Chapter 7

Only Eloise Rhodes and Adrian Thorpe were left in the car. The atmosphere became awkward instantly. Adrian Thorpe glanced around, leaned in slightly, and said in a seductive tone, “Young Master Long, don’t you think I’m much prettier than my older sister, and more charming as well? I’d be a much better match for you.”

In the past, all those boyfriends that my older sister brought home, she ended up getting them all for herself, didn’t she? She just doesn’t believe that Eloise Rhodes will be an exception. Besides, who in whole City A doesn’t know that the women Eloise Rhodes has been with are all more beautiful than the last? She’s prettier than Selina Thorpe, and more savvy as well. There’s no reason for Eloise Rhodes not to choose her.

She wasn’t saying that Serena Thorp was bad in any way. It’s just that Serena Thorp was too ordinary—plain-looking and uninteresting. Standing next to her, one could clearly see the huge difference between them. A wealthy man like Elliott Rhodes deserved a woman like her.

Eloise Rhodes glanced at her sideways, her tone slightly teasing and somewhat distanced: “Every man knows better than a woman what kind of woman is right for him.”

Men like Adrian Thorp, who actively pursue women like Adriana Thorpe, he’d seen countless of them. He was completely tired of it by now. It wasn’t really him pursuing women—the women were the ones who did everything in their power to cling to him. In his eyes, Adrian Thorp’s tactics were childish and ridiculous.

“Spend more time with my second sister, and you’ll realize how boring she is.” Adrian Thorpe refused to give up, continuing to provoke him, his eyes full of confidence. “She doesn’t know how to be charming or act coquettishly. Being with her would be utterly dull. How could that compare to being with me?”

Eloise Rhodes’s expression darkened instantly, and her tone grew colder. She turned her head impatiently, staring out the window. For some reason, hearing Adrian Thorpe speak poorly of Selina Thorpe made her feel uncomfortable for no apparent reason.

Women spouting nonsense about each other had long since stopped bothering him. But whenever someone said something bad about Selina Thorpe, he felt an urge to hit them. If Adrian Thorpe had been a man, he would’ve already thrown a punch.

Silence fell in the car once again. Each of them was lost in their own thoughts, and no one spoke. It wasn’t until Selina Thorpe approached the car, holding a bottle of mineral water, that the awkwardness was broken.

Adrian Thorpe almost fainted when he saw the bottled water in Selina Thorpe’s hands in the car. He really wanted to declare right there and then that he didn’t know that stupid woman at all! Even an idiot knows that when a man takes a woman home and says he wants to drink tea or water, it’s just an excuse. In reality, he just wants to spend the night at her place.

Only her second sister, with her stupid mind, would actually go buy water and waste such a great opportunity!

Eloise Rhodes was also stunned when she saw the bottled water in Selina Thorpe’s hands. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She never expected that when Selina Thorpe asked her to wait, she was actually going to get her water.

He thought that Selena Thorne would either refuse outright or compromise and let him go upstairs. But he never expected this outcome. This woman always managed to surprise him.

Selena Thorp walked over to the car window, handed him the bottled water, and spoke in a polite tone, “Rhodes, here’s the water for you. Thank you for driving us home so late. It’s too late, and the upstairs area is a bit messy. I won’t invite you up. Please forgive me.”

Eloise Rhodes took the bottled water. His fingertips accidentally touched hers. The warm sensation made his heart tremble inexplicably. He looked down at the bottled water in his hands, then at Selina Thorpe, whose face showed sincere emotion. In some corner of his heart, everything suddenly became blurred.

Didn’t she want to marry a wealthy man? He was the richest man in City A, standing right in front of her, showing interest in her. Why wouldn’t she take the opportunity to attach herself to him? Could it be that her tactics were more cunning than he thought, some kind of “playful resistance” to entice him?

Adrian Thorp pushed open the car door and stormed out, giving Eloise Rhodes a look that said, “See? I told you she’s stupid.” What a chance wasted because of their older sister. She really had no way to complain about it.

