Which pretty boy can be so self-assured around him? He should’ve been kicked out long ago! The tall and handsome man was wearing a proper suit and wool coat, yet he was awkwardly carrying a white canvas bag. It made him look just like a kept man carrying things for his sugar daddy. Eleanor asked, "Adrian Grant, did you not hear a word when I said I wanted a divorce?" Like a rogue, the man nodded calmly, "Yes." Eleanor almost lost her breath, suddenly recalling something, she frowned, "Adrian Grant, how did you know I was at school? Are you surveilling me?" "Your dean found me, hoping I’d retain you for a doctoral program at our school." Adrian claimed it wasn’t his special intention to find Eleanor, and that the school leadership had sought him out, so he came by. As for the real truth, only he knew. Adrian continued, "Your department will launch a joint doctoral program with Harvard University this year. The degree will be recognized by both schools, unprecedented in the country." In short, it’s exceptionally valuable. Eleanor simply responded with an "Oh," unwilling to communicate more with Adrian Grant about her thoughts. Adrian Grant was uncooperative about the divorce, and indeed he saved her in this kidnapping incident. Morally, Eleanor felt uneasy, so she treated him coldly. She didn’t believe Adrian Grant, someone so proud, could persist for long with warm feelings against cold treatment! Adrian drove a Phaeton sedan today, a very low-key car with the Volkswagen emblem. Once inside, Adrian glanced at Eleanor’s wrist and asked, "New bracelet?" Eleanor looked at the Sanskrit bead string on her left wrist, ignoring him. After a few seconds, she pulled the bead string under her sleeve to hide it. - She had nothing improper between her and Julian Jacobs, but Adrian Grant bore deep hostility toward Julian Jacobs, and Eleanor wanted to avoid complications. Adrian Grant had an exceptional memory, recalling the bracelet’s design in his mind; the material wasn’t luxurious and was uneven, very unique, but not like any branded craftsmanship. "Who gave it to you?" Adrian Grant thought this wasn’t Eleanor’s taste. A senior counts as a classmate; anyone from the same school is a classmate. Adrian Grant scoffed, commenting, "Two hands in total, and only one hand kept for a classmate." His tone was particularly sarcastic and inexplicable; Eleanor couldn’t help but retort: "I have two hands, if I wear something, I must keep one hand free! Or should I wear it on my feet?" The light turned red. Adrian Grant stopped the car and glanced at her ankle, instantly imagining Eleanor’s exquisite and beautiful ankles; porcelain-white skin, delicate ankle bones—if adorned with an anklet... resting on his lap, draped over his shoulder, surely stunning. Adrian Grant’s eyes subtly deepened. Upon entering the house, the living room was cluttered with numerous jewelry organizers and bags. Eleanor casually opened a few to look; they were items she had left at the Azurean Bay villa, gifts from Adrian Grant. "Gifted to you, so they’re yours." Adrian Grant placed her canvas bag on the sofa. Eleanor closed the jewelry boxes, "I don’t need them." "What do you need then?" Adrian Grant patiently queried, "You don’t like flowers, jewelry, or bags? Or is it—" He paused, his voice containing hidden danger: "You don’t like what I give?" Eleanor did like flowers, otherwise, she wouldn’t have the habit of placing fresh bouquets at home. She tilted her head, stared for several seconds, then suddenly asked, "Adrian Grant, are you trying to please me?" The room fell silent. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵 The man halted his action of pouring water, then resumed. The gurgling sound of water was the only sound indoors. Just when Eleanor thought he wouldn’t respond, or would even ridicule her for being presumptuous, the man finished pouring water and approached her. The handle of the mug was turned towards her by the man. Adrian Grant asked, "So, have I pleased you?" Eleanor happened to reach out to receive the mug, touching the handle. She couldn’t tell if the feeling was cold or hot. She lifted her eyes in surprise, meeting the man’s calm gaze. Those eyes were like an abyss, unfathomably deep, seemingly drawing one in. Eleanor returned to her study, sitting on her little tatami bed. Her ears still rang with Adrian Grant’s words: So, have I pleased you? So, have I pleased you? Compared to Adrian Grant’s actions, it was his admission that made her heart skip a beat. Eleanor shook her head, forcibly dispelling these messy thoughts, logged onto the internet, and searched—Zoe Nash. Sparse news reports and Instagram posts popped up, all marveling at Zoe Nash’s exceptional talent. After a while, Eleanor’s gaze landed on a recently published upcoming charity cruise event, the invitation displayed: [Special Guest: Violinist Zoe Nash] Eleanor called Blake Lockwood, "There’s a charity cruise event called MOON in Los Angeles on Friday, have you heard of it?" Blake immediately understood Eleanor’s intent, "You want to go? North American events typically attract businesspeople and politicians, not likely your invitation." Eleanor understood too; with the event only three days away, it was too late otherwise she could figure out a way to get an invitation herself. Blake said, "If you really want to go, you can ask Adrian Grant. With his status, getting an invitation last minute shouldn’t be a problem." Eleanor scowled, "No, I don’t want to talk to him much right now." Anyway, she would meet Zoe Nash eventually. Although thinking this way, imagining the cruise event left Eleanor restless. "Knock, knock, knock!" The study door was knocked from outside. Eleanor covered herself with a coat, got up, and opened the door, sure enough, it was Adrian Grant. The man didn’t speak but handed over a phone displaying precisely the photo of the MOON invitation, his gaze at Eleanor slightly enticing like luring prey. Eleanor stared at him in shock. "Did Blake tell you?" Eleanor quickly dismissed the thought; Blake wouldn’t do that, "Was it Trevor Hawthorne?" Adrian didn’t explain much, asking, "Still want to go?" "No." Eleanor reacted defensively. Adrian helplessly said, "Zia, it makes no sense to inconvenience yourself just to sulk with me, doesn’t it?"