Meanwhile, after Eleanor stepped out of the hotel room, she waited for a long time, yet Adrian never came looking for her.

The realization struck her then that she had gotten out of line, prompting her to hurry back toward the room.

What she did not expect was that the moment she reached the door, unmistakable sounds of intimacy drifted from inside the room.

Fury flared instantly in Eleanor's eyes.

Adrian had always indulged her without restraint, yet he had never once slept with her.

It had not been for her lack of effort; she had gone out of her way to seduce him, only to be met with his cold indifference.

She had assumed that maybe his desires for intimacy were simply lukewarm, only to find him passionately having sex with Jessica now.

A sense of crisis she had never known before surged violently through Eleanor's chest.

Her fingers curled into a tight fist as a malicious idea appeared in her mind.

***

Jessica had no memory of when she had lost consciousness, but when awareness returned, she found herself already inside the Iris Mansion.

She lay alone on the bedroom bed; from the bathroom came the steady sound of running water, and she could see the faint outline of a figure inside.

Gathering her exhausted body, Jessica made her way downstairs, where breakfast had already been laid out by the servants.

She motioned the servants away, then poured coffee, juice, and milk, carefully setting the glasses at Adrian's usual spot.

Not long after, Adrian finished washing up and came downstairs, taking his seat at the dining table.

He reached for the coffee, and that single choice told Jessica he intended to head out once breakfast was over.

They ate without exchanging a word, and when they finished, Jessica went to get a fresh suit, preparing to assist him in changing.

Before she could move closer, Adrian turned his gaze on her and spoke in a low voice. "I'm going to the Buckley Estate today. You will accompany me."

Jessica froze for a brief moment, then gave a silent nod.

She then signed, "Should I wear something suitable for the occasion?"

Adrian caught the gesture, and as he studied her compliant expression, an irritation he could not explain stirred inside him.

Was that truly the only look she could offer him?

Had he married a wife, or some emotionless machine incapable of feeling?

This was utterly boring!

Jessica noticed his features harden at once and assumed she must have said something wrong. Panic flickered through her as she hastily began signing something, her movements growing more frantic by the second.

The flurry of complicated gestures only deepened Adrian's frustration since he could not make sense of them at all.

His gaze shifted away from her hands, his voice turning glacial as he said, "Wear whatever you want."

With that, he snatched the suit jacket from her hand and stormed out the door.

Not daring to let him wait for her for too long, Jessica rushed upstairs, slipped into a plain outfit without bothering with makeup, then hurried out after him.

By then, Adrian was already seated inside his black Rolls-Royce.

The rear door remained ajar, an unmistakable sign that it had been left open for Jessica.

Reclining against the seat, Adrian was resting, his eyes closed, his sharp profile softened by an uncharacteristic air of languid ease.

Steadying her breathing, Jessica climbed into the car without hesitation.

The vehicle glided smoothly toward the Buckley Estate, yet Jessica's mind wandered as she looked at the passing scenery outside the window.

Truth be told, she held little weight as Adrian's wife in the eyes of others.

That was because her marriage to Adrian had always been out of obligation rather than love.

Years ago, the Buckley Group had been framed and collapsed almost overnight.

On his deathbed, Keith Buckley had sent his eldest grandson, Adrian, to seek shelter with the Howard family, pledging that should the Buckley family ever rise again, a member of the Howards would become the wife of Adrian, heir to the Buckley family.

At the time, the Buckleys had set their sights on Eleanor, who was closer to Adrian.

The two appeared perfectly suited for each other.

And Adrian was genuinely fond of Eleanor, treating her with rare indulgence despite his normally reserved nature.

With Eleanor's agreement secured, the Howard family accepted the arrangement, planning to let Eleanor marry Adrian.

Yet the Buckley family failed to reclaim their former power for many years, and during that long period of time, Eleanor had a change of heart.

To her, a successor of a powerful family held far greater appeal than a man weighed down by a fallen lineage.

So, as soon as she graduated from university, she wasted no time getting together with a rich heir and marrying him.

Most people assumed the old arrangement would just be canceled like that, believing the Howard family had wronged Adrian.

