The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 158

Adrian stood in silence for a few heavy seconds.

"About Liam Bancroft..."

"He's a great senior from my college days," Jocelyn deadpanned.

As for the rest of it, Adrian could drive himself crazy overthinking it.

Trying to explain it would only make it messier. Besides, with the insane stuff Liam had said today, she couldn't exactly blame Adrian for being suspicious.

"It definitely looked like he has feelings for you."

"He's just an old friend and a colleague," Jocelyn said coldly. "I don't make a habit of cheating on my spouse."

Adrian frowned, swallowed his temper, and held back a sarcastic retort.

"Just... keep your distance from him from now on."

Jocelyn didn't even dignify that with a response.

"Classic double standard," she thought. "He can play house with his mistress, but I can't even have a friend."

"Alright, I'm heading out."

"My dad..."

Jocelyn suddenly spoke up.

Adrian turned around. "What about him?"

Jocelyn forced a tight, icy smile.

"He's going to wake up. Right?"

Adrian looked mildly surprised.

"Of course. The specialist I hired is arriving in a few days."

"Don't bother. I already found a top specialist."

"That works too. Medical tech is incredible these days. I'm sure he'll pull through."

He said it with complete, terrifying indifference.

Jocelyn watched his retreating back and let out a bitter, hollow laugh.

Maria waited until she heard the elevator doors close before stepping out of the hallway.

"Miss Jocelyn, are you okay?"

Jocelyn collapsed back onto the sofa, draping her arm over her eyes. A flicker of profound exhaustion passed over her face.

"I'm fine. Just completely drained."

Maria knelt beside the couch and, using her one good hand, gently stroked Jocelyn's hair.

"I know how exhausting it is to fight the whole world by yourself, with no one to lean on."

"But it's going to be okay, Miss Jocelyn. Things are looking up. You've got me to take care of you now. And you have Mr. Bancroft and Sarah—they're such fiercely loyal friends."

"Oh, and that Mr. Vance! He clearly cares about you a great deal, too."

"So don't be scared. We've all got your back. I might not be as young as I used to be, but I'll protect you with my dying breath if I have to."

Jocelyn's eyes burned, and a sudden wave of tears threatened to spill over.

Julian really didn't have a romantic bone in his body.

Half the time, he texted like a strict college professor giving a lecture.

Jocelyn: [You basically saved my dad's life. I can never thank you enough for what you did. As for the Lowells, I'll handle them myself.]

She sent it, paused for a second, and then fired off one more text.

[Thank you, Julian.]

Julian didn't reply.

Jocelyn locked her screen and set the phone down.

...

The second Adrian walked through the door at Oakhaven Estates, Laura, the new housekeeper, practically ambushed him.

"Mr. Lowell, your grandmother is waiting for you in your study. You better hurry up. If you keep her waiting any longer, she's going to have a meltdown."

Adrian shot her a lethally cold glare.

"Since when do you give me orders in my own house?"

Compared to this sycophant, Adrian missed having Maria around the house even more.

Sure, Maria was a bit chatty sometimes, but it was always out of genuine, motherly concern.

As for this random distant relative of Eleanor's? The more Adrian saw of her, the more he despised her.

If Eleanor hadn't personally hired her, Adrian would have kicked Laura out onto the street weeks ago.