Novels by Gembul 🫦

“Come on, Selena. Let's go.”Adrian and Selena walked toward the elevator.There was no point wasting time arguing with someone who didn't even dare take responsibility for his own words.Behind them, Chloe remained frozen in place. Adrian had truly surprised her over the past few days.In all the time she'd known him, she'd never seen anyone treat him with such respect. Adrian had always been in the inferior position, a man without any status or standing.At least, that was what she'd always believed.So why had the manager of a luxurious hotel bowed to him?Why had a simple ring made everyone change their attitude?Chloe glanced at the ring Adrian had been holding, but he had already walked away.“Julian,” she called softly. “What's really going on?”Julian let out a rough breath. “I don't know. Maybe he stole that ring from someone rich.”Chloe frowned. “Stole it?”“Where else would a man like him get something like that?” Julian scoffed. “Don't tell me you actually believe he has

The atmosphere in the Grand Sovereign Hotel's lobby changed abruptly when the manager bowed to Adrian.Julian could only stare in disbelief, his mouth hanging open.“Once again, please forgive us, sir. I had no idea our staff had treated you so disrespectfully.” The manager didn't dare meet Adrian's eyes.Adrian gave her a brief glance. “Now that you know what happened, you should also know what needs to be done.”His voice was calm, but that very calmness only made the manager more nervous.“Yes, sir. I'll handle this immediately.”The manager turned toward the female attendant who had previously looked down on Adrian.“Effective immediately, you're fired!”The woman's face instantly drained of color.“What?” She stared at the manager as though she'd just heard something impossible.“Ma'am, what are you saying? I was only doing my job! I didn't know who he was. He arrived without a VIP card and then showed me a ring that the scanner couldn't even read. How was I supposed to know he w

The attendant immediately approached. “How may I help you, sir?” she asked, bowing respectfully to Julian.Julian pointed straight at Adrian. After taking in Adrian's modest clothing, he put on a stern expression.“I'm sorry, sir, but all guests are required to present a valid membership card for verification.”“You heard him. Show your card!” Julian ordered, acting as though he owned the hotel.Adrian frowned. He hadn't been directly involved in his family's businesses for years. During that time, many things had changed, including the access procedures at hotels under the Blackthorn Group. He had never expected an attendant to treat a VIP card as the sole measure of whether a guest deserved to enter.“See?” Julian laughed triumphantly. “He doesn't even have a card!”Chloe looked at Adrian with disgust. “Stop embarrassing yourself here!”Adrian held his wife's gaze for several seconds. Something hurt even more than Julian's insults, the fact that his own wife wouldn't even give him a

“Good grief! Where are your manners? I wasn't finished talking, and you've already walked away!”Selena stepped in front of Adrian, spreading her arms to block his path.“You're wasting my time with this pointless conversation, Miss,” Adrian complained, his expression bored.But apparently, Selena wasn't the type of woman who gave up easily.“You can't leave. Have dinner with me!”“I don't have dinner with strangers.”“We can get to know each other today.” Selena smiled confidently. “I know you and Chloe are getting divorced. I've also looked into your background. You're the perfect candidate for a husband.”“Oh, really?” Adrian raised an eyebrow. The woman standing before him was truly bizarre. He was certain she would insult him again any moment, just as she had a few minutes earlier.“Hmm.” Selena nodded again. “You'd be absolutely perfect if you knew how to make money. Tsk! Unfortunately, you don't have that talent.”Adrian almost laughed. The woman wasn't even trying to hide the

“Where's Chloe? Why hasn't she come?”Those were the first words Belinda uttered when she regained consciousness.The middle-aged woman still looked weak. Her thin, pale fingers groped around until they found Adrian's hand, which she clasped tightly as though she were afraid of losing something.Adrian immediately returned her grip.“Chloe is taking care of an urgent project at the office. A major investor showed up unexpectedly. She apologizes for not being able to stay with you.”The lie tasted bitter on his tongue. He had no choice but to tell it because he couldn't bear to burden Belinda, who had only just regained consciousness, with more distress.Belinda sighed and shook her head.“You're always defending your wife.” Her gaze was filled with affection and disappointment. “I know my daughter's temperament. She's probably busy with something she considers more important.”“She works hard for the future of the company, too,” Adrian replied softly.Belinda gently patted the back of

Adrian had barely stepped into the house when Chloe's complaints greeted him from the living room.“Can you believe it, Julian? He didn't prepare anything for me this morning. Now it's already lunchtime, and I still have to figure out what to eat myself. It's so frustrating!”Adrian paused for a moment. Apparently, his absence from the kitchen that morning had already become the subject of Chloe's complaints to Julian.On the sofa, Chloe sat close to Julian. The man's arm was even draped across the back of the sofa, right behind his wife's shoulders.“You're back?” Chloe finally noticed his presence. Instead of feeling guilty about complaining behind her husband's back, she frowned. “Why are you just standing there? Aren't you going to greet us?”Adrian ignored her and continued walking, carrying his shopping bags.“Adrian?” Chloe called out sharply. Her brow furrowed, her expression turning displeased. “Are you mute? Don't make me angry, Adrian. Now go prepare lunch. You don't intend