Adrian wasn't stupid.
He was no longer the Liam Hayes who used to be manipulated by others. He was Adrian Cross.
And the maid, Miss Cherie, was a real snake.
With a gentle smile on her face, she was actually a mole planted by the family branch of his father's mistress.
She had pinpointed the insecurity in Liam Hayes' heart as his Achilles heel which was his fondness for dressing up as a girl. So she secretly fueled the fire, praising him, coaxing him, and even taking photos of him when he was on makeup or wigs to send to her masters.
The purpose was simple: to ruin the heir.
After all, who would let someone who can't even figure out their own gender take over as the heir?
Of course, Adrian knew all this.
After waking up, he inherited all the memories of this body. So, the scene this morning was just an act. He was simply playing along with her, but he didn't expect Ethan to react that way.
Ethan was angry. He was even more stunned by the flirtatious "Good morning, hubby～".
His already cold eyes grew even icier. He couldn't understand. Was that an attempt to appease him or provoke him?
Furious, he reached out and grasped Adrian's wrist, pulling him away from the maid.
Miss Cherie was so scared that she took two steps back.
The grip was too tight, and Adrian frowned slightly, but he still smiled. Just as Ethan was about to speak, Butler Ray intervened.
"Mr. Ethan, you shouldn't lose your temper with the young master in front of the servants."
Ray's tone was steady, but with a hint of warning. "After all, the young master was ill last night, perhaps... this is just a reaction to the condition."
His words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing Ethan's anger.
Ethan was silent for a moment, then looked up, coldly scanning the maid.
"From today on, keep a close eye on him." Ethan's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. "When I'm not around, he is not allowed to step out of the house without my permission. Especially—he is not allowed to speak to anyone."
The last sentence was clearly directed at Miss Cherie.
With a flick of his sleeve, Ethan turned and left.
He had dreams to chase. That restaurant was his last thread of freedom from the family. If he failed he would have to return to the Forrest family, inheriting a pile of cold money and an arranged marriage.
Adrian watched the retreating figure, his lips slowly curling up into a smile.
Butler Ray's heart sank. For a moment, he thought he saw the smile of a hunter. But denial is a river.
"Young master, please follow me upstairs. Mr. Ethan has ordered you to return to your room." Ray spoke softly.
He secretly vowed to himself, 'If the young master actually listens, I'll wear a pink wig today!'
Adrian smiled lightly. "Since it's his order, I naturally have to obey."
Butler Ray: "..."
He actually... actually agreed?!
Adrian turned around with a pleased smile and headed upstairs.
The sound of running water could be heard in the bathroom. Adrian washed away the fragrance and powder, changing into a fresh set of clothes. An ordinary white shirt and jeans.
However, this so-called "ordinary white shirt" had a ridiculously long silk ribbon at the collar, seemingly begging to be tied into a bow. So feminine.
As for the jeans, it wasn't any masculine or better than feminine. There were stickers plastered on the knees, buttocks, and thighs—"Hello Kitty" and "Sweetheart Girl" stickers.
Adrian stared at his reflection in the mirror.
Without makeup, his face was pale and chiseled, with a high nose bridge, slightly upturned eyes, and a natural curve to his lips.
He was ridiculously handsome. He was almost beautiful. It was no wonder, in his past life, the original owner of this body chose to become a woman. He easily looked as attractive as a high paying female model.
He raised his hand to touch the faint freckles on his face, chuckling softly. These were the same freckles Liam Hayes in the past life paid millions for to wash away.
He smiled, "So silly... to hate this face of mine."
The reflection in the mirror smiled. The smile hid a sharp edge and calculation.
In this lifetime, it was his turn to take control of the game.
Adrian's gaze suddenly fell on an old photo on the wall by the mirror. In the photo was a complete family of his father (Monroe Hayes), mother (Natalie Jude Hayes), grandfather from his mother's side (Grandpa Jude), and three children around his age of three years old.
He stared at the woman with a bright smile, his fingertips trembling slightly. Memories began to surface in his mind.
Liam Hayes' mother had left when he was five. Without any explanation, not even her own father, Grandpa Jude, knew where she went.
After that, his grandfather became the major shareholder of the Hayes family, repeatedly atoning for his daughter with investments and funds, trying to fill the void left by his daughter with wealth.
But Liam Hayes never appreciated it. He resented and hated his grandfather, hated the charity.
In his eyes, if the old man had taught his daughter about responsibility back then, she wouldn't have abandoned her own child. Past-life Liam grew up with such hatred for Grandpa Jude. And until his death, he never saw his grandfather again.
Adrian's lips curled up slightly.
"In that life, you were consumed by hatred. In this life... I'll treasure everything for you." He whispered softly, his voice so gentle it didn't sound like his own.
He had already decided that Tonight, he would meet with the old man.
Just as he was thinking that, a knock came from outside the door. "Young master."
It was Butler Ray.
Adrian came back to himself. "Come in."
Butler Ray walked in respectfully, holding a gold-edged invitation card.
"This invitation came from the old mansion." He bowed his head slightly, his tone courteous. "Today is the old master's birthday banquet."
Adrian was taken aback. Coincidentally, he had just been thinking about him. He knew this day would come but he didn't expect it to be today, the 6th of May 2015.
"I know, I'll go."
Butker Ray was clearly taken aback. "Young master... are you sure? The old master has never blamed you for not attending… since your father is away, if you go alone... it might be awkward. Why not just send flowers and a congratulatory message like previous years?"
Adrian shook his head, his expression calm but resolute.
"I won't be alone." He smiled faintly, "Ask Mr. Ethan to accompany me."
Ray looked up, almost thinking he had misheard. "Mr. Ethan?"
"Yes." Adrian's tone was unyielding.
"Go tell him I'll be honored if he joins me as my 'guest'. If he refuses... just tell him this: Liam Hayes doesn't lack company, but I only want him."
Butler Ray: "…"
Ray was momentarily speechless. He hesitated for a moment, then nodded and agreed. "I'll go inform him right away."
After sending the butler away, Adrian turned and walked towards the party wear closet.
The closet was filled with neatly arranged clothes, from suits to gowns, from silk shirts to long dresses. He browsed through them casually, but his eyes landed on a jarring splash of pink in the corner.
It was a... bunny girl outfit. Tight-fitting, revealing, with lace and fluffy tail.
Adrian was stunned for a moment, and then memories came flooding back like a tidal wave.
In his past life, when Liam Hayes received this outfit, he thought it was an uncle's joke.
That benevolent uncle of his, Marcus Hayes—Monroe Hayes' younger brother, had gotten him this slutty attire.
On the surface, that man was the calm and dependable vice president of the family. But behind closed doors… he was a hidden demon.
He kept saying he wanted to help Liam with plastic surgery on his buttocks to make him more beautiful. He swore he'd pay for a Brazilian butt surgery for his dear nephew. But in truth, that was where the manipulation, coercion, and violation began.
He had given his nephew this outfit and told him to wait on his call. Months after Grandpa Jude's birthday when Monroe Hayes was not around again, Marcus Hayes called Liam Hayes out to a hotel and knocked him out with a drug then r*ped his ass.
After that night, Liam's world completely shattered. He totally gave himself to his uncle to sleep with every month for that Brazilian butt surgery that he never got.
Adrian's fingers tightened slightly as he brushed over the piece of clothing.
"Marcus Hayes." He sneered. "Did you really think your prey was still that naïve Liam Hayes in this life time?"
He lifted his head. In the mirror, his reflection smiled, but in his eyes flickered a glint of cold, merciless light.
"Why wait for months to come before we meet? Heh, let's meet tonight at Grandpa's birthday, dear uncle."