The Breeding Deal: Brother-in-law's Forbidden Offer - Chapter 85

Chapter 85: How Will You

Christine’s tears stopped after a short while.

Partly because her sudden emotional outburst had run its course, and partly because she felt embarrassed – being in her twenties and crying like this in front of Adrian was mortifying.

Feeling awkward, she lowered her head and averted her eyes, trying to leave the car, avoiding his gaze.

But Adrian still held her chin firmly – his grip was too strong, and with just a slight force, he pulled her face back. There was no way Christine could break free.

With a congested voice, she met his eyes and said softly, “I want to get out.”

Adrian studied her face – hurt yet stubborn, trying to avoid him, with tear tracks drying on her flushed cheeks. The inexplicable irritation in his chest grew stronger.

He withdrew the handkerchief, his voice even colder: “I take back what I said.”

Christine froze for a few seconds: was this… his way of apologizing?

At first, she felt angry – who apologizes like that? It was almost asking for trouble. What kind of person thinks they can just take back words they’ve already said? And while still gripping her chin?

Christine almost laughed in frustration, thinking of the man who looked so much like Adrian. If it were Ethan, he would have already widened his puppy-dog eyes and said “Sorry, honey.”

But then she realized she couldn’t compare Adrian to Ethan.

First, Ethan was her husband, Adrian wasn’t. Second, she’d heard from Rebecca that when Adrian was a teenager, he’d been beaten with wooden sticks dozens of times, made to kneel, and starved – yet even after a whole month of that punishment, he never apologized.

He was now the CEO of a major company, even controlling the entire city. He probably rarely apologized to anyone in his life.

So maybe… for someone as cold and proud as him, saying “I take back what I said” was the most sincere apology he could offer.

Since someone like him had already conceded, there was no point in dwelling on those words anymore.

With this thought, Christine nodded, hastily wiping the tear stains from her face, and said: “I forgive…I don’t blame you anymore.”

Then she turned again, attempting to leave the car.

But she couldn’t move.

The man’s hand pulled her back again, his long fingers spread across her neck.

This was the second time today, and Christine felt afraid, sensing she wouldn’t be getting out of the car so easily.

His voice was deep, like a taut violin string slowly vibrating against her heart: “Is this why you’ve been avoiding me?”

“…”

Christine remained silent, thought for a moment, then nodded seriously.

She had run from home because she was angry, defying Adrian – why should she still do everything he said even after their transaction was over?

But honestly, she knew she should attend this dinner. Adrian had saved Oliver, that was undeniable.

Putting things in perspective, Christine composed herself, looked up again, and sincerely told Adrian: “But really, thank you for helping Oliver.”

Adrian didn’t seem appeased – he continued watching her through narrowed eyes, with an unreadable light in them. The next moment, she felt his warm fingertips trail along her neck, up and down, like a subtle electric current, ticklish and numbing. Though gentle, it held her like prey in his grasp.

“How will you thank me?” His voice was low but struck like thunder beside her ear.

Christine’s hair instantly stood on end.

Her body tensed as she instinctively retreated a few centimeters, trying to escape Adrian’s hold, but couldn’t escape his overwhelming presence. She swallowed and said slowly: “My parents and brother… made dinner to thank you.”

She instinctively knew this wasn’t the answer he wanted.

“That’s them.”

Sure enough, he pulled her closer, their faces uncommonly close now. Christine could feel his cool breath on her cheek and see his dizzying gray eyes fixed on her like a cheetah watching its prey.

He continued: “What about you?”

“I…”

The words of defense came to her lips but Christine swallowed them back.

She wanted to say she had already… but then remembered Adrian’s words, that “she would have to endure until he grew tired of her.” That night in the office, she had already surrendered control to him.

Even though their deal was over, if Adrian hadn’t called it off, she had no right to end it herself.

Christine found herself speechless.

She stood there with her mouth slightly open under Adrian’s grip, not knowing what to say.

How should she thank Adrian?

Fortunately, in the silent car, Christine’s phone rang.

Adrian released her chin, and she hurriedly lowered her head, fumbling through her bag for the phone: it was Patricia.

Christine answered, and her mother’s anxious voice came through: “Chrissy dear, how’s everything going? Is Adrian willing to come back? Do we need to prepare anything else?”

Christine quickly tried to reassure her mother: “We’ll be back-”

Before she could say “home,” the man who had been silently watching her take the call suddenly leaned down, grabbed her collar, and bit her lip.

He didn’t use force, the bite was brief and fleeting, so quick it didn’t make a sound.

His teeth were hard against her soft, warm lips.

Christine was caught off guard by his kiss, too stunned to react, staring blankly up at him while Patricia continued on the phone: “It’s fine, it’s fine, take your time, no rush, we’re just glad Adrian is willing to come!”

Christine sat frozen as Adrian released her and opened the Cadillac’s door, leaving her in her seat, unconsciously mumbling: “…Okay, we’ll be home soon.”

She hung up and looked out at the man outside the car.

He stood there as Daniel stepped forward to help him put on his suit jacket. From her angle inside the car, his figure was incredibly tall and well-proportioned, like the leading man in a TV drama, both dignified and elegant.

Yet his expression remained aloof and unapproachable – just a slight press of his lips seemed to command everyone’s submission.

He raised his left hand, and Daniel instinctively stepped forward to adjust his cufflinks, then his watch, ensuring everything was perfect before stepping aside to make way for James.

This was the man who – just seconds ago – had kissed her lips as lightly as a dragonfly skimming water.

Christine raised her hand, unconsciously touching her lips.

Her fingertips lingered with the undeniable scent of cedarwood that was uniquely his.