MasukBut watching Adriana was anything but dull.After dinner, Chris insisted on seeing her back to Rosewood Avenue."I'm not comfortable letting you take a cab alone.""Thank you."The apartment there was already move-in ready, and Adriana didn't refuse—she didn't want to arouse suspicion.As they neared, Chris asked, "Why didn't you drive your own car?"Her heart skipped a beat. "The paint got chipped."His expression eased slightly. "I'll have someone take it in for repairs. Or I can get you a new one—just tell me when you've picked it out.""I'll get it fixed myself this weekend. I'm used to that car. No need for a new one."Once the car stopped, Adriana unbuckled her seatbelt and got out.Chris rolled down the window. "Go on in. I'll watch you enter. Good night.""Okay. Good night."She turned away, and only then did the tension inside her slowly begin to dissipate.When she reached the corner and glanced back, the black Maybach had already turned around and driven off."
Inside the car, Chris looked over at the silent Adriana.Dusk had settled, and the fading sunlight streamed through the window, wrapping her in a soft, golden glow.Resting her chin in her hand, her fingers appeared slender and pale. The light spread across her delicate profile, a fine layer of softness visible on her smooth skin. Strands of her hair caught the light, shimmering faintly in shades of soft brown.She sat there quietly, as if the noise and haste of the world had been filtered away by that tranquil wash of evening light around her, settling into something like a richly textured oil painting.Chris found himself recalling the first time his heart had stirred—also at an hour like this, under a setting sun.That day, he had just returned from outside. In the golden afterglow, she stood among the flowers in a knee-length red dress, playing with the white cat his grandmother kept.A leaf had caught in her hair. She tilted her head slightly and brushed it away, a loose str
"No idea. She just appeared out of nowhere. Sanctity Group really knows how to keep things under wraps.""They said they'd send top talent to work with us, but neither Oliver nor Elena showed up—just some well-connected hire.""Adriana's abilities are actually decent. Too bad about her character…""Shh! She's still Mrs. Slater in name. Watch what you say."Someone glanced toward the door, made sure no one was there, and lit another cigarette."If you ask me, it's not so bad having Adriana here. You don't come across beauties like her very often. If Elena turns out to be plain-looking, imagine having to stare at that every day."The moment he finished, several of the men laughed in unison.The smoking room filled with the stale, sour stench of cigarettes—yet the men inside seemed completely oblivious.…After everything she had been through, Adriana gradually stopped caring so much about what others thought.When Joan and her son first returned, she had felt ashamed, afraid of
By 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
In the car, Chris sent an email to the sender, demanding proof of Adriana's current condition.A response arrived quickly.In the photos, Adriana's hands and feet were covered in wounds, smeared with dried and fresh blood alike.Her face was deathly pale. The clear, bright eyes she once had were
"Chris, Edward has a surprise for you. He's waiting in the bedroom—go take a look," Joan urged.Chris thought about it for a moment. Adriana was probably asleep already; it was better not to disturb her. He withdrew his hand, and Joan pushed his wheelchair away.…The next day was Saturday. Joan
The charity gala was held in the grand auditorium of the Disabled Children's Welfare Center. Adriana and Oliver arrived early, checking to see if any help was needed.The children at the center were well cared for—bright, cheerful, and full of life.A girl with amputated legs had prosthetic limbs
The taxi doors were locked, and the protective barrier around the driver's seat completely trapped her. Adriana's voice trembled."I—I can give you money… however much you want… Please… just let me out…"No response came. The driver sat like a silent statue, chilling her to the bone.The car sped







