Chapter 206

Adrian Roland's voice turned icy when he recognized the approaching figure. "Stay downstairs tonight. Don't move an inch."

He hung up before Charlie Macmillan could respond.

Grant Rubenstein leaned against the wall, his smile dripping with mockery. "How touching, Mr. Roland. Throwing away your future for a dying woman?"

Adrian straightened, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Why is Mr. Xavier's lapdog following me instead of wagging its tail for its master?"

"True, I've been his dog for over a decade." Grant's grin twisted. "Yet the old man would rather hand everything to an outsider like you than acknowledge me."

"What do you want?"

"I can help you escape." Grant lowered his voice. "Mr. Xavier's men are already heading to Rosewood Gardens. How long do you think Charlie can hold them off alone?"

Adrian's pupils contracted. "He sent people there?"

"Correct." Grant spread his hands. "Pity your wife shares your stubbornness. My persuasion failed."

Adrian seized his collar, lifting him off the ground. "What did you say to her?"

"Exactly what the old man ordered—you can guess, can't you?" Grant's smirk turned sinister. "Now your wife and children are in his hands."

Adrian shoved him away and swung onto his motorcycle.

Grant's laughter chased after him. "By the time you get back, you'll only be collecting Stella's corpse."

The handlebars creaked under Adrian's grip. His voice was raw. "Name your terms."

"Kneel." Grant adjusted his collar. "I want you on your knees, begging for forgiveness."

Raindrops began falling between them.

"Why should I?"

"Because I hold their lives in my hands." Grant pulled out his phone. "Three seconds. Kneel or I make the call."

"Three—"

The dial tone pierced the rainy night.

"Two—"

"Mr. Rubenstein?" A voice answered.

"One—"

"I'll kneel!" Adrian's eyes burned crimson. "Swear they'll be safe."

Grant licked his lips eagerly. "Of course. The old man's slipping. I know how to work around him."

He aimed his camera at Adrian. "Hurry. Stella hates thunderstorms."

Thunder roared as the rain intensified.

Adrian glanced at the ink-black sky before slowly bending his knees.

With a heavy splash, he crashed onto the wet pavement.

"Beg!" Grant barked.

"...Please." Adrian's voice scraped like gravel.

"Louder. Who's begging whom?"

"Adrian Roland... pleads with you to spare them."

Grant suddenly kicked his injured left arm. Blood soaked through Adrian's sleeve instantly. "Not enough! Kowtow!"

Agony sent Adrian collapsing into the rainwater. Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself up and pressed his forehead to the cold ground. "I, Adrian Roland... beg you... let them go..."

Grant's maniacal laughter merged with the thunder.

Meanwhile, at Rosewood Gardens...

Little Luna wailed at each thunderclap while Ethan trembled in Stella's arms. "Mommy, I dreamed Daddy was covered in blood..."

Stella tightened her embrace, gazing at the storm-lashed night. A sudden, sharp pain pierced her heart.