Chapter 331

Stella Valentine deliberately avoided any mention of Mr. Alistair.

Adrian Roland keenly sensed her resistance.

"Alright," he conceded quietly.

Stella hastily gestured toward the front hall. "I need to find Joy."

Before he could respond, she was already lifting the hem of her dress and hurrying away.

"How adorable she looks in heels..."

That voice—

Adrian whirled around, his pupils contracting sharply. "What are you doing here?"

Grant Rubenstein leaned on his cane, his smile sinister. "Uncle Xavier sent me to deliver birthday gifts." His gaze lingered on the bite mark on Adrian's neck. "Miss Valentine certainly left quite a mark."

Adrian instinctively recoiled from the man. "None of your concern."

"Don't be so tense." Grant's grin widened. "I'm just here to remind you—Uncle Xavier still doesn't know about your heroic rescue."

"Planning to snitch?"

"I don't have that kind of free time." Grant spread his hands. "But... if Uncle loses faith in you, I'll be his only choice."

Adrian scoffed. "Finally showing your true colors."

"Hah! That's more like you." Grant suddenly lowered his voice. "Want to know Mr. Alistair's real identity?"

Adrian's expression hardened.

"He resembles you for a reason." Grant leaned closer. "He's your twin brother."

"Ridiculous!" Adrian snapped. "Everyone in Houston knows the Roland family only has one son."

"But your brother was declared 'stillborn' at birth, wasn't he?" Grant's tone dripped with implication. "This came straight from Mr. Alistair himself."

Adrian froze as if struck by lightning.

"Miss Valentine had one condition for him—" Grant enunciated each word. "As long as it wasn't you."

The words stabbed like a knife through his heart.

"Painful, isn't it?" Grant savored his reaction. "She'd rather choose a substitute than forgive you."

Adrian suddenly laughed. "David wants the gemstones. You want Uncle Xavier's empire. Quite the appetite."

"I have no interest in your woman." Grant waved dismissively. "But... what if I told you that car crash that put you in a coma? Uncle Xavier ordered it."

The air turned glacial.

"I was the driver." Grant's smile turned cruel. "Ask him yourself if you don't believe me."

A deadly chill radiated from Adrian.

"Once you've confirmed the truth, we'll talk business." Grant turned to leave but paused. "I hold the trump card to win Stella back. Trade me Uncle Xavier's empire for it."