Masuk"Oliver, this is your favorite. Try it and see how it tastes."Oliver didn't notice anything unusual. He simply treated it as a normal interaction between friends."Pretty authentic," he said with a nod."Are you in a hurry to get back to Heatherton City? If not, I can stay with you here for a few more days."As she spoke, Adriana glanced at Francesco from the corner of her eye.As expected, his usually composed, noble expression had darkened noticeably.How ridiculous. When she had once tried to cling to him, he had treated her like something worthless. Yet now, the moment she interacted with another man, he was displeased again.Oliver sighed helplessly. "I'd like to stay a few more days, but the lab can't function without me. If you were still there, I wouldn't have to work so hard."Adriana smiled gently. "Then work a little harder. Maybe one day I'll go back and surprise you.""Looks like I can only keep waiting then."The two of them chatted back and forth, clearly in g
The next morning, Adriana met up with Oliver downstairs at the hotel, and they set off together for the conference.Francesco and Bianca came down to see her off.Seeing Francesco, Oliver asked with a smile, "Francesco, you're one of the top investors in the scientific research field. Aren't you going to join in the excitement?""Someone from my family going is enough."As he spoke, Francesco's gaze landed on Adriana, his expression unreadable."I checked the schedule. The conference ends at 4:30 p.m. I'll come with Bianca to pick you up for dinner."Bianca turned to Oliver enthusiastically. "Oliver, why don't you come with us?"Oliver smiled and shook his head. "Would that be convenient?"Adriana smiled. "It's just a meal. What's inconvenient about it?"They couldn't very well leave Oliver alone while the three of them went off to eat. She wasn't the type to do something like that."Bianca, we're heading out."Adriana got into the car first, taking the back seat.Oliver cl
Oliver stopped outside Adriana's hotel room. "Adriana, get some rest. We're leaving at nine tomorrow morning."Adriana smiled faintly. "Okay. Good night, Oliver.""Good night."After returning to her room, Adriana took a shower. When she came out, she discovered that Francesco had called again.During dinner, Oliver had already told her about the phone call. She had sent Francesco a message asking what he wanted, but he never replied.Sitting on the edge of the bed, she answered the call."What is it?""Where are you?"The question came cold and concise, like a police officer interrogating a suspect.Already irritated, Adriana replied curtly, "At the hotel.""Send me the location."She frowned. "What do you mean?""Send it."Before Adriana could ask anything else, he hung up.She had no idea what kind of nonsense Francesco was up to this time, but she still sent him the hotel address—thoughtfully including the room number as well.Adriana: [If you're sending someone to c
Adriana left the sanatorium and took a taxi to the hotel.The room was dimly lit. She didn't turn on the lights, only sat alone by the window as Chris's frail, sickly appearance replayed in her mind, leaving a heavy pressure in her chest.Knock, knock, knock—Someone was at the door.Snapping out of her thoughts, she got up and opened it."Hey, Oliver.""Come have dinner with me. I know a local specialty restaurant nearby. The food's pretty good."Oliver had just showered and changed into clean casual clothes. A faint scent of body wash lingered around him.Adriana agreed readily. "Sure."The worse her mood was, the more she felt she should eat properly.Since the restaurant was only about a kilometer from the hotel, they decided to walk.Unlike the oppressive heat of the daytime, the cool night breeze brushed against them, sweeping away the weight of the entire day and leaving them refreshed.Walking on Adriana's left, Oliver smiled and asked, "So when are you planning to
"I have a car. Let me drive you to the sanatorium later.""That won't be necessary. Thank you, Oliver."Adriana had no idea what Chris looked like now. She didn't want anyone else witnessing her vulnerable side.Oliver didn't insist and instead asked, "Have you booked a hotel yet?""Not yet."Adriana wasn't picky about accommodations. Originally, she had planned to book a room somewhere near the sanatorium."I'll send you the address of my hotel. You can stay there tonight, and tomorrow we can attend the conference together."Oliver took out his phone and sent her the address."Alright."Adriana clicked the link he sent and booked herself a single room.After sitting and chatting a little longer following lunch, the two parted ways at the restaurant.Oliver returned to the hotel while Adriana headed for the sanatorium.Before coming, she had already contacted Chris's mother, Anna. By the time Adriana arrived, Anna was already waiting outside for her."Is it convenient for
Because the matter lingered in her mind, Adriana woke early the next morning.She was still lying in Francesco's arms.Carefully, she tried prying his arm away, attempting to slip free from his embrace.Unexpectedly, before they had fully separated, the person behind her stirred. The arm wrapped around her loosened, and Francesco turned over to face the other side of the bed, continuing to sleep as though completely unaware of everything.Adriana quietly let out a breath of relief and crept out of bed to wash up in the bathroom.The moment the bathroom door clicked shut, the man on the bed opened his eyes.Francesco lifted an arm and revealed an expression of utter disappointment in himself.Clearly, before sleeping, the two of them had stayed rigidly on opposite sides of the bed. Yet, he had woken up to find himself holding her in his arms.And judging from their position, he had obviously been the one who initiated it.Still half-asleep, Adriana finished washing up and quiet
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,
Those high heels were Adriana's favorite brand—comfortable, reliable.There couldn't possibly be such a coincidence!"Francesco, something's wrong."Bella's trembling voice came through the phone.The next second, Francesco snapped a leash onto the German shepherd and dashed to the car.…"Jus
Dean's words struck Joan right where it hurt. She flung the binoculars in her hand to the floor."It's only been one day and two nights, and they already found her. You've disappointed me."Dean stubbed out his cigar and fixed her with a serious look. "Joan, don't tell me you were planning to use
If this were about money, Adriana had been missing for nearly two days. Chris's payment should have arrived by now—unless the price they demanded was one even he couldn't afford.The men guarding her remained silent throughout.Adriana felt despair settle in. Their professionalism was unmistakable







