ANMELDENBy the time Francesco reached the roadside, Mars had already arrived.He got into the back seat, took out the black cat figurine, and turned it over in his hands, replaying Adriana's words again and again. Something about them didn't sit right.When they arrived at the estate, Mars caught sight of the object and lowered his voice in warning. "Sir, be careful with Miss Bianca's things."Bianca was stubborn—once she got angry, she was hard to appease.A chill ran through Francesco. "This belongs to Bianca?""Yes. It was a gift from a Mitalian fortune-telling witch. Miss Bianca always kept it on the windowsill. I thought it was a bit inauspicious and wanted to put it away, but she refused no matter what."Something clicked in Francesco's mind. He strode quickly into Bianca's room.The windowsill was empty.Could it be… this black cat figurine had been given to Adriana by Bianca?He immediately dialed Bianca's number. The call was answered by a servant in Mitaly."Sir, Miss Bianc
Francesco turned to Adriana. "Where are you living now?""I was staying at Bella's place for a while. And I've moved into the company dorms."She didn't hide it. He had likely already heard that she'd moved out of the Slater residence."It's still early. Let's go to your dorm."With that, Francesco slid straight into the passenger seat.Adriana couldn't figure out what he was up to this time, but she had no choice except to take him there."Come in. It's small—sorry to make you stoop to inspect a place like this."Francesco chuckled and stepped inside without ceremony."I'll head back first, then."Oliver raised his keys, his gaze drifting toward the neighboring dorm door.Adriana shot him a pleading look. "Stay for a bit."She truly didn't want to be alone with Francesco—there were too many uncertainties between them."Alright."As if he'd been waiting for her to say that, Oliver agreed readily.Francesco dropped onto the sofa, stretching out casually as he surveyed the
Adriana drove to Paradigm Group to pick up Francesco.He slid leisurely into the passenger seat. When he noticed the car heading in the opposite direction of the estate, he raised a brow. "Where are you taking me?""To dinner."Adriana's reply was brief.If she dropped him off at the estate first and then went to meet Oliver, she wouldn't make it in time. She had no choice but to bring him along.Francesco turned to look at her, his tone teasing. "Is this a date?"Adriana shot him a glare. So the rumors about how open things were overseas seemed to be true.Francesco was a prime example—clearly married, yet still making flippant remarks to his ex.Of course, for others, it might pass as flirting. With him, it was nothing but mockery.It was rush hour, and it took Adriana quite a while to find parking.She led Francesco into a narrow alley, where lanterns hung along both sides of the street.The aroma of food drifted through the warm yellow glow of the lights, adding a cozy c
"If she hadn't helped me this time, I wouldn't even have had the ability to fight back."The tension in Chris's face eased as he reached out to pull Joan into his arms.She dodged him and shot him a glare. "I just came to let you know. I'm leaving."Dean's reaction earlier had already dispelled her urge to expose the secret. If she said anything now, he would only force her to keep it. And if the truth ever came out later, Dean would be the first to suspect her.Better to keep the secret in her own hands. It involved both the Reeves and Slater families—sooner or later, it would prove useful.With that thought, the gloom stirred up by Dean faded away.The elevator doors opened, revealing Daisy inside."Mrs. Slater, the Chairman is in his office."Daisy cast Joan a brief glance, then ignored her completely.She despised women who intruded on other people's marriages. If her own mother hadn't been lured by power into becoming the other woman, she herself would never have been b
When Adriana arrived at Slater Group the next day, no one openly gossiped about her anymore. But their eyes still betrayed them—filled with disdain and disgust, as if she had stolen something from them.Prejudice in people's hearts was like a vast ocean. Adriana had neither the time nor the energy to argue with each of them. As long as things didn't go too far, she could let it pass.It was hard for her to truly hate anyone. Even when she got angry, it never lasted long.That afternoon, someone knocked lightly on her office door and called out softly, "Adriana."When Adriana saw who it was, a smile lit up her face."Daisy! Are you here to see Dean?"She pulled out a chair for Daisy to sit, then went to pour tea.They had both been busy lately and hadn't seen each other in a while."I heard from Oliver that you're working here, so I came by to take a look.""Are you close with Oliver?" Adriana asked.The last time she had accompanied Daisy to the Reeves family's banquet, she'd
Joan shoved away Dean's wandering hand and leaned smoothly into his chest."So the only person to blame is you—you for dragging your feet and not divorcing that old hag you call wife."Dean toyed with the strands of hair scattered across his body. "I need Daisy's family's support."Joan let out a cold snort. "What about our son?""You two should go abroad. I'll provide for your living expenses.""I'm not leaving." Joan sat up, teeth clenched in hatred.The moment she left, it would only make things easier for Adriana. She had finally managed to drive Adriana out of the Slater family—there was no way she would admit defeat now."If you'd just taken care of Adriana last time, I wouldn't have to put up with this."A sharp crash rang out as the champagne glass in Dean's hand shattered against the floor. Liquid splashed everywhere, shards scattering across the ground.He grabbed Joan by the collar, his gaze vicious."And whose fault is that? You went crazy last time—insisted on ki
Adriana stepped forward with calm composure. "Dean, gentlemen, this really isn't such a big deal. I'm sorry you had to make the trip."Dean got straight to the point. "Where's Chris?""He's in his ward. The doctor has instructed that no one disturb him for now, and he doesn't wish to see anyone."
Chris had fractured two ribs and suffered multiple broken bones. After enduring a night of bitter cold, he had then plunged into the icy river, leaving him in even worse condition than last time.One phone call from Alex was enough to summon Alex's grandfather, George Nash, back from the south, whe
Seeing the wicked glint at the corner of Francesco's eyes, a sense of foreboding rose in Adriana's chest.She lifted the binoculars. The moment the cross-river bridge came into view, she saw a figure climb over the unguarded end of the bridge and plunge into the river below.Even from a distance,
Alex skimmed through the two articles in the newspaper, then crumpled it into a ball and tossed it into the trash.If Chris saw the second article, he would only get angry all over again."And this Francesco… his remarks are completely inappropriate.""Achoo!"Francesco, lounging against the edg







