Chapter 400 - 403: Like an Innocent Boy in First Love

There was no wind today. The autumn sun shone through the glass into the hospital room, filling it with warmth.

The attending physician was making his routine rounds.

Adrian Lancaster was recovering better and better. Barring any surprises, he could be discharged in a week at most.

"President Lancaster’s vitals are all stable. The sun is out today, and there’s no wind—it’s rare, beautiful weather. You can take him down to the garden for some sun, just don’t stay out too long."

"Okay." Wren Sutton took note. That was exactly what she had been thinking.

After the doctor and nurse left, the hospital room fell quiet again.

Adrian Lancaster was propped up against the headboard, his gaze fixed on the swaying tree shadows outside the window. His expression was much softer than it had been in previous days.

The caregiver wheeled over a wheelchair, preparing to help Adrian Lancaster out of bed.

"Wait a moment," Wren Sutton said, walking over. "Don’t be in such a hurry to go downstairs. Let me find a scarf first."

Adrian Lancaster turned his head, his eyes landing on her face, a gentle smile in their depths.

"Honey, I’m not that delicate. We’ll just get a bit of sun and come right back up. It’s fine if I don’t wear a scarf."

He sounded casual, but his heart ached at that moment.

His wife was so thoughtful, so thorough, taking care of him with such meticulous attention.

During all the time she had spent with him at the hospital, she had never once complained or treated him coldly. She was always so gentle, so patient, always putting his needs first.

Being loved so wholeheartedly by Wren Sutton, Adrian Lancaster felt incredibly happy.

But the stronger his happiness, the heavier the guilt and self-reproach that churned within him.

Adrian Lancaster didn’t dare to think about it too deeply, didn’t dare to ask.

’If I care about Wren so much, if I crave her tenderness this badly, why did my past self do things to hurt her? Why would I make someone so wonderful feel sad, hurt, and wronged?’

’I’m such an asshole!’

The more Wren Sutton treated him well, ignoring their past, the more Adrian Lancaster hated the muddled, wretched person he used to be.

He buried all this recurring torment and inescapable self-blame deep in his heart, refusing to let even a hint of it show.

Adrian Lancaster didn’t want to spoil Wren’s mood, didn’t want her to notice how heavily things were weighing on his mind, and certainly didn’t want to add unnecessary worries for her because of his own turmoil.

"It does matter," Wren Sutton said, looking up at Adrian Lancaster.

Her tone was soft, but her attitude was firm and non-negotiable.

"Even though there’s no wind, it’s still late autumn. Your body is still recovering, so we can’t be careless. You have to stay warm and not catch a chill."

After speaking, Wren Sutton turned to rummage through the wardrobe. She searched it inside and out but couldn’t find a scarf.

She wasn’t sure if they had a suitable men’s scarf at home, so she decided to go buy one at a nearby mall.

Watching Wren Sutton’s busy figure, Adrian Lancaster’s heart felt both warm and heavy.

"Honey, if you really can’t find it, just forget it. I can pull my collar up; that’ll keep me warm too."

"No." Wren Sutton immediately turned back, her voice still gentle but completely unyielding.

"The fabric of the clothes is stiff and will chafe your neck. A scarf is more comfortable."

"I remember there’s a mall near the hospital. I’ll go buy one."

Wren Sutton walked to the bedside and adjusted the pillow behind Adrian Lancaster to a more comfortable position for him.

Then she leaned in close and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Darling, I’ll be back soon. I won’t be long, so wait for me. Once I have the scarf, I’ll take you down to the garden for some sun."

Having been kissed, Adrian Lancaster’s heart raced—THUMP THUMP THUMP—and his ears turned red in an instant, uncontrollably, like a naive boy experiencing his first crush.

He felt as if he had fallen into a sea of flowers made of clouds. Every breath was filled with Wren Sutton’s pleasant scent—elegant and sweet, intoxicating him.

Adrian Lancaster squeezed Wren Sutton’s hand, burying all his surging emotions deep inside.

"Okay, I’ll wait for you. Be careful on the way, no need to rush."

...

The driver parked the car in the designated spot, and Wren Sutton got out and walked into the mall.

The mall had an overall modern, high-end, light luxury design.

The gleaming white marble floors were polished to a mirror finish, reflecting the crystal chandeliers on the vaulted ceiling.

Soft, warm golden light cascaded down, washing over smooth pillars and intricate carvings, exuding an air of luxury and opulence.

Soothing light music drifted through the lobby, and the air was filled with a faint, high-end fragrance.

Wren Sutton walked with an elegant gait and a composed expression. Paying no mind to anything else, she headed straight for the men’s accessories section.

The men’s scarf and accessory area was tastefully designed, with natural wood display cases paired with warm-toned spotlights that cast a soft glow.

The light highlighted the texture and soft, plush quality of the neatly hung rows of scarves, making them look exceptionally fine.

Wren Sutton slowed her pace, her fingertips brushing lightly over the cashmere fabrics as she chose quietly and carefully.

