Receiving Adrian Davies' cold gaze, Malcom Moore awkwardly rubbed his nose, putting away his smile, "Yeah, there are such rumors, but who can be blamed for that? Isn't it because you don't let women touch you!"
Adrian frowned, his face dark. What direct connection does not letting women touch him have with him being incapable?
Seeming to understand Adrian's thoughts, Malcom continued to explain his doubts, "Because you don't let women touch you, not even your fiancée. So, three years ago, your fiancée tried every possible way to cure you. She almost visited all the famous doctors in River City. But the result? You still couldn't touch her. So, now the entire River City knows that while you, Young Master Davies, may have immense wealth, you suffer from an incurable hidden ailment."
Ava Parker! So it was her!
Adrian Davies' face turned even darker. He finally understood why Melody Parker, who had just returned to the country, would insistently say he wasn't capable anymore.
…
The two chatted casually while drinking.
It wasn't until the moon was high in the sky, late at night, that Adrian Davies left CC Pub.
Back at the villa, Adrian didn't rest immediately.
After washing off the smell of alcohol, Adrian went to the study, turned on the screen, and began reviewing this quarter's outdoor advertisements.
He wanted to see if the woman who dared to provoke him really had the professional quality she claimed and whether she truly had solid skill and capability.
The screen started playing, and melodious music began to play.
Melody Parker, as beautiful as a celestial being, dancing gracefully, her skin like smooth jade, entered deep into Adrian's eyes.
The girl in the video was smiling, her smile more brilliant than flowers, more radiant than the cosmos, so dazzling, so captivating.
She wore the full set of "Dreams of Love" jewelry, not at all gaudy but adding to her elegance and luxury. She danced lightly, her silvery laugh melodious and pleasant.
Colorful butterflies fluttered, surrounding her, dancing gracefully with her movements.
The jewelry set, themed "Dreams of Love", was worn on her delicate, fair ears, on her slender swan-like neck, and on her soft, boneless wrist.
Adrian's gaze lingered on Melody Parker's fair, soft hands.
In the office, it was these fair and tender hands that continuously wiped the coffee stains from his suit pants.
Adrian stared intently at the fair hands on the screen, imagining those hands wiping his suit pants, touching near his thigh, bringing that sensation.
Unknowingly, a surge of heat rose, shooting straight to Adrian's abdomen.
Just the thought of it, and he had quite the reaction below.
Adrian: "..."
He looked down, finally shutting off the screen, and once more, walked into the bathroom.
Adrian took a cold shower, reducing the heat from his body, then came out of the bathroom.
The phone rang, and Adrian walked over to pick it up.
Seeing the caller ID, Adrian frowned with displeasure. Just as the ringing was about to end automatically, he reluctantly picked it up.
"Adrian!"
As soon as the call connected, Ava Parker's gentle voice came through.
So late, this woman actually called!
Adrian didn't speak.
Ava continued, "Adrian, what were you busy with just now? I called you several times, why did you just answer now?"
"Nothing." Adrian wiped the dripping water from his short hair, impatiently asking, "What's up?"
Seeing that Adrian didn't want to say more, Ava tactfully didn't ask further.
However, her words carried a hint of cautious inquiry, "Adrian, I'm returning to River City the day after tomorrow. Can you pick me up at the airport?"
Adrian: "I'm busy, have Tyler Dormer pick you up."
"Oh, alright then!" Ava felt discontented but dared not express it.
She simply stretched her voice, speaking unwillingly, "Then see you the day after tomorrow."
"Send your flight information to Tyler. If there's nothing else, let's leave it at that." Adrian spoke coldly, ending the call abruptly, not caring whether Ava still had something to say.
For four long years, from the first glance at Ava Parker, Adrian had clearly known that Ava was no different from other women in his eyes.
She equally made him loathe, equally provoked his irritability.
Over the years, Adrian's treatment of Ava was no different than with other women.
Equally prohibiting her from getting close to him.
However, she was still Daniel's mom.
Even if he disliked or loathed her, he still granted her the title of fiancée, allowing her to enjoy all the glory, status, and honor his fiancée brought.
He didn't know what spell he was under that night, which made him really touch that woman.
Thinking back, he even felt disgusted with himself.
Maybe it was the different environment. He gave himself such a reason.
But marrying her, he never contemplated the idea.
He never cared about outsiders' opinions; whether to marry was never important to him.
The only woman who made him consider marriage was the one from five years ago, not Ava Parker from later and now.
For the sake of Daniel, he granted her the status of fiancée.
But any further progress was almost impossible in this lifetime.
…
After hanging up, Adrian turned off his phone and went to sleep.
But lying on the comfortable, soft bed, when he closed his eyes, Melody Parker's bright smile and delicate face from the video once again appeared in his mind.
27 years, he had lived for a full 27 years.
Except for that one time five years ago, where he entertained such thoughts, he never had thoughts like that towards any woman again.
But today, just watching Melody Parker's outdoor video, he had such a strong physiological reaction.
That was something he had never expected.
Could it be that ever since he broke the taboo five years ago, he had been restraining too long?
Or was it really as Malcom Moore said, that he lacked a woman by his side?
He closed his eyes, no longer thinking about those things.
The next day, at Davies Clan Advertising Department.
Boris Castle contacted Melody Parker to begin a new round of shooting.
This time, the shooting location wasn't outdoors but was selected to be a hotel room.
The presidential suite at the top of Imperial Grand Hotel was used for this shoot.
Melody Parker, in a white gauze dress, adorned with jewelry themed "Dreams of Love".
She sat quietly there, like a bride, happily waiting for her groom.
…
The full shoot was completed.
Boris was very satisfied with the shooting effect and immediately started the promotional activity.
However, as soon as this promotional activity started, it bombarded the entire River City...
River City Airport.
Ava Parker, who had been away from River City for a long time, finally returned.
Ava, with her big flame-red waves and fiery red lips, wore a tight-fitting purple gown, twisting her waist as she walked step by step out of the airport.
She didn't mind the indulgent gazes from around her at all, seemingly very pleased with it.
With her head held high and chest out, a faint smile on her face, she pushed her suitcase toward the waiting Tyler Dormer.