriedly drove over.
Isabella’s car stopped by the side of the road, and on the steps, Andrew leaned against the lamppost, smoking with his head down, looking lonely, reminiscent of a homeless child.
After parking, she swiftly opened the car door, quickly approaching Andrew. Her first move was to snatch the cigarette he hadn’t finished, throwing it on the ground and stomping it out with her high heels.
“What’s so good about this thing? Can’t you quit smoking?” Isabella glared at him, annoyed.
After saying that, she received no response for a while. When she looked up, she found him deeply gazing at her.
The orange light shone from above, accentuating his facial features, making his eyes appear even more profound and three-dimensional. He was tall and well-built. Stretching out his arm, he effortlessly pulled her into his embrace.
He slightly lowered his head, locking eyes with her. The curve of Andrew’s lips was captivating. “If you want me to quit smoking, marry me. I’ll only listen to my wife.”
Their bodies were closely pressed together. Isabella’s cheeks blushed slightly. Lifting her foot, she forcefully stepped on his foot. “Nice try.”
She pushed him away, creating some distance between them. “Get in the car. I’ll take you home.”