LOGINMars had noticed that during this period, Francesco's temper had grown increasingly volatile. The people under him lived in constant fear, barely daring to breathe.Not only was his mood unpredictable, but his appetite had also shrunk. He smoked cigarette after cigarette, one right after another.The medication he once used for headaches—at most one pill a day—now required two or three just to keep the pain under control.Mars didn't know what had happened, and he didn't dare ask directly. With Francesco's personality, even if he asked, he wouldn't get an answer.He vaguely suspected it had something to do with Adriana. After all, these symptoms had started only after she left.Thinking of this, he indirectly tried to get information from Bianca."Bianca, when you've been video calling Adriana recently, is the boss there?""At first, he was there every time.""And later?""Later, he stopped coming.""When did he stop showing up?""The day Chris got sick."Mars' eyes widened
"Eat first. After that, I'll help you walk around."Adriana arranged the breakfast on a small table, and they sat facing each other, eating while talking.Chris took a sip of porridge, his voice slightly hoarse."Dean asked someone to pass me a message from prison. He wants me to take care of Edward."Adriana looked up. "What are you planning to do?""I'll hire someone to look after him, but I won't keep him by my side." Chris paused, then asked, "Do you think I'm being too heartless?"Adriana shook her head and placed a peeled boiled egg onto his plate."Your first car accident was caused by your brother. And what you're like now—it's because of Joan. If it were me, I wouldn't bother with their child at all."Chris let out a quiet sigh. "No matter what, Edward is still my brother's son."Adriana said nothing more and changed the topic."What do you want for lunch?"To her, everything from the past felt like a nightmare she no longer wanted to touch."You can just ask the c
The screen on both ends fell into a deathly silence, broken only by Bianca's oblivious, expectant expression.It was Chris who spoke first, his tone cool and detached. "Francesco, long time no see."Francesco lifted his gaze, his eyes sweeping across the screen with a chill."I was originally planning to attend your funeral. Looks like I'll have to wait a little longer."Chris turned his head slightly toward the woman beside him—Adriana—and a faint smile curved his lips."I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Francesco. I can't bear to leave Adriana behind."Francesco let out a cold snort. "Chris, are you having a burst of clarity before death? Your mind's already going fuzzy."Seeing the tension rising sharply between them, Adriana quickly stepped in to interrupt."Bianca, I'm going to hang up now. We'll talk tomorrow."She ended the call and turned her gaze back to Chris."Don't take what Francesco said to heart. You're definitely going to live a long life."Chris nodded
The elevator doors opened.Alex led Adriana to the end of the corridor and stopped outside a ward."I won't go in," he said."Thank you, Alex."Adriana placed her hand on the doorknob. Taking a deep breath, she slowly pushed the door open.Chris lay on the hospital bed, looking at her with a faint smile. His features were as deep and familiar as ever, but his skin was so pale it seemed almost translucent."Adriana. Long time no see."Adriana's throat tightened. "Long time no see, Chris."Chris's condition was indeed better than the last time she saw him at the sanatorium, but he was still thin and fragile. The hospital gown hung loosely on his frame, making him look even more hollow.Adriana sat down in the chair beside the bed. "Have you eaten dinner?""I have."After that brief exchange, silence settled over the room.A moment later, Chris reached out his hand toward her.She didn't move.A flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes as he slowly withdrew his hand."Why
Adriana tightened her grip on her phone, waiting for a response.If nothing serious had happened, Alex would likely allow her to see Chris—unless Chris himself did not want to see her.Chris did not reply immediately. Instead, he lowered his gaze and looked at his own thin, almost skeletal wrist.After a moment, he handed the phone back to Alex."Let her wait a little longer. I look like I'm half-dead right now. I'm afraid I'll scare her."Alex glanced at him and took the phone, typing a line on the screen."Fine. I'll work on getting you stabilized first. After all that self-destruction in the sanatorium, you finally know regret."Chris closed his eyes.A broken body, a broken soul, and the torment of being alone—it was enough to strip anyone of their will to live.Now that Adriana had divorced Francesco, he had something to hold on to again. And because of that, he no longer dared to die so easily.Alex: [Chris is fine. I'll arrange for you to see him in a few days.]This
The night wind carried a chill as it swept across the terrace. Francesco lit a cigarette and smoked it in silence. The ember flickered in and out, reflecting in his eyes like a flame without warmth trapped inside a glacier.Just as he was about to stand and go back inside, a figure suddenly rushed straight into his chest.He reacted instantly, stepping aside sharply and pressing a hand to his holstered weapon.The person fell hard to the ground with a pained cry. "Cesco, you made me fall."Suzie lay there, looking up at him with a pout, her tone laced with spoiled complaint.Francesco stood three steps away, looking down at her from above. Only then did he move his hand away from the gun grip."You're lucky I didn't fire," he said coldly.Without another glance, he walked past her and left.Suzie remained lying on the ground in that same upward gaze. After a long moment, she slowly withdrew her eyes and clenched a fist, striking the ground once in frustration.…Since the day
Adriana's eyes widened slightly as she looked at Chris, her emotions tangled and turbulent."I'm the one who was smeared with false rumors. I'm the one who was wronged. So how does this end up being my fault?"What a fine "never mention it again." It sounded fair on the surface, but the favoritism
"I can keep investigating for you, if you'd like," Charlie offered.In truth, he could have followed the trail and uncovered whoever was behind it. But the matter might involve Adriana's privacy, so he chose not to pursue it further.Adriana thought for a moment. "Then I'll trouble you, Charlie. C
Francesco had actually recorded their conversation!Adriana's teeth itched with frustration. Truly, fate had a cruel sense of humor.Adriana: [What do you want from me?]The video he sent was clearly a threat.Francesco: [Come to the old place tonight for fencing, or this video will appear in yo
Francesco was supremely confident, moving without a shred of protective gear.Adriana tightened her grip on her sword, testing him with two tentative thrusts—both easily dodged by Francesco.His reflexes were lightning-fast, and soon he returned a strike of his own. Adriana couldn't evade it in ti







