Chapter 02

Adrian made his way to the elevator heading for the exit of the building.

“Hey, you.” A voice called from behind. Adrian knew who it was but didn’t stop; he just kept walking out.

“Are you deaf? You bas*ard, stop there now,” he barked again, running to block his path.

It was Benedict, Lyra’s younger brother, and the man walking right next to Benedict was John Walter, the heir of the Walter family.

Adrian knew the guy; he’d always wanted him out of Lyra’s life just so he could have his way, but Lyra was blind to see all the tricks he played, pretending he was helping her just to get her attention.

The Walter family business was far bigger than the Lanes Group, while the Walters were more prominent and influential in the city. The Lanes Group was still coming up and in a state of unstable financial condition at the moment.

“Hey, Adrian, I heard you’re finally leaving Lyra, or is it Lyra that’s leaving you? Huh?” John mockingly grinned as he patted Adrian’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry, you’d find someone else who’d be your match. But Lyra deserves someone better who could treat her well and support her dream, not someone who kills the effort of a hardworking woman like you,” he continued.

Adrian’s face was unreadable as he gave no indication to his words.

“What’s that you’re holding?” Benedict asked, looking at the black luxurious-looking box with Adrian.

“Did you steal something?” he asked curiously as Adrian moved his hand away when he tried to grab it.

“What do you mean?” Adrian asked with a serious expression.

“Let me see that box now… I won’t say it again.” Benedict asked, stretching his hand forward.

“The box is mine. And I’m not handing it over to you. Leave my way, Benedict,” Adrian spoke with a formal voice this time.

Unlike before, when he’d smile while Benedict said disrespectful words to him and wouldn’t act like he had an ego, this time his expression was darkened.

“If you didn’t steal that, why not show us what’s inside? Of course, you’re just coming from Lyra’s office after signing a divorce agreement. How do you expect us not to suspect you’ve stolen something there… and moreover, where would you see such an expensive-looking box?” John asked, raising his voice to call attention from the nearby audience.

Adrian calmly sighed.

“Don’t get in my way. I don’t want to injure you, Benedict,” he warned with a venomous voice.

“Hey, Adrian, you don’t have to play dumb! If you don’t give that to me now, I’d ask the security to lock you up.”

“Security to lock me up? For what? Did Lyra say I’ve stolen anything from her office? Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Adrian’s voice finally said as he started to move forward.

“Where do you think you’re going, you thief?” Benedict yelled, pushing Adrian on the chest.

John seized the opportunity to grab the box that was slightly held in Adrian’s hand.

“Holy cow.”

“Where did he get that from?”

“Is that really the Ebon Star Necklace?”

People from nearby whispered as they all looked at the shining diamond necklace. Even without using a tester, it was sure that it looked exactly like the one from the Xanders Museum jewelry store. Every lady always dreamt of having a necklace like that.

“It’s not possible. Where did you get this from, Adrian?” Benedict asked, his eyes widened.

“Adrian, did you really dare to have stolen this? I heard last night that someone finally purchased this particular item. Did you actually steal this from the person who bought it?” John muttered.

Even with his family’s connections, he could never lay his hands on that necklace. At that moment, Lyra came downstairs.

“Adrian, is it true that you stole that necklace?” she asked, her chest pounding as she ran to catch up before he left.

Because while in her office, she saw the official post of statement that a prestigious person finally purchased the Ebon necklace.

“Adrian, do you want to die? Why would you commit such a crime?” Lyra asked again, her tone more sharply.

“What do you mean? I purchased it for myself… what do you mean by that?” Adrian still looked calm as he replied.

His reaction only made them more curious.

“Adrian, can’t you be more shameful? You’re worthless and useless, but adding stealing to your name is never a good thing,” Mrs. Nola taunted.

“Yes, of course, Lyra was right for divorcing you,” John added.

Adrian sighed and nodded his head.

