Semua Bab The Face of Revenge: Bab 51 - Bab 60

Chapter 52: The AftershockAdrian's POVI'm seated in my office, spinning a pen between my fingers like it's a national sport. Outside, the skyline bleeds amber. Beautiful, if you're into poetic metaphors about impending doom. I'm not. But I do appreciate irony. The sun is doing its thing—shining like the Laurent name hasn't just been dragged through the proverbial mud with artfully sharpened claws.There's a knock. Two soft taps. Vince.He enters with that practiced stiffness, face unreadable. Which is code for: he knows something mildly horrifying, and he assumes I don't."Mr. Laurent," he says, tone level. Too level. "An article targeting the company has gone viral."I blink at him. "You don't say."

Chapter 54: Cornered KingsAdrian's POVI froze.But just for a second.That's all it takes.The steam between us thickens, curling around the air like smoke in a closed room. The walls seem to lean in a little closer, shrinking the space until there's nowhere to hide. I meet his gaze and force the corner of my mouth up again. A smile, but hollow."Now that's a reach," I say, voice dripping with amusement I don't feel.Henri sets his teacup down with that same calculated elegance he uses to sign contracts that ruin men. His gaze sharpens—not furious, not emotional. Just clinical. Like a man dissecting something slippery and alive.

Chapter 56: More Than Skin DeepElise's POVIt took me a while to break free from Rigo and Isla's teasing, their playful banter swirling around us like a light breeze on a warm evening. I couldn't help but smile, though—Adrian, you're on your own with this one.My attention shifted when I noticed Mateo sitting a little apart from the group, staring at his phone with a furrowed brow. That usual spark of mischief and humor was dimmed, replaced by something heavier. It pulled at me immediately."Hey, Mateo," I said gently, leaning in just a little, my voice calm and warm. "You've been quiet all night. Everything okay?"He blinked, like he hadn't realized anyone was paying attention. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just… thinking."

Chapter 58: Paper TrailsAdrian's POVThe soft clack of Vincent's shoes against the polished marble floor echoed through the corridor outside my office, each step measured and precise, like a metronome ticking off a rhythm only he could hear. The door opened with its usual quiet efficiency—no creak, no hesitation, just the subtle shift of hinges that marked his entrance."Morning, Mr. Laurent," Vincent said, placing a slim leather folder on my desk with the kind of ceremony reserved for a royal decree, rather than a week-old internal memo haul that probably no one else bothered to read. "Per your request—archived expense records for the lab division from Q1 to Q4, last fiscal year."I didn't look up right away. I hated confirming things with my eyes before my gut had time to whisper first, the way inst

Chapter 60: Fridge Creams and Quiet FearElise's POVThe Harper kitchen was warm in the way lived-in spaces often are—quietly cluttered, corners softened by use. The late sun spilled across the tile floor in golden rectangles, the scent of citrus dish soap lingering faintly beneath the air of domestic normalcy.Lara moved without fanfare, opening the fridge with a practiced hand. Her shoulders were slightly hunched, not with fear this time, but concentration."Let's see," she muttered, shifting jars and bottles. "Where did she put it…"She reached past a mason jar of chopped garlic, a nearly empty bottle of oat milk, and retrieved a small, unlabeled glass container."This one," she said, holding it up with both