A moment later, she took down a deep, misty-gray pure cashmere scarf. Its color was calm and understated, its texture warm and soft. She thought it would suit Adrian Lancaster perfectly.

The sales associate at the counter immediately bowed and stepped forward, her posture poised and respectful.

"Ma’am, you have excellent taste. This scarf is a limited-edition pure cashmere model from the current season. Its style is understated yet sophisticated, perfect for a mature gentleman."

"If you like it, I can ring it up and package it for you right now."

Wren Sutton nodded without hesitation. "Yes, I’ll take this one. Please ring it up."

The words had barely left her mouth when the scarf was suddenly snatched from her hand.

Wren Sutton frowned slightly, her back remaining ramrod straight, a flicker of displeasure crossing her eyes.

She turned to see that the person who had snatched the scarf was, of all people, Claire Bennett.

Claire Bennett was wearing a pale pink dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders. She had a deceptively innocent smile on her face, showing no sign that she thought anything was wrong with her actions.

She held the scarf gently in her arms, with no intention of returning it.

The sales associate froze on the spot, a troubled look on her face, and quickly tried to intervene.

"Miss, I do apologize, but this lady had already selected this scarf. Perhaps you could look at some other styles."

Claire Bennett ignored the sales associate. Her gaze fell on Wren Sutton, her smile laced with unconcealed provocation and a sense of superiority.

"Mrs. Lancaster, what a coincidence. To think I’d run into you while shopping. And what’s even more coincidental is that I’ve taken a liking to this scarf as well."

"Why don’t you let me have it? What do you say?"

Wren Sutton let out a cold laugh. "Miss Bennett, you must be joking. Why should I give you the scarf I chose? Who do you think you are?"

Claire Bennett didn’t get angry at all. Instead, she asked pleasantly, "If I’m not mistaken, you’re buying this scarf for President Lancaster, aren’t you?"

Wren Sutton didn’t say a word, silently watching her performance as if she were a clown.

"Then you have all the more reason to give this scarf to me and pick another one. This color doesn’t suit President Lancaster at all. He won’t like it."

Claire Bennett’s tone was smug, as if she wanted to write ’I know Adrian Lancaster better than you, his wife’ right across her face.

This was no longer just a provocation; it was a blatant declaration of ownership, a deliberate attempt to embarrass Wren Sutton and put her in an impossible position.

However, Wren Sutton wasn’t falling for it.

She remained perfectly calm and composed, never losing her poise. Her gaze toward Claire Bennett was filled with disdain, as if she couldn’t be bothered to argue with her.

"Give me back the scarf."

Claire Bennett played dumb, ignoring Wren Sutton and clutching the scarf tightly in her hands, determined to claim it for herself.

’It’s just a scarf. So what if I don’t give it back? I’d like to see what Wren Sutton can do to me.’

... The sales associate secretly rolled her eyes.

’This is the first time I’ve ever met someone so shameless. She won’t pay for it, but she insists on hogging it. Just pay for the damn thing already!’

The situation reached a stalemate. Wren Sutton wasn’t the type to get hysterical, and she couldn’t be bothered to argue with a clown like Claire Bennett, lest it lower her own standing.

She turned to the sales associate, her tone calm and gentle, carrying the natural, steady presence of Mrs. Lancaster.

"You can testify for me that I was the one who selected this item first, correct?"

The sales associate nodded. "Yes."

Wren Sutton smiled and said, "Thank you."

"Now that this item has been forcibly taken and the person refuses to return it, which is affecting the counter’s normal business, please contact the floor manager and mall security to handle this."

The sales associate didn’t hesitate. She agreed immediately and took out her phone to make the call.

The smug smile on Claire Bennett’s face froze instantly. She lowered her voice to vent her displeasure.

"It’s just a scarf, why do you have to be so unreasonable? Do you have to make a huge scene so everyone knows before you’re satisfied?"

Wren Sutton gave her a cool, detached glance.

"First come, first served is the rule of the mall. I will not give up something I chose first to anyone."

Her words were brief and powerful, without a single wasted syllable.

"You can either return it right now, or you can wait for the manager and security. I’ll see this through to the end."

Wren Sutton’s calm and dignified posture made the tense-faced Claire Bennett seem all the more petty and unreasonable.

Whispers rose from the people around them, and gazes fell upon Claire Bennett, making her feel as if she had needles on her back. It was humiliating.

She was also worried that if the situation escalated, her identity would be exposed, attracting the attention of the Lancaster family and causing unnecessary trouble.

So, before the manager and security could arrive, Claire Bennett shot Wren Sutton a harsh glare, reluctantly tossed the scarf onto the counter, and turned to leave in humiliation.

Wren Sutton stood rooted to the spot, her eyes following Claire Bennett’s retreating figure. She subconsciously focused on her posture as she walked, the way she strode, the silhouette of her shoulders and back, the swing of her arms...

As she watched, Wren Sutton’s expression suddenly changed. Her pupils contracted abruptly, as if she had just discovered a secret.

The way Claire Bennett walked was strikingly similar to the way the "cousin" in the surveillance video walked.