Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red-Chapter 231: Secret Marriage (2)

As soon as Adrienne arrived at the Zhao estate, her Uncle Reese summoned her at once to his study, no doubt to question her about the recent news about her and Lennox Qin. Adrienne was calm as she went to her uncle’s study, wondering how much he already knew. She hoped she could find the right words to explain the situation and alleviate his concerns.

She knocked on his door twice and then heard his familiar voice say, "Enter."

Adrienne entered the study immediately and saw her Uncle Reese standing next to the window behind his mahogany desk, with his back facing her. She noticed his laptop on the desk, open to the webpage featuring the news about her and Lennox. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead, and prepared to face whatever reaction her uncle might have.

Her Uncle Reese faced her this time with a stern expression on his face, his hands clasped together behind him, which Adrienne thought was a habit he had gained during his time in the military. She had always admired her uncle’s discipline and strict demeanor, but it also made her nervous in moments like these. She knew that breaking the news about Lennox would test their relationship, and she hoped that his military background would instill a sense of understanding and empathy in him.

"Take a seat, Addie." Reese gestured for her to take the seat across from him. "You have some explaining to do."

After being a first lieutenant, Reese Zhao was promoted to major after three years because of his exceptional leadership skills and unwavering dedication to his duties. He was known for his no-nonsense approach and ability to maintain composure even in the most challenging situations. Adrienne, however, had seen a softer side of him that made her believe he could handle the truth about Lennox.

"What is it that Uncle wanted to discuss with me?" Adrienne asked calmly as if she already knew the gravity of the situation. She had always been perceptive, able to sense when something important was on someone’s mind. However, deep down, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nervousness, unsure of her uncle’s reaction once she disclosed the truth about her marriage.

Upon receiving such a cold gaze from Reese Zhao, others would have trembled in fear, but not Adrienne. She had faced his piercing stare many times before, and she held her ground each time. Her resilience was a testament to her inner strength and determination. She knew that no matter her uncle’s reaction, she would stand firm in her decision and defend her marriage to Lennox.

"You are seen with Lennox Qin in Nanchuan; is this true?" Reese asked with a slight frown on his handsome face.

Adrienne met Reese’s gaze head-on, her eyes unwavering.

"Yes," she answered. She wasn’t planning to lie about her relationship with Lennox to her uncle this time. She knew being honest with her uncle was the first step towards gaining his acceptance and understanding.

Reese fell silent for a moment, and knowing him, Adrienne surmised that he was trying to come up with a logical reason why she was with Lennox Qin. This was one of the things she liked about her uncle. Reese was always thoughtful and analytical, seeking to understand situations before passing judgment. However, Adrienne knew that no matter what explanation she gave, Reese would likely struggle to accept her decision.

After a brief pause, he finally spoke up, his voice filled with concern.

"Is there something you want to tell me, Addie? When we met Lennox Qin during Prosecutor Ji’s banquet, you seemed to know each other, and now you were spotted with him in Nanchuan. I cannot force nor dictate who to love or date to you, but I hope you’ll trust me enough to be honest about your relationship with him." Reese’s eyes searched Adrienne’s face, hoping for a reassuring answer.

Although Adrienne had already expected her uncle to act like this, she was still nervous about coming clean to him. Reese had become a father figure to her over the past three years, and she didn’t want to disappoint or hurt him. Taking a deep breath, she finally mustered the courage to speak her truth.

"Uncle and others might not know about this, as only a handful of people knew about it." Adrienne became aware of how hard her heart was pounding against her chest. "The truth is, Lennox and I have been in a relationship for years, and we decided to marry. We are husband and wife now."

As the words left her lips, Adrienne could see the shock and confusion on Reese’s face. She braced herself for his reaction, hoping he would understand and support her decision. The weight of her secret finally lifted, and she felt a sense of relief in being honest about her relationship with Lennox.

Reese stared at her as if she had lost her mind. His brows furrowed, and his mouth hung open in disbelief. He struggled to find the right words to respond, his mind racing with questions about how this could have happened without him knowing.

Finally, after a long silence between them, Reese said, "I’ve always trusted your judgment and believed that you would make the right choices for yourself, but this time, I’m disappointed with you. I thought you knew better than to get involved with someone like Lennox. He’s trouble, Addie, and I can’t understand why you would put yourself in that position. Even if you’ve been in a relationship for years, which, if I may remind you, didn’t inform me as well, you are still young, Addie. Lennox Qin has many enemies waiting for him to reveal a weakness. It wouldn’t be easy for you to lead a normal life with him."

Reese would rather see her marry a commoner who wouldn’t pose any danger to her safety as long as he could love her and respect her at the same time. Adrienn was like a treasure for the Zhao family, and Reese wondered if Lennox Qin tricked his niece into marrying him.

Adrienne smiled bitterly. Reese’s reaction was the response she should have received from her father in her past life when she married Alistair Han recklessly. However, instead of chastising her, Lewis Jiang was extremely pleased to be related to Alistair Han. He saw it as an opportunity to strengthen his own position and gain favor with the powerful Han family.