Chapter 290

The rain outside gradually subsided.

Stella Valentine opened her eyes to find the pillow beside her empty. The lingering warmth in the sheets told her Adrian Roland had left some time ago.

She reached out and touched the indentation where he had lain. Her fingertips met cool fabric.

Sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, casting dappled patterns across the bedsheet. For a fleeting moment, she remembered those lonely mornings in the past, watching sunlight slowly claim the entire bed.

Her phone vibrated abruptly.

"Stella!" Joy Fairsprene's voice pierced through the receiver. "I've been knocking on your hotel door forever! Where are you?"

Stella rubbed her temples. "I'm not at the hotel."

"What?" Joy's voice shot up an octave. "Then where are you? I have explosive news!"

"I'm at..." Stella hesitated. "The Roland family estate."

Silence.

"Adrian's place?" Joy gasped. "Are the kids there too?"

"Yes."

"Oh my god!" Joy sounded ready to combust. "Did he threaten you with the kids again? That bastard! Send me the address—I'm coming to punch him!"

Stella cut her off. "It's not what you think. Meet me at the office in half an hour. I'll explain."

Hanging up, Stella studied her reflection. Last night's clothes clung to her, wrinkled and damp with the scent of rain.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Miss Stella?" Benjamin Langley's voice called softly. "Are you awake?"

At her permission, the elderly butler entered. His gaze swept over the empty side of the bed. "The young master didn't return last night?"

Stella lowered her lashes. "I wouldn't know."

"This weather..." Benjamin wrung his hands anxiously. "His old injuries always flare up when it changes. Why would he go out..."

Stella caught the implication. "You knew he'd leave?"

The butler flushed. "The master meant well..."

"You tampered with the locks?" Realization dawned. "And that bottle of wine?"

"That was premium deer blood tonic!" Benjamin stomped his foot in frustration. "I poured three glasses! How could it have no effect? Was it counterfeit?"

Stella's ears burned as she grabbed her bag. "Please look after the children. I need to get to the office."

By the time her taxi reached downtown, Joy had already bombarded her with a dozen messages.

The moment Stella opened the office door, a pink blur tackled her.

"Stella!" Joy clung like a koala, sniffing suspiciously. "Good, no trace of that scumbag."

Stella laughed despite herself. "Are you part bloodhound?"

Joy leaned in conspiratorially. "Seriously, he didn't try anything last night?"

"He's CEO Roland now," Stella said calmly, organizing files. "Too busy to bother with me."

"Bull!" Joy plopped onto the desk. "He's been miserable these past few years—"

Seeing Stella's raised brow, she backtracked. "Not that I'm defending him! So...how are things with Dr. Melford?"

"Medically enlightening." Stella smiled faintly. "Romantically? Not happening."

Joy opened her mouth to retort, then froze at Stella's next question.

"Do you know about deer blood tonic?"

Joy spat out her water, frantically dabbing at her blouse. "W-why are you asking?"

Stella studied her knowingly. "So you do."

Joy's face turned scarlet. "Blame Julian Valois! He brought home a bottle last week. I only had a sip..."

"And then?"

"Then..." Joy buried her face in her hands, voice muffled. "I pinned him down."

Stella's folder clattered to the floor.

"Seriously!" Joy lifted her head, eyes blazing. "Just a capful, and the effect was..." She mimed an explosion. "Terrifying!"

Suddenly, Stella remembered Adrian's bloodshot eyes last night—and that final, restrained embrace.