Chapter 190.

Mrs. Hayes stared at him for a moment. "You ordered something she likes even though she isn’t here."

Adrian glanced down at the menu. "She’ll complain if I don’t bring her something."

Mrs. Hayes laughed. It was the first genuine laugh she’d given him. "That’s my daughter. She’s food centered."

Adrian chuckled. He nodded in agreement. "Absolutely."

The waitress took the menus and left.

Mrs. Hayes took a sip of water. Then she looked at Adrian again. "She gave you a tip to soften my mind?"

Adrian smiled at her.

Another waitress arrived at the table and began arranging the plates before Mrs. Hayes.

Mrs. Hayes watched the dishes appear. Then she looked back at Adrian. "She knows this is one of my favorite places.."

"Yes."

"So she sent you to me prepared."

"I wouldn’t say prepared."

Mrs. Hayes smiled.

Adrian’s mouth curved lightly.

"I’ll survive."

Another waitress approached with his plates, and several small dishes arranged carefully beside them in take outs.

Mrs. Hayes looked at the amount of food. "She tells you everything?" She asked thoughtfully.

"No."

Mrs. Hayes studied him.

Adrian looked at her. "I wouldn’t want her to."

That surprised her.

"Why?"

"Because some things belong to her."

Mrs. Hayes stared at him.

Adrian picked up his fork.

They began eating.

For several minutes, the conversation stayed ordinary.

Then Mrs. Hayes placed her fork down. "Tell me about the hearing."

Adrian’s expression changed.

Mrs. Hayes sat back. "You called her naive."

"Yes." Adrian’s voice lowered.

"Why?"

"Because I needed her to take the board’s attention away from her."

"And you thought insulting her was the best way to do that?"

"No."

Mrs. Hayes waited.

Adrian looked down. "It was the only way I could think of at the time."

"You hurt her. You made her think you were ashamed of her. And then you expected her to understand later."

"I didn’t expect her to."

Mrs. Hayes looked at him. "What did you expect?"

"For her to hate me."

She went quiet.

Adrian continued eating. "I thought if she hated me, she would stop risking her scholarship for me."

Mrs. Hayes watched him carefully. "That sounds noble."

"It wasn’t. I made the decision for her."

Her eyes softened slightly. "You’ve learned?"

"I’ve got a reason to."

Mrs. Hayes took another bite. Then she said quietly, "She told me you apologized. She said you didn’t try to excuse it."

Adrian lifted his face, and met her gaze. "I had no excuse."

"She doesn’t trust easily." Mrs. Hayes’ eyes softened. "Neither do I."

Adrian met her eyes.

Mrs. Hayes smiled faintly.

She took another bite from her meal, and then, she leaned back. "I have another question."

Adrian set down his fork. "Ask."

"What happened with Noah?"

His expression darkened.

"What are you doing about him?"

"He’s been found."

Her brows lifted. "Found?"

"Yes."

"By you?"

"Yes."

Mrs. Hayes stared at him. "Is he alive?"

Adrian paused. "Yes."

She studied his face. "And what happens now?"

"He’ll face the consequences of what he did."

She watched him carefully. "Legal consequences?" She asked.

Adrian didn’t answer immediately. That was enough to answer her.

Mrs. Hayes sighed. "Adrian."

"I won’t lie to you."

"Then don’t."

"I have people handling it."

She nodded. Mrs. Hayes picked up her glass. "I don’t want my daughter living in fear."

"Neither do I."

"I don’t want her looking over her shoulder every time she leaves a building."

"Neither do I."

"And I don’t want you becoming another person she needs protection from."

Adrian’s expression softened. "You won’t have to."

Mrs. Hayes studied him. "You’re very certain?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I know what it feels like to be afraid of the person who is supposed to protect you."

Mrs. Hayes went still.

Adrian didn’t elaborate.

He didn’t need to. Understanding passed between them. An understanding neither asked the other to explain.

They spent the remaining hour eating in comfortable silence.

It wasn’t awkward.

If anything, the silence felt strangely easy.

By the time Mrs. Hayes placed her napkin beside her empty plate, most of the restaurant had begun to quiet down.

Adrian glanced at the time. "Are you ready to leave?"

Mrs. Hayes nodded. "Yes."

Adrian stood. He reached for his coat and helped her with hers before picking up his phone.

He sent one short message.

A few minutes later, the waitress returned with the bill.

Adrian reached for it immediately.

Mrs. Hayes frowned. "You don’t have to."

"I invited you."

She went quiet for a moment before giving a small nod.

"Thank you."

Adrian settled the bill, then stepped away from the table with the take out plates.

Mrs. Hayes followed him toward the entrance. The moment they stepped outside, the cool evening air brushed against her face.

A black sedan was waiting near the curb.

Two of Adrian’s men stood beside it.

Mrs. Hayes slowed. She looked at Adrian. "You arranged a car for me?"

"I did."

"I could have driven myself."

"You should be comfortable on your drive back home."

She gave him a knowing look. "I’ve been using my car for years. I’m comfortable."

"All the more reason why you should try mine."

That earned a small smile from her.

One of the men stepped forward and opened the rear door.

Mrs. Hayes was about to enter when Adrian called her name.

"Mrs. Hayes."

She turned.

Adrian reached into the back seat and picked up a small gift bag.

It was a simple bag. Dark brown, with thin cream-colored handles.

He held it out to her.

She looked at the bag, then at him. "What is this?"

"A little something for you."

Her brows lifted slightly. "You didn’t have to get me anything."

"I know."

She accepted it softly, her fingers curling around the handles. "Okay?"

Adrian nodded. "Thank you for your time."

Mrs. Hayes looked at him for a moment.

Her expression softened. "Thank you for tonight."

Adrian gave her a small nod.

She stepped into the sedan. Before the door closed, she looked at him again.

"Take care of my daughter, Adrian."

Adrian’s expression became serious. "I will."

Mrs. Hayes nodded.

The door closed.

Adrian stood on the pavement as the sedan pulled away from the curb. He watched until the taillights disappeared into the traffic.

Only then did he turn back toward his own car waiting a few steps away from the restaurant.