Chapter 202: Don’t tell me —you came here planning to stay?
"The actress?" Karl asked, momentarily failing to grasp who Adelyn was referring to.
But when she tilted her head slightly at him —her gaze carrying a faint warning —realization struck him at once.
"Oh, she—" His voice rose instinctively, as though the answer was right on the tip of his tongue.
But then, just as quickly, it faltered.
"I ... don’t know."
Adelyn pressed her lips into a thin line.
Karl immediately rushed to explain, almost afraid she might misunderstand him. "Sister-in-law, how could I possibly know who she is? I only know she has to be someone from Jasper’s company. Otherwise, why would he go out of his way to promote it like that?"
Adelyn nodded faintly, accepting the explanation without probing further.
Karl observed her for a moment, then suddenly something seemed to click in his mind. His eyes lit up, almost sparkling with excitement.
"Why, sister-in-law?" he asked, leaning forward slightly. "Are you suddenly interested in knowing your enemy?"
"Enemy?" Adelyn repeated, her brows knitting in confusion for a brief second.
But the answer was written so clearly across Karl’s face that she understood immediately.
She let out a small breath and shook her head. "No, I’m not. I was just curious. That’s all."
Karl nodded slowly, though the knowing look on his face didn’t quite disappear.
Seeing that expression, Adelyn almost opened her mouth to clarify further. But she stopped herself.
There was no point.
From what she had understood so far, Karl only heard what he wanted to hear. Everything else simply slipped past him.
Shaking her head internally, she dismissed the thought and spoke instead, "Alright. Now that you’ve said what you came here for, how about you head back?"
Karl froze, staring at her as if she had just said something utterly unexpected.
"Sister-in-law ... you want me to leave just like that?"
Adelyn blinked, clearly caught off guard.
Now what was that supposed to mean?
Her brows drew together in confusion as she studied him. "Wait ... don’t tell me —you came here planning to stay?"
Her gaze swept briefly around the apartment before she added bluntly, "Sorry, but my humble abode cannot accommodate you."
Karl’s eyes widened instantly.
Stay?
He wouldn’t dare —even if he wanted to.
If his Big Brother found out, he might not even live to regret it.
He quickly shook his head. "No—no, sister-in-law. That’s not what I meant. I was just asking ... are you really sending me away just like that?"
Adelyn stared at him for a second, then pointed toward the door without hesitation. "If not like that, then what? Should I replace that wooden door with a golden one for you? Will you leave through it then?"
Karl was left completely speechless.
His gaze drifted toward the door, then slowly returned to her. His lips pressed into a thin, defeated line.
"What?" Adelyn asked, folding her arms. "If you have something to say, say it clearly. I—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
A low, unmistakable growl broke the silence.
Her eyes dropped instinctively to Karl’s stomach, then lifted back to his face.
Karl pouted, nodding pitifully. "I’m starving. I haven’t eaten anything since the afternoon."
"Since the afternoon?" Adelyn frowned. "Why?"
"I ..." He hesitated, then admitted softly, "I was waiting for you outside."
For a moment, Adelyn had no words.
He had been here ... the entire afternoon?
"Couldn’t you go and eat somewhere?" she asked.
Karl shook his head.
"Why?"
"My allowance has been suspended," he said, almost sheepishly. "Big Brother cut it off. I don’t have any money."
Adelyn fell silent again.
These brothers ... were truly something else.
—
A while later—
Adelyn stood in the kitchen, scanning through the contents of her refrigerator.
There was nothing prepped.
Nigel had already informed her he would be late today, and she had been perfectly fine with it. But she hadn’t expected that she would end up feeding someone else in his absence.
"If I order takeout, it’ll take at least an hour," she said, glancing at her phone. "Can you wait that long?"
Karl shook his head immediately.
Adelyn pressed her lips together, clearly restraining herself.
She placed her phone aside and stared at him for a long moment —as if contemplating whether to scold him or throw him out.
But in the end—
She exhaled.
"Fine," she said, gesturing toward a chair. "Sit down and wait. I’ll cook something."
Without waiting for a response, she turned toward the counter and began taking out vegetables.
Karl’s eyes widened in disbelief, then lit up with excitement. "Sister-in-law ... you’re cooking for me?"
With her back still turned to him, she replied flatly, "You left me with no other option. So don’t complain later."
Karl didn’t even register the warning.
He was far too thrilled.
"How could I complain?" he said eagerly. "You’re making it for me —I’ll enjoy every bite!"
Adelyn glanced over her shoulder and gave him a pointed look. "You better."
And just like that, she got to work.
As she chopped the vegetables, Karl stood on the other side of the counter, watching in fascination.
Her movements were swift and precise —clean, efficient, almost artistic.
Each slice was uniform, controlled ... perfect.
For a moment, he was genuinely stunned.
Her skills were no less than those of a professional chef —perhaps even better.
He had never imagined that being broke could still lead him to such a luxurious meal.
With a sister-in-law like her ... life was only getting better and better.
He smiled to himself, utterly pleased.
Just then—
Adelyn’s phone rang.
Her gaze flickered toward it, then shifted to Karl.
He didn’t immediately understand what she wanted —until she spoke.
"Get it for me and bring it here."
"Oh!" He nodded quickly and hurried over to grab it.
The moment he saw the caller ID, his eyes brightened.
Turning back toward Adelyn, he grinned. "It’s Little Eira, sister-in-law. She’s video-calling you. Should I pick it up?"
Adelyn gave a small nod.
Karl answered the call at once.
"Eira, sweetheart!" he greeted cheerfully as the screen lit up.
On the other side, Eira had been expecting to see Adelyn.
But instead, Karl’s face appeared.
She froze for a moment, blinking in confusion.
Karl chuckled and turned the camera around. "Look where I am today!"
The familiar surroundings came into view.
Eira’s eyes widened instantly.
She had only stayed there for one night —but she remembered it clearly.
"Fourth Uncle ... you’re with Mama?" she asked softly, her voice trembling just slightly, her eyes shimmering under the light.
