?<strong>Chapter 482:</strong>


    Even Aurora sensed that something was wrong and offered, “Dad, why don’t you take me along?”


    Bringing a child to social gatherings ensured that no one couldplicate matters for Adrian.


    Nevertheless, Stephen consistently chose the evening hours to stir up trouble, while Aurora needed her rest. “Thank you, Aurora, but there’s no need. Just go to bed, and I promise I won’t leave,” Adrian reassured her. Aurora climbed onto the sofa, swinging her legs. “But Mom will feel bad. We have to fix this problem, don’t we?”


    Despite Aurora’s rational argument, Adrian stood firm in his decision.


    However, he couldn’t turn down every invitation indefinitely.


    The following evening, Adrian had no choice but to venture out. Stephen had extended a personal invitation, iming he wanted to discuss matters regarding Adrian’s parents. Adrian suspected that declining would only lead to multiple follow-up attempts. It was better to handle the situation once and for all.


    As Adrian prepared to leave, Aurora, already dressed in her pajamas, ran over and wrapped her arms around his leg. “Dad, I want toe with you!”


    “Be good, Aurora.”


    Joelle had just finished her bath and was getting ready to tuck Aurora into bed.


    She gave Adrian a meaningful nce. He looked particrly dashing in his suit.


    Being excessively handsome wasn’t always a blessing—it often led to troublesome romantic entanglements.


    “Come on, Aurora, let’s go to bed,” Joelle urged.


    Adrian stepped into the cool night air.


    Just twenty minutes ago, he had been in the warmth of his home, surrounded by his family. Now, while they rested peacefully, he was headed to a nocturnal meeting with a cantankerous old man.


    Fuming with frustration, Adrian arrived at the hotel.


    As soon as he stepped inside, a burst of confetti filled the air, showering the room in a riot of colors.


    Stephen stood on stage, grinning. “Wee, my future grandson-inw!”


    Only then did Adrian realize that the attendees were all distinguished gentlemen, likely longtime acquaintances of Stephen.


    Adrian was the only young person in the room. However, from the second floor, the melodic sound of a piano drifted through the air, presumably yed by M. Adrian understood that Stephen had cleverly orchestrated the situation, hoping to make the elderly gentlemen believe he and M were romantically involved.


    “Are you M’s boyfriend?”


    A group of elderly men surrounded Adrian, bombarding him with questions about his personal life.


    “How old are you?”


    “How long have you been romantically involved with M?”


    “This young man is undeniably impressive, but why does he seem so familiar?”


    They examined Adrian with the intensity of avid readers scanning thetest news or art collectors appraising a rare masterpiece.


    “Move along; give him some space!” Stephen pushed through the crowd to stand beside Adrian.


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