Chapter 160

The phone's vibration cut through the silence of the room like a knife.

Adrian Roland stared at the caller ID, his knuckles turning white.

He never got her answer in the end.

No matter. Once he wrapped things up here and moved abroad, everything would start anew.

"Hello?"

"Boss! We've located the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run six years ago!"

Adrian's pupils constricted. "I'm on my way."

He ended the call.

"Business?"

"Yeah." He grabbed his coat. "Let me take you home first."

Stella Valentine nodded obediently, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes.

After watching her enter the house, Adrian sped toward the scrapyard on the outskirts of town.

Jason Macmillan had been waiting in the overgrown lot for some time.

"Boss, it's over there."

Two mangled Land Rovers sat in the corner, their rusted bodies covered in moss.

"The 4S shop team will arrive shortly."

Adrian studied the wreckage, his expression unreadable.

"You didn't find them yourself?"

Jason hesitated. "Mr. Xavier Atlante sent word."

"What else did he say?"

"That... he hopes you'll remember who helped you."

Adrian let out a cold laugh.

"Boss, Mr. Atlante won't let this go easily." Jason lowered his voice. "He told me to warn you—he'll eliminate any distractions."

Adrian's knuckles cracked under the pressure.

"I understand."

Forty minutes later, the forensic team arrived.

"Mr. Roland, the vehicles are severely damaged. We'll need at least a week."

"Make it quick."

......

Friday came in the blink of an eye.

Ethan Valentine spun circles in the living room, his new Iron Man backpack bouncing with each turn.

"Mommy!" He rushed to hug Stella's legs the moment she appeared.

"Excited?"

"Yeah!" Ethan beamed up at her. "I told Marshmallow to protect you!"

Stella glanced at the Samoyed puppy sprawled asleep in its bed and stifled a laugh.

"Isn't Daddy taking me to school?"

"Daddy's been very busy lately."

Ethan nodded knowingly. "I get it. He's saving the world!"

The school stood just across the neighborhood.

The homeroom teacher greeted them warmly. "Don't worry, Mrs. Valentine. Mr. Roland has already given us detailed instructions."

Stella knelt to adjust her son's collar. "Mommy will pick you up this afternoon."

"Are you doing something important?"

"Yes. It won't take long."

She looked back three times after leaving the school gates.

A taxi pulled up to the curb.

"Miss, the Civil Affairs Bureau is packed today!" The driver chuckled. "Everyone's rushing to register their marriages before Mid-Autumn Festival."

Stella tightened her grip on the document folder in her bag.

"I'm here to file for divorce."