Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 75: Chapter 75

When Elara heard the first part, she almost wanted to explain that Alex was her friend now, and any romantic feelings she had were long gone.
He was about to get engaged, after all. Elara had more self-respect than to lower herself like that.
Earlier, Elara had had Adrian put Nancy in her place simply because Nancy was insufferable, not because of Alex.
But when Elara heard the second half, she could smell jealousy in the air. Her glistening eyes met Adrian's deep gaze, and she flashed a teasing smile.
"Adrian, you're busted. You're jealous. You've fallen for me, haven't you?" she said.
Adrian's deep eyes trembled imperceptibly, soft-hearted but sharp-tongued as ever. "There you go again, thinking the world revolves around you."
Elara teased, "Adrian, why do you always have to act so tough? Is it really that hard or that embarrassing for you to admit you like me?"
Adrian retorted, "Don't flatter yourself."
Elara saw he was still being stubborn and said, "Oh, so I was just imagining things? Then why did you boldly call me your girlfriend earlier, throwing caution to the wind?"
Adrian shrugged with a smirk. "What's the big deal? It's just a girlfriend."
"Didn't we agree last time—no feelings, no going public? Now you're out here calling me your girlfriend. What if word gets back to your fiancée?" Elara asked.
Adrian paused for a beat, then flashed a teasing smile. "You keep bringing up my fiancée. What's the deal? Getting possessive? Or just jealous?"
Adrian's question caught Elara off guard, leaving her tongue-tied.
'Why does this guy have to play mind games even in relationships? Must be that lawyer's habit of always needing to win,' Elara wondered.
Elara looked at him. "Adrian, do you always have to play mind games? However, sincerity matters most in relationships, not constantly trying to outdo each other.
"That mindset only ends up hurting people. Is winning truly everything? Must every interaction become a competition? If winning makes you happy, fine, I'll let you win."
'He's been doing really well today. Might as well say something to please him,' Elara wondered.
Elara nodded. "Adrian, I'll admit it. I'm burning with jealousy over you and Josie.
"But I know you're engaged to her, and we're worlds apart. I've never crossed the line with you, and getting close wasn't about climbing the social ladder. I just wanted to help Susan and Dylan. That's all."
She continued, "You love mind games, but I value sincerity. You can keep up this push and pull, but I'm laying my heart bare for you to see.
"So, Adrian, while I haven't fallen for you yet, don't provoke me. I can be quite a handful when I want to be."
When the deep kiss descended, Elara felt her feet leaving the ground. Adrian had lifted her and set her on the storage counter in the cubicle, her lips captured in an intimate dance with his.
This time, there was no vengeful biting, no suffocating plunder. The kiss was intense, yet devoid of any lust.
It was also the first time Elara allowed herself to truly feel his kiss. In the past, she would always keep her eyes shut, lips pressed tight, frowning as she endured.
Now, though she didn't respond, she no longer resisted as fiercely as before.
Adrian's warm hand slid over the thin fabric at her waist, his gentle squeeze making Elara feel as if her whole body were melting.
At first, Adrian managed to restrain himself, but it only lasted a few minutes. His hand slid down from her waist, tracing the curve of her knee, then slipped beneath the hem of her dress, ready to venture further.
Elara jolted back to her senses and quickly grabbed his wandering hand. "Adrian, don't play dirty."
Adrian's breathing was already ragged as he urged impatiently, "Didn't we agree to return the favor? Well, consider this the first installment of my repayment, starting tonight."
Elara firmly refused, "I said it's my call when, and right now, I'm not in the mood."
Adrian's burning lips trailed from her earlobe down to her neck, desperately trying to ignite a spark within her. But Elara remained untouched. His passion simply didn't reach her.
Adrian couldn't hide his disappointment. "Why not? Is it because you don't feel anything for me?"
'It's not that I don't have feelings. It's because I have way too many. Do you know how hard it is for me to hold back like this?' she wondered.
Elara closed her eyes briefly, suppressing the heat rising within her. "Let's save this for later. Consider it an IOU."
"Can't wait too long. I'm afraid the interest will accumulate," Adrian murmured, his hand already trailing up her thigh with unmistakable intentions to venture further.
"No interest charged," Elara retorted.
Adrian ignored her, his hand relentless in its advance. His fingers trailed upward from the sensitive curve of her thigh. The moment he touched her, Elara let out a breathy whimper.
