Chapter 253

"But he—"

"No buts." Adrian Roland's voice sharpened abruptly, his knuckles whitening on the steering wheel.

Stella Valentine flinched at his reaction, instinctively shrinking toward the car door.

Adrian swallowed hard, regaining composure. "I mean... He's a grown man. He can take care of himself."

Stella pressed her lips together.

Victor Valence had accompanied her all day, only to be left alone at the police station. The guilt weighed on her like a stone.

But this was Adrian's car. She had no right to dictate his decisions.

"About the police station..." Adrian softened his tone. "Victor Lefèvre is cornered. You handled it perfectly. Short-term losses for long-term stability—that's smart business."

"Mhm."

Raindrops pelted the windshield as Adrian turned on the stereo. Teresa Teng's "The Long and Winding Road" filled the car.

"Walking by your side, no matter how far, I'll never tire..."

The melody smoothed their frayed nerves like gentle hands.

"Cold?" Without waiting for an answer, Adrian shrugged off his cardigan and offered it to her.

Beneath it, he wore only a cotton loungewear shirt. The gray-brown knit still carried his body heat. Stella caught a whiff of cedarwood—a scent that transported her to years past when he'd drape jackets over her shoulders.

"Watch the road!" She jerked upright.

Adrian chuckled. "Don't trust my driving?"

"It's slippery!" Her voice trembled. "What if—"

"What if what?" His gaze burned into her.

Stella turned away. "...Just be careful."

"Then put this on first." He stubbornly held out the cardigan. "Luna cried herself hoarse on the phone, saying bad men took Mommy away."

"Luna cried?" Stella sat bolt upright. "She never cries—"

A warm hand covered her icy fingers. "We're going home now. But you need to take care of yourself. The company, the kids, your mother—they all depend on you."

"And you?" She looked up. "Your burdens are heavier than mine."

"Me?" Adrian's mouth twisted. "After Grandfather passes and you all move abroad, I'll truly be alone."

He shoved the cardigan into her arms and gripped the wheel again.

Stella clutched the warm fabric. "...Penny says you've been pulling all-nighters."

"Concerned about me?"

"I want you to be well." Her nails dug into her palms. "But we ended three years ago."

"I know." His eyes stayed fixed ahead.

"I'll cooperate with Grandpa Edward to ease his mind."

"Right."

"You and Wendy Evans—"

"Never happened." He scoffed. "She got her compensation. We're square."

Stella twisted the hem of her shirt. "You're too alike—both unwilling to compromise. You'll meet someone right for you. I'll keep an eye out."

Adrian suddenly turned. "Why do you sound like my mother?"

Her ears burned. "...I just want you to be happy."

"Why?" He pinned her with his gaze. "Because I'm your ex-husband? The children's father? Or to relieve yourself of this charade?"

"I promised to look after Grandpa Edward!"

"And if I remarry?"

"I'll always be his granddaughter-in-law!" The words tumbled out.

Adrian's eyes darkened. "That almost sounds like... hope."

The rain-slicked streets were empty. Soon, the black Maybach pulled up to Houston Grand Hotel.

Stella seized the escape. "We're here! The kids must be waiting."

She fled into the elevator, missing the desolation in the man's eyes behind her.

A phone rang sharply.

"Well, well, Mr. Roland." Victor Valence's mocking voice crackled through. "Quite the smooth kidnapper."

Adrian rolled down the window, letting cold rain hit his face. "Stay away from her."

"Why should I?" Victor laughed. "We both know who holds her heart. At least I never hurt her."

"Would your family accept a divorced woman?"

"I'd walk away with nothing." Victor sounded careless. "And you? With billions in assets and global branches—would you give it all up?"

Through the downpour, Adrian's voice cut like steel:

"If I could turn back time, I'd trade everything to win her heart again."

Even if it meant losing every penny.

Even if it destroyed him.