جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 20

“Dr. Foster, you’re well connected to know someone like Mr. Steve Cross. He’s the richest man in this city,” she said, her eyes searching his as they headed outside the hall.“Or is he your master?” she pressed when Adrian showed no sign of answering her.“Not really,” he replied, his tone sharp and dismissive. He clearly didn’t want to talk about it, and Vivienne could understand.“Oh, Dr. Foster, I have one more favor to ask you,” she said, her eyes holding a glint of sympathy.Adrian hesitated for a moment. “What’s that?” he asked, his tone cool and casual.“Since you’re a very skilled doctor, I figured you could also treat my dad’s illness,” she said, choosing her words carefully.“My dad would repay you forever if you can cure him,” she added like she had placed the fate of her dad's chance to recover in him.Before Adrian could respond, Lina’s voice cut through.“Mrs. Vivienne, although Dr. Foster has some medical skills, your father’s illness is more than he could handle. Even

“Please… please, don’t hit my face,” David pleaded, his eyes wet with tears.His face was already red from the two hot slaps he had received, and he knew taking any more could permanently damage his appearance.“No. I’m not done teaching you some manners,” Adrian said in a low, composed voice.“You bastard! My father won’t let you get away with this if you ruin my face!” David shouted, his voice shaking.“You… you bastard! Don’t wait for me, just run. Otherwise, I’ll crush you!” he yelled, glancing at Rose—who stood watching, impressed. She couldn’t help but admire the way Adrian was humiliating David. David, who always stood tall, flaunting his carefully styled hair and pampered face, using all his father’s resources to look good and impress girls—that’s all he ever cared about.Adrian grabbed David roughly by the hair, yanking him up. David’s face flushed even redder.“You should be more worried about whether you’ll get away from me,” Adrian said calmly—then delivered a brutal kick

“Dr. Adrian, you can go back now if you want. I’ve contacted Sebastian Krow — the crime lord of Vereluxe. Anyone who values their life knows not to cross that line when he’s involved,” Clara said, slipping her phone back into her coat. The edge in her voice had softened — she finally sounded relieved.Her friendship with Vivienne Lancaster was worth standing for her when she was in trouble. After all they were childhood friends.Adrian only gave a faint nod. His gaze, however, hadn’t left her.She noticed.Now that her focus was no longer on the call, she saw how calmly he sat beside her — unbothered by her commanding tone, unmoved by everything she had just said. His presence was unsettling, not because it was loud, but because it was still. Composed. Solid.Her brows pulled together slightly. “You’re just going to keep staring?” she asked, trying to play it off in a flat voice. But something about the way he looked at her — not like a man sizing up a woman, but like a surgeon readin

Adrian remained calm, unlike how most would react in such a tense moment. He simply smiled and said, “Well then, I have somewhere to be,” turning away as if nothing had happened.“But sir,” Lucious asked respectfully, “how would you like us to handle Sebastian’s men who tried to harm you?”“However you see fit,” Adrian replied. “I’m going to find Mrs. Vivienne.”Sam felt a cold chill creep down his spine. He knew that Darius’s men never started something they wouldn’t finish—and that could only mean one thing: their lives were at stake.Lucious glanced at Sebastian’s men with disdain before turning back to Adrian. “Why not let us handle this ourselves and bring Mrs. Vivienne back to you safely?”Adrian raised a hand to stop him. “No, thank you. And for the record, I don’t need your help anymore. I don’t want any violence around me. Stay out of my business,” he said, his voice calm and resolute, his confidence unshakable.“Adrian, why would you—” Clara began, but Adrian raised his hand

“You should be pleading for your life right now,” she added.Her words made John feel as though his plan to impress her was actually working. His face lit up with a smile.Adrian smirked. “You really know nothing about the people around you,” he muttered.He had always known what was on John’s mind. But Lyra, on the other hand, was ignorant of the danger lurking around her.“Lyra, he’s trying to insult us all. I suggest you slap him and shut him up. You’re not going to watch him insult your family like that, are you?” Nola said with a deliberate tone as she stared into Lyra’s face.“Don’t worry, Mrs. Nola. I’m here, and I’ll handle this perfectly,” John said with confidence.“Only if you lick my shoes clean and hand over the property to me, then I’d consider sparing your life. Else—” he began, but before he could finish, Adrian interrupted.“Else what? I’m thinking it should be you licking my shoes, not me,” Adrian said, his tone calm.Lyra’s face burned with rage at his expression. H