Chapter 1069: Chapter 1069: Let Me Hug My Girlfriend to Satisfy My Craving
Adam Piers went back to the ward. Bertha Swift had just comforted her mother. Seeing him come in, she looked up, “Did they leave?”
“Yes, they won’t bother you anymore,” Adam replied casually.
Bertha didn’t know what Adam had done but instinctively believed him. However, her mother’s condition wasn’t great, and she was a bit worried.
Adam noticed Bertha’s concern, “After your scenes are wrapped up, I’ll take Aunt abroad for a while to relax.”
“Mom, is that okay?” Bertha also thought her mother needed a change of environment. Staying in the country meant having to deal with the Swift family’s mess from time to time. Although Milne Swift said he would kick Martha Maud and her son out of the Swift house, who believes that?
Even if he does it now, it’s likely for the company’s sake. She knew Milne Swift’s character well. He might pretend not to care about anyone, but he would never abandon his son.
Back when the Roberts family was wealthy, he didn’t dare to be too brazen towards her mother and herself. Later, when the Roberts fell from grace and became just a regular family in Swallow City, Milne Swift’s true nature was exposed.
For now, he might restrain himself for the sake of the company, but who knows what tricks he’ll pull next?
Moreover, with Martha Maud’s manipulative nature, it would be surprising if she didn’t try to flaunt her power to mom someday. Instead of letting mom risk another incident, it might be better to do as Adam suggested and let her go abroad to relax.
Mrs. Swift hadn’t expected Adam to suggest this. She met her daughter’s concerned gaze and hesitated. She wanted to escape her current life but couldn’t bear to leave Bertha, “Bertha, what will you do if I leave?”
“Don’t worry, Aunt. I’ll take good care of Bertha. The Swift is facing difficulties, and chaos is inevitable within the family. They will try every way to survive. Bertha has the lead in Director Locke’s production, and it’s just a matter of time before she becomes famous. When that happens, the Swift family will undoubtedly become entangled, and you leaving will be perfect for Bertha…”
“Whether she leaves or not is my mom’s decision. Don’t say such things.” Adam, afraid Mrs. Swift would be reluctant to leave Bertha behind, directly spoke his mind, but was interrupted by Bertha’s glance.
He closed his mouth in time but knew Mrs. Swift understood his intentions.
As expected, Mrs. Swift spoke the next moment, “Adam is right. If I stay, I’ll only be used by them against you. Besides, I indeed want a change of environment. I’ve been stuck in Swallow City, restricted by the Swift family all these years, revolving around one man, only to be completely betrayed and abandoned. I’d rather go out to see the world.”
“Mom…”
“Alright, it’s decided then.” Mrs. Swift interrupted again to prevent her daughter from feeling burdened, “I’ll keep in touch with you often while abroad, so don’t worry about me.”
Bertha pressed her lips together and nodded, “Mom, thank you.”
“Silly child, why thank me? It should be me thanking you. Without you, I wouldn’t have had the courage to leave the Swift house and would be humiliated every day by him…” Mentioning that family, Mrs. Swift’s eyes turned red again.
Although she and Milne Swift weren’t childhood sweethearts, they were young married partners. She had thought they could grow old together, but things turned out differently. She didn’t even know when the person beside her began to betray her.
“Alright, Mom don’t say it anymore, let the past stay in the past, you’re not yet fifty, life still holds many possibilities.” Bertha interrupted her mother’s unpleasant memories, softly encouraging her.
Mrs. Swift returned to her senses, finding it amusing to repeat, “Life holds many possibilities… Silly child.”
Bertha didn’t dwell on the matter with her mother and switched to a lighter topic, “Where would you like to go, Mom?”
The question stumped Mrs. Swift momentarily, leaving her speechless.
Adam poked Bertha lightly and spoke gently to Mrs. Swift, “No rush, Aunt. You can take your time thinking about it. I have properties in many places abroad, and wherever you wish to go, arrangements can be made.”
“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you…” Mrs. Swift felt a bit embarrassed. She hadn’t been very supportive of Adam and Bertha’s relationship at first, but now, both the matter with Milne Swift and going abroad were things he was helping with.
“No trouble at all. I’m Bertha’s boyfriend, and I’ll be like a son to you in the future, doing these things is expected,” Adam responded quickly, as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
Sure enough, Mrs. Swift was taken aback, “Boyfriend?”
