The Breeding Deal: Brother-in-law's Forbidden Offer - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Afraid

When visiting hours ended, Christine left the hospital room. Victor and his two sons had already left.

Just as she feared, they hadn’t come to see Ethan. Christine returned home with growing anxiety. These people were truly calculating – using the medical checkup as an excuse was the perfect ploy to deceive Rebecca.

She couldn’t refuse the checkup now. Doing so would only confirm she had something to hide. Even if she managed to avoid it this time, Victor and his sons would keep planting doubts in Rebecca’s mind.

If Rebecca became suspicious and confronted her, everything would unravel.

She had to go through with it, but how could she handle the examination?

What could she do to keep up the deception right under Victor and Rebecca’s noses?

Rachel had helped her with the pregnancy report. But she worked at a public hospital, and Victor had arranged for a private clinic. Rachel couldn’t help her there.

Unless… Adrian could help.

Adrian was in Tokyo on business. Christine calculated the time – he’d left at 11:30 last night, and it took at least 8 hours to reach Tokyo. With the round trip, he couldn’t possibly be back in N City tomorrow.

Not wanting to interfere with Adrian’s work, she eventually went to her bedroom after much deliberation. She locked the door, dug out James Cooper’s business card from last time, and dialed the number.

When the call connected, Christine could hear speeches from what seemed like a conference, scattered discussions, and the rustling of papers.

Then came James’s whispered voice: “Hello, who is this?”

“…Hey James, it’s Christine. Is this a bad time?”

After saying this, Christine found herself stuck for words.

She didn’t know how to ask for help. James might not know the details of her arrangement with Adrian. To him, she might just seem like a crazy woman who dared to sleep with her husband’s brother.

With that thought, she quickly said into the phone: “Never mind, you’re busy. I was just checking something.”

Before James could respond, she hung up.

​​On the other end of the line, James thought for a moment and saved Christine’s number.

He had arrived in Tokyo with Adrian this morning. The Pacific Art Market Leadership Summit only invited executives from companies worth over a billion dollars. Everyone present was either wealthy or from old money. The organizers particularly valued Adrian’s attendance, arranging him a seat in the VIP section.

At that moment, Adrian sat in his leather chair, wearing a tailored suit. His long fingers rested casually on the armrest, creating an invisible boundary that few dared to cross. His gray eyes fixed on the podium, deep in thought.

When the host finished speaking, James leaned toward Adrian and whispered, “Boss, Mrs. Christine just called. She seemed to need your help with something.”

Adrian narrowed his eyes, picked up his phone on desk, and checked his messages and call history. There was no record from Christine.

He didn’t speak, just raised an eyebrow and gave James a sharp look.

James immediately realized his mistake and quickly handed Adrian his phone, explaining in a low voice, “Mrs. Christine said she knew you were busy and didn’t want to disturb you, so she called me instead. I had given her my card earlier, telling her she could contact me if she needed anything.”

Someone might think Adrian was jealous, but James knew better – Adrian hated when people weren’t direct about asking for favors.

Adrian took James’s phone, staring at Christine’s call record.

…12 seconds.

The last time she had asked him for something, it was to give her a child to save his brother – her husband.

What would she ask of him this time?

Since founding his company, countless people had asked Adrian for favors – men and women, from various countries and backgrounds. Christine wasn’t the first, and she wouldn’t be the last.

If you’re asking for a favor, you need to show proper sincerity.

By dinner time, James hadn’t called back, and Christine hesitated to try again.

Truth be told, besides not wanting to interrupt Adrian’s work, she was reluctant to interact more with this man – his cold stares, indifferent tone, and the rough way he had used her.

Having no choice, Christine called Rachel and explained about tomorrow’s checkup. She was indeed her best friend, immediately offering to take the day off to accompany her – partly out of concern, and partly because having a doctor present might help navigate the situation.

Grateful, Christine thanked her repeatedly. Slightly relieved, she went to take a shower. Just as she had undressed and applied body wash, her phone rang.

She thought it was Rachel, perhaps with more questions or information.

Christine wrapped herself in a towel. Catching a glimpse of her naked body in the mirror, a thought suddenly hooked her mind – could it be Adrian?

She hurriedly secured the towel and rushed to her bedside table, her steps anxious. Looking at her phone, the screen showed: Adrian Blackwood.

Her hands trembled slightly as she steadied herself and answered.

“…”

The other end was silent, but Christine knew it was Adrian’s breathing.

She could hear footsteps on marble, like an elegant metronome, and faint piano music in the background.

The summit had lasted all afternoon. Knowing Adrian’s love for coffee, the organizers had arranged for him to visit the legendary barista Shuichi Takiguchi’s private studio afterward.

The master’s studio usually required booking a year in advance and only accepted ten clients annually. To show their respect for Adrian, the Japanese Foreign Ministry had contacted the master directly. Who would have thought this prestigious master would personally grind coffee beans for Adrian – an honor he bestowed upon very few.

Leaving the studio with half an hour before dinner, Adrian called Christine.

He was waiting for her to speak.

Afraid of trying his patience, Christine quickly explained: “Today your uncle Victor came to the hospital with your brothers to see Ethan. They want to take me and Rebecca to their hospital tomorrow morning for another pregnancy checkup. I’m… worried they’ll find out.”

Adrian didn’t respond; only static filled the line. After a moment, Christine couldn’t help asking: “Adrian, are you listening?”

“Are you afraid of me?” Adrian suddenly asked.

Christine hadn’t expected this question. Caught off guard and unable to lie to him, she answered honestly.

“…A little.”