LOGINAdriana chose the express urgent service—she would receive the results the next morning.At the same time, Joan was throwing a full-blown tantrum at the Hill family home, completely unaware of anything that was happening elsewhere."You both really have it in you. A son younger than your grandson—aren't you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?"After discovering the existence of Dennis, she had moved back into the Hill residence, pressuring Alfred and Cassandra to transfer all shares into her name.But they were firmly biased toward their son and even accused her of being greedy and selfish."A laughingstock? You're the one making us a laughingstock!""First, you broke off your engagement, then you became the mistress of your former fiancé. You're shameless!"Cassandra, exhausted from Joan's endless chaos, had lost all patience and no longer bothered to be polite."I've ended up like this because of you two. You don't deserve to be parents!"Joan screamed hysterically. She coul
Adriana stood quietly behind the door for a moment, waiting until her emotions settled. Only then did she open it.Chris was leaning alone against the wall, lost in thought. When he saw her come out, he pulled himself back."Did you find what you were looking for?"Adriana shook her head. "No. I just came to take a look."As for the photos, she decided to keep everything to herself until she had fully confirmed the truth."Oh, right," she added casually. "I'm going to Starry Villa for dinner tonight. Is that okay?"A flicker of light passed through Chris's dim eyes. He smiled faintly."I said it before. That place will always be your home.""Alright. See you tonight."She waved and drove back to the lab.Oliver was busy dealing with William, and Francesco had gone to Mitaly. Project 001 was behind schedule—she needed to push it forward.Fortunately, once she entered work mode, she became completely focused and efficient. She didn't even stop for lunch, only eating a sandwich
The brief call with Daisy ended quickly. The next morning, Adriana called Chris."I need to get something from Dean's office. Can you find a way to get him out of there?"Chris didn't ask why. "Between nine and ten, Dean will be in a meeting. His office will be empty during that hour.""Thank you. I'll head over now."Adriana glanced at her phone. It was eight o'clock."I'll wait for you outside the headquarters. If you come in with me, it won't raise suspicion."Chris didn't know what she was planning, but he guessed it had something to do with Daisy. In truth, he didn't approve of Adriana getting involved in that mess, lest it drag her into trouble.But he also knew her temperament—she would never stand by and do nothing."Alright," she said.Even Adriana herself wasn't sure what Daisy wanted her to do yet. Being cautious wouldn't hurt.At eight-thirty, she met Chris at Slater Group's headquarters."What are you going to Dean's office for?" he asked.Then he added, "If on
Francesco: [Been busy all day, just saw my phone. Mars told me what happened today. Are you alright?]Adriana: [Thank you for checking in. I'm fine, but Daisy has been taken somewhere, and we don't know where.]Francesco: [Sorry I'm not there with you.]Adriana: [It's okay. Mars has already helped a lot, I'm very grateful.]Thinking of what Mars had said earlier, she added another message.Adriana: [I heard from Mars that you're getting engaged. Congratulations.]Francesco: [It's not confirmed yet. Still considering it.]Adriana's fingers paused above the screen. She didn't know how to reply.And when she saw that it wasn't confirmed yet, a trace of inappropriate relief slipped through her heart.Then another message came in.Francesco: [If you need me, I can come back.]Her heart skipped a beat, then started pounding violently.She did need him.She wished Francesco were right beside her at this moment, helping her figure out how to find Daisy.Her helplessness and panic
"What is it?"As soon as the call connected, Dean's cold voice came through."Where is Daisy?" Chris asked."None of your business."Chris fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly. "Dean, I apologize on behalf of my mother for the harm caused to you and your mother. I'm sorry.""No need. It sounds disgusting—just like you. My family's affairs are not something an outsider like you has the right to interfere with."With that, Dean hung up.The call had been on speaker. Adriana heard every word clearly."Sorry, Adriana. I hid my true identity. I am actually—""I know." Adriana interrupted him. "I know Anna is your mother."She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and stood up."I'm going out."Her mind was entirely on Daisy. She intended to go to the Reeves family estate.Chris followed behind her. "I'll help you search.""Then let's split up. Contact me if there's any news."Adriana felt that searching together would only waste manpower—and she also did not want to
"Young lady, Neo has already been sent abroad on a business trip. Oliver is probably with his father right now. No matter how long you stall, you can't change anything."At his words, despair crept into Adriana's heart.The airport was only one kilometer away. Just one more kilometer—and Daisy would have been free.William lost his patience. "If you don't move aside, I will erase you from the scientific community.""Do whatever you want. If I can't even protect Daisy, then no matter how great my research achievements are, they mean nothing."Adriana stepped forward and stood firmly in front of Daisy like a deeply rooted tree."Adriana…" Daisy broke into muffled sobs. It was the first time in her life someone had stood so resolutely in front of her. At that moment, she realized that the dignity and glory she had once clung to were worth nothing at all.William's expression turned complicated. No wonder Oliver had taken such an interest in this girl."Move her aside," he ordered.
"I'm going to take a bath."Adriana sank into the bathtub, letting the warm water envelop her. It was soft, comforting, and alive with a gentle warmth. She closed her eyes, letting herself slowly slide under the surface, her body sinking, merging with the water.Until she could no longer hold her
"Mr. Este, the third-floor laboratory requires sterile gowns. Would you like to take a look?"Francesco pressed the button for the first floor. "Let's grab a coffee downstairs."Adriana obliged. He was their valued investor, after all.At the café, Francesco settled into a seat by the window and
Adriana's hand paused mid-wipe on the table. She looked up and smiled softly."He's right," she said.Oliver smelled gossip in the air, but with Bianca present, he couldn't ask Adriana directly."You must be mistaken. Adriana is absolutely not a bad woman," he said.Bianca's eyes locked on him.
Shucking the barbecue wasn't hard—making ten plates was nothing.Still, the look on Oliver's face made it seem like she'd suffered some profound humiliation. Adriana pressed her lips together, caught between laughter and frustration.After fixing four or five plates, Francesco simply took the serv







