Chapter 462: Adrian Stone's Gaze Swept over the Unfamiliar Housekeeper

"Mom, Dad, we're going upstairs. Aunt Lee doesn't need to show us the way—I remember my room." Adrian Stone's gaze swept over the unfamiliar housekeeper, his brow furrowing slightly.

It wasn't Aunt Nancy.

The woman who had cared for their family for over twenty years had become like family. His father had personally promised to provide for Aunt Nancy in her old age—why had she been replaced so abruptly?

Aunt Lee nervously rubbed her hands together. "Your room is ready, Dr. Ward will stay in the guest—"

"Don't trouble yourself." Adrian cut her off coldly, taking Elena's hand as they ascended the stairs.

Flustered, Aunt Lee looked toward Sylvia Stone, who gave her a dismissive glance. "Go prepare lunch. Follow the menu I gave you—make sure to include all of Adrian's favorites."

So tactless.

Aunt Lee retreated awkwardly.

Owen Stone sidled up to his father with a grin, offering a cigarette. "Dad, now that Adrian's finally married, you can rest easy. He's really outdone himself, landing such an amazing wife."

Nathaniel Stone waved it away. "I quit."

"What?" Owen nearly dropped the cigarette. "You—the lifelong chain-smoker—quit? I need a moment..."

"Brat! Isn't quitting a good thing?" Though Nathaniel Stone's scolding was loud, his eyes held amusement. This son of his had shown marked improvement lately.

Owen slumped onto the sofa like a deflated balloon. "Dad only quit because he lost a bet with Uncle Johnson."

Regret gnawed at him.

Today had been a disgrace. A grown man, reduced to petty gossip like some backbiting housewife—this wasn't the Owen Stone he knew himself to be.

As a propaganda officer, he might not have seen frontline combat, but the same blood ran in his veins as his brother. Given the chance, he wouldn't hesitate to lay down his life for his country.

Yet he'd let himself be swayed...

No matter what, Elena was still a woman. Why had he been so harsh?

Damn Valerie Mercer!

Her constant weeping these past days, playing the jilted lover, had dragged him into this spiral...

No. Adrian shook his head sharply.

Blaming a woman? What kind of man did that make him? The prejudice had been his own doing.

His fists clenched.

It was time for field training. Only by weathering storms could he become a man worthy of the name.