Yet, contrary to every expectation, Adrian later single-handedly restored the Buckley family to its former glory and honored Keith's final wish by marrying a different daughter of the Howard couple.

Even so, Adrian likely harbored bitterness over Eleanor's betrayal which resulted in his marriage to a woman who could not speak, and that was why the union came without flowers, without rings, and without a ceremony; the Buckley family also never made any public acknowledgment of it.

In fact, many people were completely unaware that Adrian was married.

Jessica, though bearing the title of Adrian's wife, was nothing more than collateral damage in the tangled affairs between Adrian and Eleanor.

By the time the car pulled into the Buckley Estate, the clock had already edged past eleven in the morning.

It was nearly lunchtime, and the Buckley family had gathered in the dining room, voices overlapping with laughter and conversation.

Adrian guided Jessica inside and called out casually, "Mom."

Cheryl Buckley, Adrian's mother, had been mid-conversation with a relative. Hearing her son's voice, she turned with a smile and began, "Adrian, you're back—"

The smile faltered the instant her eyes landed on Jessica standing behind Adrian, her tone cooling as she said, "It's good that you've returned, but why bring a burden like her here?"

At Cheryl's sharp comment, the lively atmosphere in the room vanished, laughter dying as silence spread across the dining room.

Members of the Buckley family glanced between Cheryl and Jessica, their expressions shifting as they silently observed the unfolding scene.

Jessica was well aware that Cheryl harbored no fondness for her.

Even so, with so many eyes on her, an unavoidable wave of awkwardness and humiliation crept in.

Her complexion pale, she stepped forward, offering greetings to each family member in turn.

Cheryl let out a scoff and said, "Sit down. Don't act like I'm mistreating you."

The Buckley family noticed the tension in the air and quickly attempted to smooth things over, forcing cheer into their voices.

"Adrian, Jessica, you're finally back. It has been so long!"

"That's right. They've been married for three years already, haven't they? How come they still haven't had a child?"

"Adrian, when are you planning to have children? It would make your mother very happy if you did."

Before Adrian could answer, Cheryl set her coffee cup down on the table with a loud thud, her expression icy as she spoke. "Children? He already married a mute woman. Does he need to give me a mute grandchild as well? I would be utterly humiliated if that happened!"

At those words, Adrian turned his head to look at Jessica.

She stood beside him with her head lowered, loose strands of hair slipping down to hide her eyes, leaving only her pale chin visible as she appeared almost pitiful.

A sudden tightness filled Adrian's chest, and he loosened the tie at his collar.

One relative, emboldened by her closeness to Cheryl, said, "Cheryl, you're worrying too much. Adrian's wife was not born mute, so even if she had a child, the child wouldn't inherit that trait."

Cheryl showed no intention of backing down, her expression sharpening further as she replied, "Who knows what kind of genes run in the Howard family? Eleanor behaves without restraint; Jessica cannot even speak. I find them so irritating!"

She then turned her gaze toward Adrian and added pointedly, "Besides, Adrian has no interest in having children; isn't that right, Adrian?"

Adrian avoided responding to Cheryl's question and rose from his chair. "I need to handle something at the office. Jessica and I are leaving."

Cheryl's expression changed instantly as she rushed to stop him. "Why would you go now?" She gestured toward the kitchen, voice tightening. "The chef has already finished preparing the dishes, and all the family members are here. Can't you at least stay for lunch?"

Without hesitation, Adrian reached for Jessica and pulled her to her feet, his voice flat. "No. We are not staying."

After the couple left the Buckley Estate, Cheryl's anger erupted. Her chest rose sharply as she struck the arm of her chair with her fist.

Understanding her son was becoming more difficult by the day.

If he truly disliked Jessica, then why was every word and action of his instinctively protective of her?

Yet if he did care for Jessica, why did he remain tangled with Eleanor?

Even Eleanor's past marriage and child failed to deter him in the slightest.

Cheryl could not make sense of his thoughts at all.

Once seated inside his car, Adrian lit a cigarette, pale smoke curling around his knitted brows.

Jessica recognized the habit. Adrian only smoked when he was frustrated.

She remained still beside him, breathing lightly, afraid of disturbing him.

