Chapter 362

Adrian Valentine raised his hand to signal the driver. "Victor, head to the club."

Victor glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "Not returning to the office?"

"No." Adrian leaned back against the seat, eyes closed, exhaustion evident between his brows.

The black sedan turned into the parking lot of Royal Marquis Club. Adrian strode straight toward his reserved private room.

Just as he reached the door, something tugged at his pant leg.

Looking down, he saw a cherubic little girl beaming up at him. Her tiny front teeth peeked out as she blinked her large, sparkling eyes.

"Sophia?" Adrian crouched down, and the child immediately steadied herself against his knees to stand.

He scanned the surroundings. "Where's your mother?"

Sophia babbled and pointed at the private room door, her small fingers tightly gripping his index finger.

After a brief hesitation, Adrian took her soft little hand in his. The toddler wobbled as she walked, like an unsteady penguin.

He simply scooped her up instead. Sophia instantly wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.

Adrian froze. The child in his arms giggled, her milky scent enveloping him.

"You like me that much?" His voice softened unconsciously.

Sophia suddenly squirmed to be let down, her gaze locked onto the cake on the coffee table.

The moment Adrian set her down, she lunged for the cake, grabbing a handful of frosting and shoving it into her mouth.

"Wait!" He hastily pulled out his phone to check if babies could eat frosting.

By the time the search results loaded, Sophia's face was already smeared with cream. Adrian sighed and reached for a tissue.

As his fingers brushed her delicate cheek, memories surged without warning. That night, he had held his wife close, whispering in her ear, "Let's have a daughter. One as beautiful as you."

The way she had blushed and nodded felt as vivid as yesterday.

A cold dollop of frosting suddenly smeared across his cheek. Sophia held up her cream-covered hand, grinning at him with pure delight.

Adrian stood motionless, his heart struck by an invisible force.