Bertha gave Adam a playful look before nodding shyly to her mother, “Mom, we’re together.”
“Hmm… That’s good.” Mrs. Swift paused. She had suspected it, but hearing the kids say it directly felt different. Still, after these days, she was more satisfied with Adam, saying it was good before looking at Adam seriously again, “Are you serious about Bertha? Do you plan to marry her?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
Bertha and Adam responded almost simultaneously.
But Adam said yes, while Bertha said no.
Mrs. Swift looked at them with a complex expression.
Adam held Bertha’s hand, not allowing her to interrupt, then seriously answered Mrs. Swift, “I am serious about Bertha, and about marriage, as long as Bertha agrees, I can propose to her anytime.”
“Then I’m relieved.” Mrs. Swift saw Adam’s sincere gaze. Though there were countless questions within her, she understood that love couldn’t be forced by asking too much. Long vows were pointless, what Adam guaranteed now could become irrelevant if he changed his heart someday.
Just like how Milne Swift had forgotten all his promises to her.
While she couldn’t be sure of the future, it was evident that Adam cared deeply for Bertha at this moment.
The only thing she could do was urge Bertha not to be as naive as she was.
After Adam left, Mrs. Swift held Bertha’s hand, “Bertha…”
Bertha listened to a whole list of instructions from her mother, about how men’s words couldn’t be fully trusted, how to win a man’s heart, and always keeping a level head, having her own savings… A whole bunch of life advice that made Bertha drowsy.
After finally calming her mother down, Bertha stepped out only to face Adam’s enlarged handsome face. She looked at him in surprise, “Why haven’t you left yet?”
“On the second day together, you’re already tired of me?” Adam asked discontentedly.
Bertha sighed, “Who’s tired of you? I was surprised you didn’t leave after half an hour.”
“Of course I was waiting for you,” Adam said, holding Bertha’s hand and looking at her face intently.
Bertha, feeling nervous from his gaze, took a step back and stole a glance down the corridor, whispering, “This is a hospital, don’t be inappropriate.”
“I’m just checking if your face is okay. What’s it got to do with being in a hospital?” Adam raised an eyebrow in response.
Only then did Bertha realize she misunderstood him, her cheeks turning bright red, “It’s nothing, my face is much better now. Don’t you have scenes this afternoon? You should go.”
Saying this, Bertha pushed Adam away.
Adam Piers held her hand even tighter, “I’m not leaving. Tell me, what did you just think I was going to do?”
“I didn’t think you were going to do anything!” Bertha Swift said, slightly flustered and embarrassed.
“Already angry?” Adam chuckled lightly, pulling Bertha Swift to walk outside.
Just then, a few female nurses walked by in the corridor, looking at the two of them curiously.
Bertha Swift noticed Adam wasn’t wearing a mask, hurriedly pulling him to jog to the elevator. She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a mask for Adam.
Her actions were swift and seamless, and Adam was very cooperative, smiling at her throughout.
Bertha Swift felt a bit uneasy being watched, “What are you looking at? Don’t you know you’re an actor? If you get recognized, it’ll be very troublesome.”
“Oh, I thought you were worried that your boyfriend’s good looks would get unwanted attention from other women. Is that it? Bertha Swift, you’re too heartless,” Adam looked disappointed.
Bertha’s forehead twitched slightly hearing this, this drama king!
“Just shut up.” Seeing more people looking their way, Bertha covered Adam’s mouth with her hand, and as soon as the elevator door opened, she dragged him inside.
In the hospital’s usually crowded elevator, miraculously, there was no one else inside. Adam wrapped his long arm around Bertha’s slender waist, making it easier for her to cover his mouth.
But with no one in the elevator, Bertha didn’t need to keep covering his mouth anymore. She released her hand, feeling both shy and annoyed, “Let go of me!”
“No.” Adam refused without a second thought.
Bertha couldn’t help but glare at him, only to see Adam lift her waist slightly with a roguish charm, then complained with his nose almost touching hers, “I’ve been busy all morning, let me hug my girlfriend to relieve my cravings.”
“You… mm…” Bertha’s heart fluttered at his words, and just as she was about to say something, the tall man embraced her tighter, causing her nose to bump into his chin. She uttered a light sound, hesitating to speak further, but feeling his solid muscles and the warmth higher than hers, she blushed and fell silent, letting Adam hug her.