The cigarette shortened inch by inch until only the filter remained.

Adrian finally turned, his intense gaze settling on Jessica.

She looked exactly as she had been when they had first met—delicate features, a gentle face, calm to the point of detachment.

Even when mistreated, she never protested or made a scene, always compliant to an unsettling degree.

Time had not changed her in the slightest, yet his dislike for her submissive demeanor only deepened.

To him, she resembled a hollow doll, numb and unresponsive, while he, a man with ordinary desires, favored women who were vibrant when it came to intimacy.

The irritation boiling in Adrian's chest intensified. He pulled off his tie and flung it aside.

Jessica quietly picked it up, smoothing the fabric before placing it into a bag to keep it clean.

Adrian's eyes lingered on her movements before he spoke abruptly. "You heard what my mother said earlier, didn't you?"

A subtle tremor passed through Jessica's brows as she turned to look at him, her expression gentle.

Adrian studied her face and asked, "What do you think about it?"

For a brief second, the meaning behind his question failed to register with Jessica at all.

Seeing the confusion on her face, Adrian continued, his voice steady, "Do you want to have a child?"

Jessica instantly understood what he meant and gestured quickly. "I'll follow whatever your mother decides. You don't need to worry. I've never allowed myself to fantasize about that."

In truth, during the early days of their marriage, she had once imagined a child that belonged to the two of them.

But gradually, she realized the harsh reality.

She learned that all the good things were reserved for women who were cherished.

They were never meant for someone like her, a mute person, unwanted and always looked down upon.

Back at an important family gathering in their first year of marriage, she had eaten something bad and gagged a few times.

Every gaze in the room had swung toward her, whispers spreading as people wondered if she might be expecting.

At that time, Cheryl's face had hardened, and Adrian's expression had darkened alongside it.

Once the nausea finally passed, Jessica heard Cheryl tell her that the Buckley family had no intention of welcoming a child currently and that if she was pregnant, she should go to the hospital to end her pregnancy.

Panic seized Jessica, and she instinctively turned to Adrian for help.

But Adrian said nothing. He did not object to the idea at all.

That silence made everything painfully clear to Jessica. Adrian did not want a child, or rather, he didn't want a child with her.

So now, when Adrian brought the topic up again, Jessica understood it was never a question of her wishes; he just wanted to make sure that they were on the same page.

As if confirming her thoughts, Adrian's next words followed calmly. "You understand what I mean, don't you? I didn't take any precautions last time."

Jessica responded at once, lifting her hands again, "It's alright. I already took birth control pills."

Her gestures were careful and deliberate, as though she feared he might misunderstand her. She had an earnest expression, and a faint sheen of moisture shimmered in her clear eyes.

Adrian received the answer he wanted to hear, yet the sense of ease he had expected never arrived.

He watched her in silence for a long moment before letting out a breath and turning to look at the passing scenery beyond the window. "Good."

That single word drained the color from Jessica's face even further.

Worried he might notice, she lowered her head quickly, slender fingers knotting together in her lap.

Just as she had anticipated, his concern had never been about what she wanted, only about confirming whether there was any chance she might get pregnant.

Thankfully, she had not blurted out her true feelings just now.

Had she acted on that impulse, the humiliation would have been unbearable.

The thought alone made her chest tighten briefly before she steadied herself.

The luxury car soon slowed to a stop at the entrance of the Buckley Group.

Through the car window, Jessica immediately spotted Eleanor standing nearby.

Eleanor had been smiling, but the instant her gaze landed on Jessica getting out of the car behind Adrian, that smile collapsed, replaced by a sharp, hostile glare.

Her voice cut through the air. "Adrian, why did you bring her here?" The displeasure in her tone was obvious, making it seem as if she were actually Adrian's wife.

Adrian didn't mind that. Without hesitation, he turned to speak to Jessica. "I'll have the driver take you back."

Jessica inclined her head obediently and settled back into the seat.

Eleanor, however, was still not satisfied. She clung to Adrian's hand, her annoyance plain. "Adrian, can you stop bringing her to the company from now on?"

Her eyes flicked toward the car. "People might misunderstand and think you two are together."

Adrian did not pull away. His response was calm. "She is my wife. That's simply the truth."

