Adrian took the phone.
The other end was silent, except for the distant sound of laughter and children's voices. His heart sank slightly. That was Boton Country, a place his father visited on business trips, a place where he found peace and his third mistress.
In his past life, young Liam had thought it was a betrayal. Now, with a different soul, Adrian understood it that his father was just seeking the tranquility he couldn't find at home.
"Hello, Dad," he said softly, his voice no longer the coaxing tone of his past life.
The sigh on the other end of the phone was weary and heavy, like a weight had been lifted. But beneath the surface, Adrian sensed defensiveness and fatigue. He wasn't surprised by this reaction. He remembered it all too well.
In the past, Liam would either cry or throw tantrums whenever he called. He'd threaten to remove his oxygen tube, crash his car, or even harm himself just to get his father's attention.
His father had once stayed with him in the hospital for an entire week, and during that time, the company's board meetings were in chaos.
The sigh from his father from the other side of the line, Adrian realized, was actually a sign of fear.
The deep, low-pitched voice on the other end of the phone carried a familiar tone of detachment when Monroe Hayes finally spoke. "Liam Hayes, what do you want now? If you're calling to ask me to come back, at least don't curse at these children while you're at it. They're your half-siblings."
Adrian smiled faintly. "Dad, are you sure you know who's speaking?"
"It's you," the man's voice was tinged with irritation. "You always do this. Whether they're illegitimate or not, they—"
"I just wanted to say hello," Adrian interrupted, his voice gentle and calm. "Hello to you, and hello to them. If you don't want me to bother you, I won't call again."
"…"
The silence on the other end of the line lasted for two seconds.
"What did you just say?" The confusion in Monroe Hayes's voice was palpable.
"I said I just wanted to know if everyone is doing well," Adrian replied.
The background noise on the other end suddenly became clearer, with the sound of two children laughing and chattering as they chased after something.
Adrian listened quietly, his voice soft as he asked, "They're twins, right? Their names are Lake and Lennox?"
Monroe Hayes voice tightened, and for a moment, it even trembled. "T—They're fine." He paused, then laughed softly. "How did you know that?"
"I saw their birth certificates amongst your files that time. You give them names that all start with L," Adrian said with a gentle laugh. "It was obvious they were yours whenever you spoke to them at midnight those times."
On the other end of the line, there was a sudden clatter of dishes shattering, followed by a woman's panicked gasp.
"Is that… her?" Adrian asked softly. "Is Auntie there too?"
Auntie? Did he just call his father's mistress who he used to call the devil… auntie?!
There was silence for a few seconds before the man hung up the phone.
He couldn't believe it! She, his mistress couldn't believe Liam Hayes was not cursing her kids and instead laughing in an approving way, and this was why the plates fell off her hands on the other side.
Butler Ray was taken aback, hurrying forward. "Young master, what kind of trick are you playing now?!"
Adrian ignored him and immediately dialed the number again. The phone was answered quickly.
"Dad," he said, wanting to go straight to the point, "don't bother coming back tomorrow. I'm doing fine."
"Liam? Son?" The voice on the other end seemed to tremble. "Is that really you?"
"This is the first time you've called me 'son'," Adrian said with a faint smile. "It sounds a bit unfamiliar to you too who said it, doesn't it?"
The line was silent for a few seconds, and then the sound of suppressed sobs could be heard.
"I'm sorry," his father whispered. "I... I neglected you too much."
"No need to apologize," Adrian said softly. "I just wanted to tell you that you don't have to come back. I heard you have something else to attend to tomorrow, right? I can handle it for you."
"How did you know?" his father's voice faltered.
"Uncle Ray told me," Adrian said with a slight smile. "And if it's a gift for your... 'first mistress', I can deliver it for you. After all, it's related to me too."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, followed by a bitter laugh. "Alright... alright. You're grown up now. I'll let you handle it."
"Thank you," Adrian replied.
His father suddenly spoke up again, his voice softer. "Ask Uncle Ray to give you the unlimited credit card. You... you can have anything you want. Just don't…."
"I don't need anything else," Adrian interrupted gently. "Just the card is enough."
"Good boy," his father said, and the call ended.
Butler Ray stood frozen, looking at the young master's calm and almost indifferent expression. He felt a shiver run down his spine.
"Young master... you're not going to stir up trouble with 'her' again, are you? She's not someone to be trifled with. She's not like your dad's other mistresses who gives you face."
"Weren't you the one yelling at me just now?" Adrian's voice was light, but it sent a shiver down Butler Ray's spine. He looked up, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
Butler Ray was taken aback, his face turning red with embarrassment. "Young master, I-I didn't mean it like that... I was just worried about you…."
"Worried I'll make a scene and throw a tantrum again?" Adrian raised an eyebrow, his voice calm.
"No, no, it's not that," Butler Ray hastened to explain, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I spoke harshly, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."
Adrian chuckled softly, the sound playful and carefree. "I'm just teasing you."
Butler Ray's eyes widened in surprise. The young master was... joking? This was a side of him he hadn't seen in a long time, about years. Usually, when Liam Hayes was upset, he would lash out or throw tantrums. But now, he seemed... different.
"Since you're worried about me going to my father's first mistress tomorrow," Adrian said, his voice light and casual, "you can come with me."
Butler Ray's eyes went wide. "Oh, no, no, no! I need to stay here and take care of the mansion. If you want to go, maybe take Mr. Ethan with you. He's more suitable."
Adrian nodded and headed upstairs, leaving Butler Ray feeling a mix of emotions.
The young master's demeanor had changed, and it seemed like he was adapting to his new circumstances. But would this newfound calmness last?
Only time would tell.