Chapter 472: Elena Ward Cast a Cold Glance at the Middle-aged Man

"Sorry, but my wedding is already over." Elena Ward cast a cold glance at the middle-aged man before her. "And sir, we're practically strangers. If you insist on calling me your daughter, I can't stop you. But falsely claiming kinship won't benefit you—I'm Elena Ward, and I have nothing to do with you. Not in the past, and certainly not in the future."

She linked arms with Adrian Stone, her voice turning even frostier. "I lived in Pinehaven Village for years, and you had plenty of chances to acknowledge me. Yet you only come knocking now, after I've become a Stone. If you think I don't see through your motives, you're delusional."

Victor Hale's face flushed with embarrassment before paling again. He turned to Adrian's father, Nathaniel Stone, with an awkward smile. "She's still holding a grudge... I understand—I failed her..."

Nathaniel Stone waved a dismissive hand. "It's natural for her to feel resentful. These things take time." But inwardly, he remained wary. As her father-in-law, it wasn't his place to interfere in family matters.

In the dining room, Adrian was ladling sweet bean porridge into Elena's bowl. His slender fingers gripped the porcelain spoon, the rich aroma wafting up as the porridge swirled invitingly.

"Good for blood replenishment," he said with perfect seriousness.

Elena nearly choked. Since when did her aloof military officer learn to flirt like this?

"Commander Stone, you've gotten bold," she muttered under her breath.

Adrian methodically peeled a hard-boiled egg. "This is bold? Then last night—"

"Stop!" Elena shot to her feet, her ears burning crimson. This man had no filter anymore.

A firm hand pulled her back into her seat.

"Running away?" He held the peeled egg to her lips, amusement glinting in his eyes. "Feeling better now?"

Suddenly, she understood—he was teasing her to lift her mood.

Her heart softened instantly.

"You're the best," she mumbled around a bite of egg.

Adrian leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "What if I treated someone else this well?"

Elena bristled immediately. "Then I'd remarry!"

Regret hit her the moment the words left her mouth. Adrian's gaze darkened, his grip tightening around her wrist.

"Don't even think about it," he growled, his voice rough with possessiveness. "You're mine—"

She shrank back sheepishly. "You started it..."

"What did I say?" Adrian sighed. This jealous little thing.

"You said you'd be nice to someone else!" Her eyes reddened as she glared at him.

The next second, she was pulled into a warm embrace. Adrian pressed a kiss to her hair, his voice tender.

"Silly girl, you're the only one I'll ever spoil."

Elena buried her face against his chest, their heartbeats thunderous in unison.

This man—so serious yet so devastatingly sweet—was playing completely unfair.