Eleanor's dissatisfaction deepened. She pursed her lips into a pout. "I just don't like you being around her. Promise me you won't do it again."

A faint trace of a smile flickered across Adrian's otherwise impassive face.

He offered no verbal reply, his silence serving as quiet agreement.

From inside the car, Jessica watched the exchange, her vision slowly blurring as her eyes reddened.

She witnessed her husband favoring another woman, and that woman was her own half-sister.

No matter how unreasonable Eleanor acted or how openly she tried to take her place, Adrian always indulged her without restraint.

To him, the woman he loved could never be at fault.

Perhaps, in their eyes, she, the so-called Mrs. Buckley, was nothing more than a laughingstock.

Lowering her gaze, Jessica used sign language to quietly instruct the driver to pull away.

Outside the car, Eleanor fell into step beside Adrian as they entered the company building together.

Her gaze flicked to his unreadable profile, and she carefully steered the conversation back to what had happened the day before. "Yesterday was on me. I acted without thinking and pushed you about the divorce. I already said sorry, so please stop being upset with me."

She had acted on impulse yesterday, insisting he end his marriage to her mute sister as if his indulgence toward her had no limits.

Adrian could give her almost anything. But the word divorce drew a hard line he refused to cross.

He had always insisted that nothing romantic existed between him and Jessica, claiming his marriage was nothing more than a duty carried out to fulfill his grandfather's final wish.

But Keith had been gone for years now. Eleanor believed that surely the old man could be at peace by this point.

Besides, she was also a member of the Howard family. Why was it unacceptable for her to stand in Jessica's place as Adrian's wife?

The answer was simple. Adrian just didn't want that.

People around them all said Adrian loved her deeply. Even after she became a widow with a child, he welcomed her back without hesitation and treated her with care reserved only for her.

Still, Eleanor could never fully feel his affection toward her. It felt veiled, blurred behind something she could not name, and the uncertainty left her uneasy, no matter how often she tried to ignore it.

When they reached the elevator, Adrian came to a halt.

He loosened her grip from his arm, fingers gentle but decisive, and met her eyes. "Eleanor, what I promised you will never change. I do not care how many marriages you have had or how many children you are raising; I will take care of you for the rest of your life."

Warmth began to rise in Eleanor's chest, and she was ready to lean into the moment when the temperature in Adrian's voice suddenly dropped as he continued, "In the same way, what I promised Jessica also stands. If she is willing, she will remain my wife for life."

Jessica had been the granddaughter-in-law Keith had personally chosen back then.

But the debt he owed Eleanor from his younger years had rendered Adrian unable to make a decision about whom to marry.

Luckily, three years ago, everything finally settled into its proper place, and Jessica became his wife.

At the same time, he intended to keep the promise he had made in his youth and look after Eleanor for as long as he lived.

The moment his words sank in, anger rushed through Eleanor's chest.

If the title of wife belonged to Jessica, then what role was left for her in his life?

Was she meant to have no status, forever a mistress to him?

Eleanor's hands curled into tight fists as she forced tears into her eyes. With a wounded tone, she said, "Adrian, I understand how trapped you are. But we were the ones who loved each other back then. If my parents had not been so greedy as to marry me off to another guy, none of this would have happened—"

Unwilling to let her continue, Adrian interjected softly, "The past does not need to be revisited. From now on, I will make sure to treat you well. Is there something you want these days?"

Catching the trace of irritation hidden beneath his composed expression, Eleanor immediately adjusted her strategy. "There was a necklace at the last auction that caught my eye."

Adrian curved his lips slightly, his expression calm. "I will get it for you."

Content with the answer, Eleanor trailed after Adrian as they entered the elevator together.

Meanwhile, Jessica did not return home.

She instructed the driver to stop at a quiet street corner, then stepped out of the car.

Walking a short distance by herself, she entered a small pet shop tucked along the road.

This place employed her as an animal communicator.

No one knew about her job here, not even Adrian.

Once inside, she greeted her coworkers before heading to the changing room to slip into her uniform and fasten her mask in place.

Just then, a slim figure appeared at the doorway, letting out a playful whistle in her direction. "Jessica, you are here!"