Like a lion freed from its cage, Adrian lunged at her with primal hunger.
Elara didn't let him continue. She bit down hard on Adrian's Adam's apple, a deliberate punishment. Adrian winced in pain and stopped, the lust in his eyes fading a bit.
Elara shot him a sly look and teased, "Just helping you cool down."
With that, she hopped off the counter, pulled the man's suit jacket tighter around her shoulders, slipped out of the cubicle, and headed to the sink to freshen up.
Adrian didn't press the matter. He straightened his clothes, composed himself, and then stepped out of the cubicle.
After washing her face, Elara glanced at him. 'Hmph, he is back to being that perfectly composed, refined heir again,' she wondered.
A distinct bite mark she'd left was still visible on his Adam's apple. Adrian paid no heed and ushered Elara to join his friends.
Upon entering another private room, they were first greeted by a man around Adrian's age. Beside him sat a woman, and judging by their demeanor, they seemed to be a married couple.
"Took you long enough to pick up your girlfriend, huh?" the man teased, giving Elara a once-over before turning away.
'Girlfriend?' she wondered. Elara couldn't believe Adrian would actually tell that lie to his friends.
"Yeah, this is Elara Langton, Westbridge University grad, triple degree, total overachiever,' said Adrian.
Elara was stunned for a moment, wondering, 'Seriously? That's how you introduce someone?'
The man extended his hand courteously. "Hello, I'm Yann Kalmien from Kalmien Group in Marisiton. This is my wife, Sarah."
Elara froze for a brief moment, then composed herself with a polite smile. "Hello, Mr. Kalmien, Mrs. Kalmien."
Sarah immediately noticed the bite mark on Adrian's Adam's apple and saw Elara wearing his suit jacket. With a knowing look, she said, "Adrian always has great taste in girlfriends. Elara, right? We're all friends now, so just call me Sarah."
Elara responded with a polite smile and nod.
The four took their seats as dishes were served one after another. Adrian casually ordered another bottle of wine, a 260-thousand-dollar vintage.
Yann said, "Adrian, I lost the bet, fair and square. That place in Silvertree Bay, Marisiton, right? It's yours now."
Adrian raised his glass with a grin, clinked it against Yann's, took a sip, and said, "Well, I won't say no to that."
Elara remained oblivious to the fact that their bet involved her, simply focusing on her meal.
Sarah raised her glass to toast Adrian with a teasing smile. "So, shouldn't half of this house go to Elara? Let's be honest. Without her, would you have even won that bet?"
Elara looked up at Sarah when she heard her name mentioned.
"Elara, you have no idea," Sarah explained with a smile. "Adrian's been single for years, so my husband made a bet with him. If he found a girlfriend this year, he'd get to pick any property he wanted in Marisiton."
'Wait a minute,' Elara thought, puzzled. 'Doesn't Adrian already have a fiancée, at least publicly? So why would his friends make this kind of bet with him?'
Adrian turned to Elara with a casual shrug. "Well then, it's yours," he said. After all, it was just a bet prize, and it was not like he was short on properties.
Elara quickly waved her hands. "No." She thought, 'I haven't done anything to deserve this. How could I possibly accept it?'
Sarah tried to persuade her, "Elara, if Adrian's offering, just take it. For a girl, there's no harm in securing some advantages while you're still young."
It sounded like Sarah had my best interests at heart, but there was just something off about it. Elara felt that her words were a bit harsh.
Elara politely declined. "Thank you, but that's not necessary. My parents have already left me their property. Besides, that house is in Marisiton, but I mostly live in Veritasiton, so I really wouldn't have any use for it."
Adrian took a sip of his wine and, with a teasing smile, said, "I've got plenty of properties in Veritasiton too. If you don't like the one in Marisiton, why don't I take you to pick one out there sometime?"
Elara gave an awkward laugh and said, "Really, that's way too much."
"Elara, don't be naive. If Adrian wants to give you something, just take it. If he can transfer the deed to your name, let him do it now.
"Once he turns thirty and gets married, it'll be much harder for you to get anything from him," said Sarah.
Elara was completely lost, wondering, 'Thirty? Married?'
Adrian couldn't help but notice Elara was momentarily stunned, clearly thrown off by Sarah's words.
Elara blurted out, "What do you mean?"
"Wait? You really didn't know? Adrian..." Sarah's voice trailed off.