By that time, Adrian was out of his room. Amellia was sitting on the sofa while Cynthia walked around. His assistant was already out of sight. Adrian walked down to find James Cooper entering with his wife and Skye following behind.
Her clothes are still the same from earlier, a bit messed up. She must be out partying until her father gets the news. Skye's smile brightened seeing Adrian, his eyes twinkling in fun.
"Congrats, brother-in-law. You finally settled down. How cute. Congratulations, sister." Skye smirked, raising his arms and enveloping Adrian. "Make sure, you propose to her just the way she wanted. Be the ideal husband, won't you know." Skye whispered, leaning closer. Her voice was still ever so sweet and caring. The sisters were the same. They threaten with a voice sweeter than a nightingale.
Skye let go, the fake smile still there. Adrian politely smiled back, "Don't worry. I am not the most eligible bachelor for anything. Right, princess?" Adrian glanced back at Amellia who choked on her water at his words.
Skye looked back and forth at them. She was right, Eva wasn't in love. She was glaring not blushing. Her little sister was no longer the innocent she expected. Adrian must have made a deal, and she needs to know if it affects her or her business.
"Eva, I have a marriage gift for you. Come with me. It's a sweet surprise." Skye smiled, taking Eva out while Adrian watched them go. He could stop but he knew she wasn't going to blurt now. Whatever the reason might be, it wasn't love or some stupidity if it was she wouldn't have denied his advances. His leg can be witness to it.
"Adrian," James called him, signalling him to follow. Adrian didn't argue and followed, passing the corridor to a room located at the corner of the corridor. It was a small white door, with a portrait of Queen Emily, who was one of the most prosperous rulers.
The house was one of the last properties left in the lineage of the queen. After Queen Emily, the descendants were not great, most dabbling in gambling and women until they lost everything and took over other royals. Now this house was the last remaining of them.
James opened the door, which was a small office with walls painted in pastel blue. James opened a age- old whiskey, pouring two glasses.
"Ice?" James asked, as Adrian sat down on the leather couch, scanning the room.
"No need." Adrian denied. Wondering as his eyes fall on the antiques of the place. The place was a treasure.
"This was Queen Emily's favourite room. After the marriage, she and her husband made this estate the primary house." Jmaes remarked, glancing at the place.
"She was the first queen to refuse to take residence in a palace, especially Southam Palace."James continued sitting across Adrian and taking a sip.
"Her sister was ambushed in the forest of Southam Palace. I know. She believed the palace was where her soul resided." Adrian remarked, gulping his drink while James fathom the office.
"It was Eva's nursery. Her mother is the last member of Queen Emily. Hence, this estate was prepared as a dowry for Eva." James spoke with a smile of nostalgia. "The day Eva was born, I took one glance and realized, that Queen Emily had been reborn in the form of my daughter. Hence her middle name. She was just a baby till yesterday now she was already getting married. " James let out a sigh, turning his gaze away from Adrian as if any second he would break down crying.
"I know, everyone knows she is my dirty deed but it's nothing like that. She matters to me as much as Skye does. I never tell the world she is my daughter, but she is." James continued, filled with sobs.
Adrian remained quiet, listening to him. No one despises a man like James more than him. This was just a way to act like a victim after ruining his own family. He can never understand how a man like him sleeps in peace after destroying so many people's lives.
"Now tell me, Adrian. What's the motive of this marriage? It's a known fact you despise affairs and children born out of it." James' voice changed. His tone was strict and sharp as he stared straight at Adrian.
"Answer simple. I met her earlier. She is just perfect. I can't deny the lady of my dreams for one con. I can sacrifice a little, don't you think?" Adrian let out a polite smile.
"What do you want?" James didn't beat around the bush and directly asked.
"Keep the marriage private and find a way to make her legitimate like Skye."
"What nonsense! You want me to divorce my wife for you?" James thundered, his face crinkled up and redden in anger.
"No, I just want you to make my wife legitimate, not a bastard child." Adrian remained calm, his composure still the same as he took another sip before standing up to leave.
"You think scaring me works. I can tell the world your marriage and it will benefit me." James scoffed.
"And I can tell the world every little dirty secret that didn't end up as Eva. Stop relying on the women to make a name for yourself." Adrian walked out, without sparing any glance. Adrian knew James was just idiotic in the business world, without Skye the Coopers would have gone bankrupt long ago.
"Congrats on marriage, sister," Skye spoke once again outside afar from others.
"Thank you." Amellia nodded, waiting for the news Skye planned to drop on her.
"I guess you always liked taking my stuff." Skye continued, her ebony eyes twinkling in fun.
Amellia kept quiet, smiling, "Taking your stuff?"
"Adrian confessed to me recently. Don't you think I know that's the reason you're going after him?" Skye leaned closer. "If I knew you wanted him this much I wouldn't have rejected." Skye continued.