Warning, he grabbed John’s hand and took the necklace from him before John could try to react. Adrian was already holding the necklace.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Listen, I won’t repeat myself. For the sake of our three years together, I’d try my best to keep you out of jail. But first, you have to hand that over and turn yourself in…” Lyra’s face was stretched with sympathy as she spoke.

Adrian didn’t wait for them to finish before walking away.

“Where are you going?”

Huh?

Lyra was shocked. Adrian would never walk out on her before, let alone when she was talking to him, and he still wasn’t moved under her gaze. He was confidently looking into her eyes.

“Sis, don’t worry, leave him. I’d report to the police immediately,” Benedict said.

“That bastard only wants to get killed when the real owner finds him… and it’s just a matter of time,” Mrs. Nola said with a disdainful sigh.

——

Adrian took out his phone and dialed a number.

“Hello, I need a ride, Steve,” he said.

“Oh, okay, sir. I’d be there in a minute, sir,” the voice on the other end said, but Adrian hung up the call.

Just moments later, a Rolls-Royce Boat Tail followed by a Mercedes-Maybach S680 Guard 4MATIC

The cars parked right next to Adrian where he was standing looking forward.

“Sir,” Mr. Steve Cross, known as the wealthiest man in the city, bowed his head not just slightly but ninety degrees below to greet Adrian.

All passersby could not help but pause to look at the scene. The car that followed was the bodyguard of Mr. Steve; they all bowed following Mr. Steve.

Adrian ignored them as if he didn’t register their greetings.

“I’m heading to the Smith Wellness Hospital,” he said as he stepped into the Rolls-Royce.

Everyone was stunned.

“How’s that possible?”

“Did Mr. Steve just bow his head to greet that man casually dressed like a nobody?”

“Who’s that man? He must be a super rich undercover guy to have earned such respect from Mr. Steve.”

Whispers from passersby as they stared.

The car came to a halt once they arrived.

“Sir, about the Lanes Corporation… what do you wish we do about them? Just say the word, and the whole company is down to dust without any trace again,” Mr. Steve said nervously, lowering his head as he spoke.

As if speaking to a master, he dared not look into his eyes.

“Don’t worry about that. I don’t like using power to punish people. But she’d suffer her own actions when she realizes what she had lost,” Adrian spoke with a smirk as he stepped down from the car.

Everyone outside the hospital gasped.

“Wow, look at that man… could he actually be a boss? Why is he dressed like that?”

Many people stopped just to stare at the white luxurious Rolls-Royce and the Mercedes that followed behind it.

Adrian ignored everyone’s whispers and made his way inside, not sparing a glance at anyone. He walked right through the hallway to his office as a casual doctor.

Soon as he arrived, an emergency arrived in the room.

“Dr. Adrian. What are you waiting for? Come to the operation room—we need you,” Dr. Franklin Moore, the head doctor in the hospital, said with urgency burning in his eyes.

Without a word, Adrian walked into the operation room to attend to the patient.

Then an ambulance arrived at the hospital.

A lady running forward exclaimed in a loud tone.

“Doctors? Please, I need a doctor now,” a young-looking lady ran in, her eyes burning with urgency.

Everyone quickly rushed towards her. She’s known as the personal assistant to the Lancaster heiress. No one dared delay a second when she requested a doctor.

Behind her was Vivienne Lancaster, the heir of the Lancaster family. She majestically walked in hurriedly, her face pale as she asked Dr. Franklin.

“Please, I need your best doctor. The Smith Hospital is the best, so I hope you’ve got the best doctors too, right?” Her voice sounded with urgency.

Dr. Franklin trembled at her commanding tone.

“Ye—yes, ma’am. We’ve got the best doctor with the best skills here,” he replied.

“So go fetch the doctor. Whoever can cure my junior sister’s illness, I’d personally gift the person,” she said buoyantly.

David Moore, who stood behind, his face lit up once he heard her words.

“So what’s the delay? Go get the doctor,” she exclaimed.

“I’m here, ma’am,” David Moore replied confidently with a smile.