Chapter 4

Friday evening, just before the end of the workday, it suddenly started pouring rain outside with howling winds.

I pulled out my phone to call a rideshare, but there were over 300 people in queue. No way I could get one.

A few coworkers who were also stuck at the office were complaining nearby.

"This rain is crazy. I should've brought an umbrella this morning."

"My boyfriend said he's coming to pick me up. I'm heading to the parking garage!"

Watching my coworker happily get into her boyfriend's car, I stood there as a memory suddenly flashed through my mind unbidden.

It was also a rainy day last year.

I'd gotten off work without an umbrella and was stuck at the subway station, so I called Ethan hopefully. "The rain's too heavy and I can't get home. Can you drive over and pick me up?"

But Ethan responded extremely impatiently on the other end. "I'm in the middle of ranked! Can't you just get a taxi or take the subway home? Can you be a little more independent and stop always relying on me?"

Then he hung up directly.

That day, I steeled myself and ran home through the pouring rain, getting completely soaked.

That same night, I developed a 102-degree fever.

But Ethan didn't even pour me a glass of water. He actually complained that my coughing was keeping him awake.

Looking back now, I was truly at a loss for words.

What kind of spell was I under to waste five whole years on such a selfish man?

Just as I was gritting my teeth, preparing to hold my bag over my head and just run through the rain to the subway, a low, gentle voice suddenly came from behind me.

"No umbrella?"

I turned around.

It was Adrian Knight.

The representative of our company's newest major investor, who'd been at our office these past few days doing project due diligence.

He was holding a black long-handled umbrella, his entire presence radiating a mature, steady aura.

I froze for a moment, then quickly greeted him. "Mr. Knight, yeah, I didn't bring an umbrella. Can't get a ride, so I'm planning to run to the subway station."

Adrian frowned slightly, glancing at the torrential rain outside. "Where are you headed? I'll have my driver drop you off on the way."

"No, no, I couldn't impose on you like that." I instinctively tried to refuse.

But he didn't give me a chance to refuse.

"Let's go."

He opened the large black umbrella, tilting it significantly toward my side without hesitation, sheltering me completely underneath.

His shoulder was half-exposed to the rain.

A black Maybach was parked steadily at the bottom of the steps.

The driver quickly got out to open the door.

Adrian let me get in first, then folded the umbrella and got into the back seat himself.

Once inside, the driver immediately handed over a clean, dry towel.

Adrian took the towel and passed it to me naturally. "Dry your hair so you don't catch cold."

Then he said to the driver, "Turn up the back seat temperature by two degrees and adjust the vents away from her."

I held the towel, feeling the warm air in the car and the faint woody scent of the air freshener, completely stunned.

"Thank you, Mr. Knight."

"After work hours, no need to call me Mr. Knight. Just call me Adrian." Adrian turned to look at me, his gaze calm without any trace of superiority.

"It's not safe for a young woman to be caught in the rain alone. Next time you encounter this situation, don't tough it out."

Hearing these simple words, an indescribable bitterness and relief welled up in my heart.

They were both men, but the difference was bigger than between humans and dogs.

Ethan wouldn't even come downstairs to pick me up, while Adrian, a boss of such high standing, could attend to details so thoughtfully.

I truly felt what it meant to be respected.