Jessica turned and recognized Lexi Hewitt at once.

Lexi was the owner of the pet store.

She was striking, her hair always pulled into a high ponytail, large hoop earrings framing her face and drawing attention to her sharp, delicate features in a way that felt bold.

At first, Lexi had not known any sign language at all, but she learned it within three months so she could communicate with Jessica.

Jessica felt genuine gratitude toward her and had long since come to see her as a close friend.

She smiled and signed, "Good afternoon, Lexi."

Holding a paper bag, Lexi walked over and slipped an arm around Jessica's shoulders in an easy, familiar way. "You still haven't eaten anything, right?" She lifted the bag slightly. "Look what I brought for you. Croissants and..."

She stopped talking when her eyes caught the marks along Jessica's neck and collarbone.

Marks like that, lingering on such sensitive skin, made the situation obvious without needing further explanation.

Lexi's face darkened, anger flashing through her eyes as she snapped, "Did that jerk do this to you?"

Jessica paused for a moment, fingertips brushing her own neck before she signed, "It is nothing. They will be gone in a few days."

Concern tugged at Lexi's chest as she pulled Jessica into an embrace and asked softly, "Does it hurt?"

Jessica shook her head, her hands moving with practiced calm. "I am already used to the pain."

Lexi blinked. How much pain and suffering must Jessica have endured to reach the point where she was used to all this?

The ache in Lexi's chest deepened. She guided Jessica to a chair and carefully helped her remove her mask. "Let's not talk about that. We should go have lunch now."

Evening settled in, and six o'clock marked the end of the workday.

Just then, Lexi suddenly received an urgent call.

She swept her gaze across the shop. Most of the staff had already left, leaving only Jessica behind.

She tipped her chin toward Jessica, who was just about to change her clothes. "No need to change. I need you to accompany me for a task."

Confusion flickered across Jessica's face as she signed, "Where are we going?"

Digging through her bag for the car keys, Lexi answered, "A sheepdog swallowed something it shouldn't have. The owner wants us to bring it in for an emergency stomach pump."

The moment she heard that, Jessica moved quickly, helping Lexi secure a large cage in the back of her car.

Lexi might have a sharp mouth, but animals had always been her weakness. Since she had heard the sheepdog was in trouble, her foot pressed hard on the accelerator. She was clearly worried about it.

The car pulled over briefly at a fast-food place. Lexi grabbed burgers for both of them and counted it as dinner.

By the time Jessica finished eating, the car was already slowing to a stop at their destination.

The place before them was a high-end club called "Glamour," set in the heart of the city, its sprawling grounds and opulence impossible to miss.

Jessica lifted her head, and her expression shifted at once.

This place belonged to Adrian.

Lexi parked the car, hauled the cage from it, and started toward the entrance with Jessica beside her.

Just before they could go in, Jessica halted and signed, "Lexi, I will wait outside for you."

At this hour, Adrian could very well be inside.

Jessica wanted to stay outside, unwilling to risk crossing paths with him.

Lexi assumed Jessica simply disliked the club's vibe and did not press the matter. "Do not wander off. Stay right here and wait for me."

Jessica gave a small nod, her eyes following Lexi until she vanished through the entrance.

Unlike most clubs, Glamour lacked flashing signs or glaring neon lights.

Its exterior stood shrouded in darkness, resembling an old fortress or a beast crouched in silence, waiting to pounce on its prey.

The sight stirred an immediate association in Jessica's mind. The place reminded her too much of Adrian.

She had been here once before, walking a few steps behind Adrian and Eleanor, her presence barely acknowledged.

Back then, the club had not yet fallen under Adrian's control.

It belonged to his rival, and Adrian had come with his men to reclaim property that used to belong to the Buckley family.

The confrontation escalated quickly, tension stretched tight as both sides raised their weapons without hesitation.

Terrified, Eleanor hid behind Adrian.

Adrian's rival cast a sharp, threatening glance over, the scar slicing through his eyebrow making his sneer all the more vicious as he said, "So this is the woman your grandfather chose for you? She is pretty. Hand her over and let me have fun with her for a few days, and I might think about giving this place back to you."