It wasn’t until someone else entered the elevator that Bertha struggled to push Adam away, but her face was flushed from the teasing, too embarrassed to lift her head, burying it in Adam’s chest until they reached the elevator door.
Once in the car, Adam noticed Bertha’s blushing face, pausing for a moment before chuckling. He had always thought this woman was cold and arrogant, but now he realized he might have misunderstood her at the start.
The so-called aloofness and arrogance might just be a facade of this woman’s, her true self was surprisingly soft.
“Stop laughing.” Feeling uncomfortable with Adam’s laughter, Bertha softly snorted, raising her eyes to glare at him.
Adam, acting cheeky, leaned in to kiss her eyes, then asked seriously, “Are you shy?”
Who would ask something so obvious, Bertha kept a straight face and stayed silent.
Adam laughed more happily, knowing Bertha was tempted to get out of the car, he grabbed her, “Alright, I’m not laughing. Don’t be shy, I was being honest earlier, I really crave you.”
Bertha’s face helplessly flushed red again, looking at Adam with a mix of shame and anger. She suddenly realized this man was quite flirtatious, was it due to experience?
Thinking of this, Bertha felt a pang of jealousy.
Adam didn’t know where Bertha’s thoughts had wandered off to, leaning in to peck her lips, “What do you want to eat?”
“Anything.” Bertha felt sour inside, responding to Adam without much enthusiasm.
Noticing something off with Bertha, Adam lifted her chin, “What’s ‘anything’?”
“Anything is fine, let’s talk about the Swift family.” Knowing her own state was odd, Bertha switched the topic to avoid spiraling into inexplicable emotions.
“What’s there to talk about? Don’t worry, I won’t let the Swift family go bankrupt just like that.” Mentioning the Swift family, Adam thought of Milne Swift’s ruthless actions against Bertha, a trace of menace flickered in his eyes.
Bertha frowned slightly as she listened, “Don’t interfere in the Swift family affairs. Milne Swift neither excels in medicine nor has any business talent. Swift’s poor management destined it to go bankrupt sooner or later. If you step in now, who knows how he’ll cling to you. Though you can deal with it, it’s ultimately disturbing.”
“Are you worried about me?” Adam raised an eyebrow joyfully.
Bertha immediately shut her mouth.
Adam chuckled softly, wickedly leaning to nibble Bertha’s earlobe, “I appreciate your concern, but can you really bear to see Swift crumble? I heard that Swift consumed your grandfather’s life’s work.”
Adam’s mischievous smile and the amorous bite left Bertha’s heart in a daze, and with the mention of her grandfather, her eyes dimmed, lost for words for a while.
Indeed, Swift consumed her grandfather’s life’s work.
If there was anyone in the Swift family Bertha most revered, it was her grandfather. Unlike her grandmother’s preference for boys over girls, her grandfather had always valued her deeply. Her upbringing, backed by the Swift family’s finest resources, was largely thanks to him. He even once envisioned her as the heir to Swift, showing much hope for her future.
Regrettably, once her grandfather passed, everything changed.
As for her, she abandoned medicine to venture into the entertainment industry.
After a while, Bertha lifted her head, softly murmuring, “I have disappointed Grandpa.”
If her grandfather knew she gave up on Swift, he would surely be heartbroken. But given her current situation, what could she do for Swift?
“Have you ever thought about taking over Swift yourself?” Adam observed Bertha’s emotions, then shifted the topic, seriously asking her.
Bertha’s eyes widened in surprise at Adam’s ambitious idea, momentarily shaken, but she soon shook her head, “It’s not possible. Milne Swift holds the majority stake in Swift, and aside from the second branch, the rest are the granny’s. None of them would hand Swift over to me.”
Adam raised an eyebrow slightly after hearing this; this foolish woman kept emphasizing others wouldn’t hand over the company to her, but never mentioned she didn’t want it.
“Oh, I see.” Adam did not pursue the topic further, ending it with a simple “oh.”
Bertha was stirred by his words but had long ceased to be the self-righteous Swift family’s eldest daughter. She quickly composed herself, content with Milne’s promise to expel Martha Maud and her son from the Swift family, ensuring they wouldn’t disturb her and her mother anymore.
As for the rest, she would earn it slowly.
“We’re here.” Just as Bertha was lost in thought, the driver notified them that they had arrived at the restaurant.
Bertha collected her scattered thoughts and allowed Adam to lead her out of the car.