Chapter 6: I Want Him to Get Lost on His Own
Over the next three days, Sia kept watching Caesar closely.
She learned all the wedding details from her mother, including how Caesar had signed the marriage contract knowing full well it was a death trap.
This made Sia even more cautious.
Why would a man who could crush Blackwater bodyguards and ignore Mayan witchcraft humble himself to join the Adams family?
There was only one answer: he had his own agenda.
But three days passed, and Caesar showed no signs of anything unusual.
Job Adams even publicly claimed Caesar was a great benefactor to the family and held a small press conference to clear things up.
Under the camera lights, he publicly thanked Caesar, saying his unwavering devotion had moved God and led to his daughter's miraculous recovery.
Caesar wore a sharp suit with a smile on his face, shaking hands with Job, playing out a perfectly harmonious scene.
Only Job himself knew that every time he met Caesar's gaze, his back would be soaked with cold sweat.
The night the press conference ended, he sat alone in his study for three hours without turning on the lights.
Inside the estate, Caesar's behavior could only be described as that of a "perfect husband."
Every morning, he personally pushed Sia's wheelchair through the garden for half an hour.
The Adams Estate's garden was built into the hillside, with gravel paths lined with olive trees and lavender transplanted from the Mediterranean.
Sea breezes rolled up from the cliffs below, carrying a salty dampness.
After their walk came breakfast.
Knowing Sia liked quiet, he had a glass greenhouse on the east side of the estate converted into her private study. It was filled with philosophy and economics books she loved before her coma, with a custom oak desk by the window positioned to catch the best light between nine and eleven in the morning.
At lunch, he would chat with Sia about interesting stories from overseas.
Like navigation ceremonies of native tribes on some Pacific island, or ancient Roman gold coins salvaged from a Mediterranean shipwreck.
He avoided all sensitive topics, only showing his witty and knowledgeable side.
After dinner, he'd watch an old movie with Sia, then personally warm a glass of milk and watch her drink it before leaving.
All of this was observed by Sia's personal maid and family members watching from the shadows.
At first, everyone thought this was Caesar's act.
But Caesar's performance was flawless, with no signs of impatience or overstepping.
Rebecca grew increasingly satisfied.
Even some family members who had been skeptical of Caesar began to think he might actually be quite decent.
But Sia's beautiful eyes remained watchful.
The more perfect Caesar appeared, the heavier her unease grew.
Finally, one afternoon in the sunroom, as Caesar gently draped a blanket over her shoulders, Sia put down her book.
"Had enough of the act?" she asked quietly.
"You can fool everyone else, but not me. Tell me, what's your real purpose for staying here?"
This time, her tone carried not just caution, but also a hint of irritation at having her boundaries invaded.
Facing Sia's direct question, Caesar's movements didn't pause at all.
He tucked in the blanket, then sat down in the wicker chair across from her, dropping the mask of the gentle husband. The atmosphere in the sunroom instantly became oppressive.
Caesar interlaced his fingers and said calmly, "Since you don't want to play the warm family game anymore, let's talk business. I need to use the Adams family's intelligence network to investigate the real cause of my parents' deaths ten years ago."
Sia's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Your parents' deaths? Wasn't that an accident..."
"It was murder," Caesar interrupted her, his voice heavy. "A murder triggered by me, orchestrated by the Phoenix family, that ultimately drove my parents to suicide. But there are some details I need to clarify."
"Like who the person with the black star on their left shoulder is. The Julius family can't do it, but you Adams are one of the nine great families—you must have the intelligence I need."
At the mention of the Phoenix family, Sia's expression became serious for the first time.
She fell silent for a moment, as if weighing her options.
Above the glass dome of the sunroom, a seagull circled twice before landing on the roof.
After a long while, she looked up and said, "I can help you. But can you afford what I want in return?"
"Let's hear it," Caesar said.
"First, I can mobilize all the resources at my disposal to provide you with core information about the Phoenix family, including leads on that 'black star.' But once you find them, what will you do?" Sia asked.
"An eye for an eye, blood for blood," Caesar said.
The killing intent was so real it seemed to drop the temperature in the sunroom several degrees.
Sia nodded with satisfaction. "That's exactly what I want. The Phoenix family has been pressing the Adams family at every turn these past few years. My accident—though my father sealed off the information, I suspect they're involved too."
"If you help me eliminate this major threat, you'll be helping me and the Adams family."
She paused, her tone becoming absolutely firm.
"Second, and most important! During this time, we're husband and wife in name only. But privately, we must maintain absolute distance."
"You're just an ally and actor I've hired. You cannot interfere with any of my decisions, and you cannot exercise any 'husband's' rights."
"If you agree, we'll have a pleasant cooperation. If not, please take your secrets and leave immediately."
Caesar looked at the woman before him.
Cold, rational, using every resource available—this was what a top-tier heir should be like.
For the first time, he felt a hint of admiration for her.
He stood up and extended his hand. "Deal. Sia, happy cooperation."
Sia glanced at his hand, hesitated briefly, then nodded.
"The first piece of intelligence is a welcome gift," she said, her voice returning to calm. "Tomorrow night the family is holding a welcome banquet for you. You'll find someone interesting there."
That evening, an uninvited guest arrived at Job's study.
"Sir, word has come from the Phoenix family," the butler said quietly.
Job put down his cigar, his expression serious.
"They said they heard Ms. Adams has recovered and congratulate the Adams family."
"Congratulations?" Job laughed coldly. "They'd love nothing more than for Sia to never wake up."
"There's one more thing," the butler lowered his voice. "The Phoenix family has hinted they'd like a marriage alliance with the Adams family."
Job's eyes lit up.
The Phoenix family was among the top three of the nine great families.
If they could marry into the Phoenix family, the Adams family's status would rise dramatically.
But first, that man named Caesar at Sia's side had to disappear.
"Tomorrow, send out invitations for a recovery celebration for Sia," Job said slowly. "Invite all the wealthy merchants and celebrities, and... the Julius family."
The butler was stunned. "The Julius family?"
"Let them see with their own eyes what Caesar's status is in the Adams family," Job said, a cold glint in his eyes. "If a man is looked down upon even by his own family, what right does he have to stay?"
