The Jennings Family’s old residence. Thɪs chapter is updated by n0velfire.net On the TV screen in the living room, the news is broadcasting the latest events. "This afternoon, a serious traffic accident occurred in Cirrus County in our city. We now connect with our on-site reporter to understand the situation." "Good afternoon, viewers. It’s now 4:15 PM, and I am reporting from the provincial road in Cirrus County in our city. At 3:40 PM, citizens reported a severe traffic accident on this road. As you can see, a car crashed into the guardrail on the right side of the road, with the body severely damaged. The driver inside is critically injured and unconscious, and has been sent to the hospital for treatment." "Additionally, you can see that the guardrail on the left side further back was also hit by a vehicle, and from the marks, you can tell a car has crashed through the guardrail and fallen off a cliff. The rescue team is carrying out emergency rescue..." The elderly Mr. Jennings furrowed his brows, staring intently at the TV screen without blinking. "Grandpa, why did you come back?" Adrian Jennings walked in, casually tossing the car keys in his hand on the table. After a moment, the elderly Mr. Jennings cast a sharp glance at him, "This traffic accident isn’t that simple, is it? Was it Vincent Fletcher?" Adrian rubbed his temples, showing a hint of fatigue as he sat down by the sofa, "Yes." The elderly Mr. Jennings asked again, "I heard Shawn Rhodes fell accidentally from a building?" Adrian responded with a low voice, "Yes." The elderly Mr. Jennings’s brows were tightly knitted, and he stared at the news on the TV, lost in thought, creating a tense atmosphere. The servant brought over steaming tea, and Adrian took a cup, sipping lightly. "Adrian, you need to break up with that girl from The Rhodes Family." Adrian gently put down the tea cup, his dark eyes covered with a layer of shadow. He remained silent, not responding. The elderly Mr. Jennings sighed, speaking in a deep voice, "Your struggle with Vincent Fletcher shouldn’t involve The Rhodes Family. Since he can’t get to you, he’ll surely target the girl from The Rhodes Family." "Yes." Adrian responded absentmindedly. The elderly Mr. Jennings continued sincerely, "You only have a verbal engagement with Rhodes Family’s girl. Fortunately, you haven’t formally gotten engaged yet; it’s not that difficult to let go. A breakup can set clear boundaries. Compensate The Rhodes Family generously, and personally visit them another day to apologize. I’m sure they will understand." Not that difficult to let go? Adrian suddenly laughed, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. His voice was light, filled with fragility, "How could I let go?" Upon hearing this, the elderly Mr. Jennings was slightly taken aback, then sent a probing gaze over, "You actually have deep feelings for Talia?" The elderly Mr. Jennings didn’t know about Adrian’s feelings towards Talia; he thought it was just an ordinary political and business marriage. Adrian felt stifled in the chest, lowering his eyelashes without speaking. The elderly Mr. Jennings saw through his thoughts, sighing deeply, "You are a romantic fool. You are quite different from your father, indeed showing a trace of how I was back in the days." Suddenly, he changed his tone, "But... even if you can’t let go, you have to. You know the kind of person Vincent Fletcher is, having risen through the ranks as a gang leader in California, the most powerful region in Aridia for years. He has weapons and troops, and when he goes crazy, he can do anything. If the girl from The Rhodes Family continues with you, to put it plainly, she might even lose her life following you. You wouldn’t want a result like that, would you?" "Shawn Rhodes was lucky this time, saved eventually. If he hadn’t woken up this time, do you think the girl from The Rhodes Family could forgive you and The Jennings Family? This afternoon’s car accident was Fletcher’s welcoming gift for you, Adrian. If you love her, you have to protect her, and not let her get into harm’s way because of you." Adrian’s eyes reddened, feelings of bitterness pouring into his heart. He opened his mouth, wanting to refute, yet thinking of the terrifying moment on the road this afternoon. A bullet grazed Talia’s head; she almost got shot in the head right before his eyes. The words he wanted to say couldn’t come out anymore. Adrian fell silent for a long time. The elderly Mr. Jennings patiently advised, "Shawn Rhodes is a legitimate businessman. He’s not used to such violence. Even if you send bodyguards, it’s impossible to protect them all the time. You saw in this game between you and Vincent Fletcher, the first to get hurt is The Rhodes Family." Adrian’s deep black eyes were calm like a bottomless pit. His Adam’s apple rolled, eye rims turning crimson. "Grandpa, are you sure if I break up with Talia, Fletcher would believe it?" "That’s why you need to really break up, not pretend. The girl from The Rhodes Family is too naive to act. If you tell her about a fake breakup, she would surely reveal the truth. Adrian, end things cleanly and completely." Adrian’s eyes showed pain, "I once promised her never to do anything to hurt her." "This isn’t hurting her; it’s protecting her." "Grandpa, Fletcher targeted The Rhodes Family knowing that Talia is my weakness. I don’t believe he would trust that breaking up means I’ve drawn the line with Talia." The elderly Mr. Jennings shook his head, "No, he would believe it. Given your status as the young master of The Jennings Family and the sole heir of The Jennings Group, he would expect you not to be a faithful, devoted lover. People from your background are supposed to be flirtatious and romantic." Adrian let out a bitter laugh, "Grandpa, give me some time. I need to think it over." The elderly Mr. Jennings patted Adrian on the shoulder, speaking earnestly, "Adrian, I can wait, but The Rhodes Family cannot." Adrian closed his eyes briefly, chest heaving, as if trying hard to suppress something. "Ah, if you truly like the girl from The Rhodes Family..." The elderly Mr. Jennings patiently explained, "After handling Vincent Fletcher’s matter, you can win her back, can’t you?" Adrian’s voice rasped slightly, eyes filled with confusion, his whole demeanor desolate. It was the first time the elderly Mr. Jennings had seen such an expression on his face, "What if, by then, she no longer wants to be with me?" The elderly Mr. Jennings didn’t know how to answer. He understood Adrian’s feelings, but he couldn’t guarantee anything to him. People’s hearts can change in an instant; who can say for sure? Especially since this breakup is initiated by Adrian, the girl from The Rhodes Family has no reason to wait. He still wanted Adrian to end it completely; only then would the girl from The Rhodes Family lose hope, and Fletcher would be deceived. But if Adrian acted so ruthlessly, crushing the girl’s heart, why would she want to reconcile later? This was a problem without a solution. After some thought, the elderly Mr. Jennings spoke in a low voice, "Adrian, if you don’t want a real breakup, you need to explain to her and have her act with you. Of course, the premise is you must ensure she can perform well, without showing cracks and getting others to reveal the truth, causing harm or involving her family." Talia can’t hide her feelings in her heart. If she’s not entirely disheartened, every time she sees him, her eyes will betray her, and people will notice. "Weigh it well yourself." The elderly Mr. Jennings stood up, "I applied to return to Oakhaven this time just to cancel the engagement with The Rhodes Family. Think it over and give me an answer tomorrow. Tomorrow evening, I will accompany you to the hospital to apologize to Shawn Rhodes." Adrian looked down without a word, enveloped in melancholy sadness. Knowing Adrian needed some time to be alone, the elderly Mr. Jennings didn’t say more and turned upstairs. The hall was quietly cold, with closed doors and windows, not allowing any breeze to come through, making the air stifling and suffocating. Adrian tugged at his collar, feeling pinpricks of pain rising in his heart. The winter sunlight streamed through the glass window, casting a silhouette on the shiny floor.