Eloise Rhodes watched as Selena Thorp and Adrian Thorp entered the apartment building. She glanced at the bottle of mineral water in her hand, remained silent for a moment, then finally set the bottle aside. She started the car and drove away.

At the elevator, Adrian Thorpe could no longer hold back. He complained to Selina Thorpe, “Second sister, how can you be so stupid? Eloise Rhodes said she wanted to go upstairs for water. It’s obvious she’s interested in you. How don’t you understand? And you went and bought water instead. Have you lost your mind?”

“What’s wrong?” Selina Thorpe turned around, looking at her with a puzzled expression. “Do you mean I shouldn’t have refused him permission to go up?”

“What else could be the reason?” Adrian Thorpe was furious. “Even a blind person could see that he’s interested in you! The Rhodes family is the wealthiest in City A. Eloise Rhodes is the head of the Rhodes Corporation. If you’re with him, we won’t have to live in these crappy apartments anymore, and we won’t have to suffer anymore!”

Selena Thorne frowned and said seriously, “I don’t like that kind of person. I also don’t want you to get too close to him. He’s too promiscuous and lacks responsibility. Being with him will only lead to hurt.”

“What does it matter if I get hurt?” Adrian Thorpe said nonchalantly. “Even if we break up in the future, he’ll still pay me a huge breakup fee. Then I’ll still be able to live a good life. It’s definitely better than now, when I can’t even afford a piece of designer clothing!”

Selena Thorpe looked at her sister before her and suddenly felt utterly estranged from her. It seemed like she had never really known Adrian Thorpe at all. She didn’t know when it had happened, but her sister had become so utilitarian and ruthless in her methods.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but just then the elevator doors opened. She swallowed back all her words and anger, and stepped inside silently. This was the elevator entrance. She didn’t want her argument to disturb the neighbors who were already asleep.

“Second Sister!” Adrian Thorpe followed behind reluctantly, shouting loudly, “You can’t stop me from pursuing happiness just because you don’t want to get married! No matter how wonderful Eloise Rhodes is, I’m not going to give her up for you!”

“Don’t disturb the others. If you have something to say, wait until we get home.” Selena Thorp tried to control her temper, speaking in a low voice.

Adrian Thorpe wisely kept her mouth shut. She knew that Selina Thorpe was the only person who would take her in right now. If she really offended Selina Thorpe, she would have no choice but to wander the streets.

Over the years, she always tried to seduce the boyfriends that her older sister brought home. Her sister had long put her on a blacklist and would turn away whenever she saw her. But she never thought she was wrong. In every argument, she would claim that those men weren’t loving her sister enough, which was why she could easily win them over.

Upon returning home, as soon as Adrian Thorpe closed the door, he took out a business card from the small pocket of his evening suit. He waved it in front of Selina Thorpe and said proudly, “Sis, if you don’t like Eloise Rhodes, don’t try to stop me. This is her business card. I got it by exchanging your phone number. From now on, I’ll be the one to contact her.”

“Adrian Thorpe!” Selina Thorpe trembled with anger, her voice sharp. “A scumbag like Eloise Rhodes, who doesn’t treat women as human beings, is completely unsuitable for you—and for any woman at all! If you dare get too close to her, it will be you who gets hurt in the end!”

“I’m twenty-three now! I’m no longer a child!” Adrian Thorpe also lost his temper and yelled at Selina Thorpe, “You and my sister won’t get married in your lifetime. Don’t try to drag me along with you! I just want to live a good life. Is that a wrong thing to want?”

Selena Thorpe watched her sister’s hysterical behavior with feelings of exhaustion and helplessness. She knew that Adrian Thorpe wouldn’t listen to her advice anymore. But as an older sister, she couldn’t just stand by and watch her younger sister drift further and further into despair.

She had no idea that this argument between sisters would only make things more complicated later on. Meanwhile, Eloise Rhodes sat in the car, her mind constantly dwelling on the way Selina Thorpe handed her the water. Her doubts and unease grew stronger by the moment.