Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red-Chapter 208: Lennox Qin Returns (2)

"Well, if it wasn’t Miss Adrienne Jiang?" Lennox’s lips curled into a dashing smile as Adrienne extended a hand to him. He gently accepted her hand, but instead of giving it a handshake, he lifted her hand while he leaned down to kiss the back of her hand without breaking their gaze.

Adrienne held her breath at the unexpected gesture, feeling a rush of warmth spread through her. The simple act made her heart flutter. She knew this was their first encounter in public, and she could not act too forward.

"You know each other, Addie?" Reese frowned when Lennox didn’t release Adrienne’s hand immediately.

It seemed that his niece was quite popular these days. Reese’s frown deepened as he noticed Lennox’s lingering gaze on Adrienne even after releasing her hand. He couldn’t help but wonder what intentions Lennox had for his niece.

"I was fortunate to meet Miss Jiang at my lowest. She showed me kindness and understanding when I needed it the most," Lennox replied, his voice filled with gratitude.

Everyone was curious about how Adrienne Jiang met Lennox Qin and how close they were. Alistair Han narrowed his eyes dangerously at Lennox when he noticed the latter’s lingering gaze on Adrienne. He hated the thought of Adrienne being with another man.

Alistair’s possessiveness over Adrienne was evident in his intense glare, silently warning Lennox to keep his distance. However, Lennox seemed to ignore Alistair’s presence and focused all his attention on Adrienne instead.

"I just returned, so forgive me, Miss Jiang." Lennox continued, making Adrienne wonder if he was apologizing to her for arriving late.

"I didn’t know you were looking for a husband and wanted the most eligible bachelor in Chiangshi as your husband." Lennox added with a teasing tone. "Wouldn’t that mean I’m also a strong contender to have your hand in marriage?"

Everyone was rendered speechless, wondering if they heard Lennox Qin right. Adrienne arched a brow as she tried to process Lennox’s unexpected comment. There was no competition, because she would only have him as her husband.

The room fell into an awkward silence, filled with anticipation for Adrienne’s response. They all thought that Miss Jiang, who’d been a frequent subject of rumors, was truly amazing to be able to get Alistair Han and Lennox Qin’s attention at the same time. Either man could have any woman they desired, so for both of them to express interest in Adrienne was quite remarkable.

"Mr. Qin must be joking. It’s not the only criteria I have for finding a suitable life partner. If that were the case, I would have agreed to Mr. Han’s proposition in a heartbeat." Adrienne responded with a smile, startling Alistair, who noticed the sudden change in her demeanor.

"Then what are the other criteria?" Lennox asked, genuinely curious. He wanted to be a good husband, so Adrienne would change her mind and not divorce him in the future. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Adrienne paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts before answering. "For me, compatibility, shared values, and emotional connection are equally important factors in finding a suitable life partner," she explained confidently.

The tension in the room eased slightly as Lennox nodded in understanding, thinking that he was willing to compromise to meet her halfway through.

"I also want a partner who knows how to express their feelings, desires, and needs without getting angry or upset. When you get married, you become so much more than romantic partners—you are partners for life. He should allow me to take part in decision-making and value my input. He should also make our marriage a priority. Who would want to marry a man who makes you feel unappreciated."

Lennox hummed and rubbed his chin. "That’s true. It makes sense, Miss Jiang. Is there something else?"

Adrienne inwardly chuckled, noticing the amusement glint in Lennox’s eyes. What was he trying to convey by asking her such things?

"A good husband also knows how to listen. He should know when to speak and when to hear me out. Respect is also important. It means that he will never cross boundaries or try to make me do something that I feel uncomfortable with."

Adrienne paused for a moment, realizing that the things she was saying were the ones she hadn’t gotten in her past life. She looked at Alistair, seeing him in deep thought. She wondered what he was thinking.

Was he reflecting on his own behavior and considering how he could convince her to marry him? Or perhaps he was contemplating the significance of her words and how they related to their non-existing relationship.

"I could say more, but I think we shouldn’t forget that he should be faithful to me. I’m quite a selfish person, you see, Mr. Qin. I don’t share what’s mine. There’s no such thing as a perfect man, but I’m confident there are many potentially good husbands out there." She gave Lennox a meaningful smile.

Lennox returned Adrienne’s smile, understanding the underlying message. He knew that Adrienne was indirectly expressing her expectations and desires for their future together. He felt a surge of determination to prove himself as one of those potentially good husbands she mentioned, ready to commit and be faithful to her.

"Indeed, finding a potentially good husband who respects your boundaries and values is essential. It’s important to prioritize your own happiness and ensure that any potential partner aligns with your needs and desires."

Alistair’s expression was a little unsightly. He had a bad feeling about this encounter between Adrienne Jiang and Lennox Qin, but he could do nothing to stop it. As he looked at Adrienne, he couldn’t understand why she would refuse him in a heartbeat but would entertain Lennox’s subtle advances instead. As a man, how could he not see the interest Lennox Qin had in Adrienne Jiang?

"Is this why you refused Mr. Han’s proposal?" Abigail’s question only fueled Alistair’s frustration.

Adrienne looked at Alistair’s expression and sneered in her heart. She knew that Alistair’s jealousy was eating him up inside, and she relished in the power it gave her over him. It was satisfying to see him squirm and look uncomfortable, knowing that she had chosen Lennox over him.

"Mr. Han and I barely knew each other. I don’t dare accept his proposal carelessly. " She answered.

Someone in the crowd daringly commented, but Adrienne recognized its voice as Valerie’s. "Miss Jiang is the Zhao family’s treasure; how could they bear to marry her out so early?"

Reese took the chance and said, "It is true that I’m unwilling to marry off Addie this early, especially with her mother’s current condition."