Chapter 173

Alice was sitting in the bedroom, completely unaware of the car engine rumbling outside the villa. She was too focused on her call with Adam Harper. “Thanks again for helping out. I’d probably still be stuck with that mess if it weren’t for you.” Adam’s voice came through the line, calm and magnetic. “No need to be so polite. You’re my senior, we look out for each other.” “But I—” she began, only to have him cut in gently, “If you really feel bad, then just take me out for a meal sometime. I also have a little business proposal I wanted to chat with you about.” Just as she was about to say yes, a sudden chill crept up her spine, like a cold breeze had snuck into the room. She turned around—and locked eyes with Edward, whose frosty gaze made her pause mid-breath. He looked furious, and the sound of his leather shoes against the floor was almost unnervingly loud as he walked straight toward her. He stopped just behind her and said into the phone’s speaker, “Asking out a married woman for