Chapter 244
Penny's hands trembled slightly on the steering wheel.
She stole a glance at Mr. Roland through the rearview mirror. The man sat like a statue, eyes closed, his breathing so faint it was almost inaudible.
"Mr. Roland, what does 'Overbearing Dragon Regrets' actually mean?"
Adrian didn't even lift an eyelid. "You wouldn't understand even if I explained."
Penny pouted. "Knew you'd say that. Well, us ordinary folks only care about today's overtime pay—three hundred bucks."
The car cut through the night.
Streetlights flickered like discarded fireflies outside the window.
"We're here," Penny whispered.
Adrian opened his eyes. The darkened windows of the old house stared back like hollow eyes.
"Take me to the hotel," he said abruptly.
Penny nearly bit her tongue. "Huh?"
"Five percent bonus."
"On it!" She floored the accelerator.
The fountain at Houston Grand Hotel shimmered under the night sky.
Adrian watched the water for three seconds before turning to Penny.
"That pretty lady stays here," Penny said with a wink. "Room 0826."
His gaze sharpened like a blade.
"Can I be honest, Mr. Roland?" Penny shrank slightly. "You like her."
"Shut up."
"Glaring won't change my mind! She's way better than Miss Wendy. Wouldn't she make a great boss's wife?"
Adrian slammed the car door and strode off.
Penny chased after him, shoving a bottle of cologne into his hands. "Gotta smell good when chasing girls!"
Then she vanished.
Adrian stood in the wind, letting the night air scatter the smoke clinging to him. The citrus-and-alcohol scent of the cologne reminded him of a rainy evening long ago.
As the elevator numbers climbed, Penny's words echoed in his ears:
"I'll do better than him. Make him fall for me again."
What made Mr. Alistair so special?
His gentleness? Thoughtfulness? Or that he'd never hurt her?
Adrian clenched his fists. Everything he could offer, Mr. Alistair had already given. The only difference? He'd been the one to push her into the abyss.
Had that car crash truly been an accident?
Why the day before the wedding?
Why did the Valentine family's assets all end up in Victor's hands?
Too many inconsistencies, woven together like a carefully crafted web.
Back then, he'd been a rabid beast, turning his sharpest claws against the one he loved most. Now, every memory was a knife twisting in his chest.
Ding.
The eighth floor.
Childish laughter spilled from Room 0826. Ethan's goodnight, Luna's sweet whining, and her voice weaving a fairy tale.
"...the prince rescued the princess, and they lived happily ever after."
"Is Mommy the princess?"
"Mommy's prince... won't be coming back."
Adrian's heart constricted violently.
"Daddy promised to protect us!" Luna's voice grew suddenly closer.
A knock sounded at the door. Adrian held his breath.
The door swung open without warning.
In the warm hallway light, little Luna barreled into his arms like a cannonball. And there, standing in the shadows—her, eyes glistening with tears.
"...Mr. Alistair?"
The name was a dagger to his heart.
He scooped up his daughter, kicked the door shut behind him. In the darkness, he closed in on her trembling figure, voice rough:
"Do I look that much like him?"