Chapter 340

The walnut in Mr. Xavier Atlante's hand clattered to the wooden floor, rolling far away.

It stopped near Grant Rubenstein's cane. As he bent to pick it up, his knuckles turned white from the force of his grip. "You truly remember everything now?"

Adrian Roland's gaze swept past him, landing on Stella Valentine. The sharpness in his eyes melted into tenderness. "Stella, I'm late."

Her pupils trembled. "You..."

"Our four-year promise—I never forgot." He reached out, brushing away nonexistent dust from her shoulder. "I only forgot who I was. The stars over Mount Rainier are just as beautiful as they were four years ago."

The words "four-year promise" struck like thunder.

Stella staggered back half a step, gripping the armrest to steady herself.

Mr. Alistair... was Adrian Roland?

How could that be?

Grant chuckled, leaning on his cane. "Mr. Roland, are you having another episode? I know some excellent psychiatrists."

"Thanks to you." Adrian shielded Stella behind him, his eyes icy. "It was the doctor you sent who helped me remember my other identity."

The cane left deep marks in the carpet.

"Ridiculous!" Mr. Xavier shattered his teacup. "Ever since meeting this woman, you've lost your mind!"

"Uncle Xavier." Adrian's voice was calm as the sea. "The car accident four years ago—that was your doing, wasn't it? The businesses I've managed for you these years have repaid my debt to you."

Mr. Xavier's face paled.

Grant suddenly laughed. "Miss Valentine knows best—Mr. Alistair and Mr. Roland are clearly two different people."

All eyes turned to Stella.

She studied the faint lines between Adrian's brows—the same creases Mr. Alistair always had from frowning.

"Under the crabapple tree..." Adrian stepped closer, his breath warm against her ear. "You said you wanted to see snow. The petals falling that night were our first snowfall."

Her fingers trembled.

That secret evening—she remembered even the weight of petals on her shoulders.

"The mountain path behind Mount Rainier has no streetlights." He pressed her hand to his chest. "Turn right at the third fork, then navigate seven sharp curves."

Beneath her palm, his heartbeat was steady and strong.

Tears streamed down Stella's face.

That hidden trail didn't even appear on GPS. She'd searched for it countless times, always losing her way at the seventh bend.

"Shall we go now?" He wiped a tear from her cheek. "The road is dark and slippery—I'll carry you up."

Mr. Xavier coughed violently. "Adrian! Have you lost your mind?"

"I've never been clearer." Adrian wrapped an arm around Stella's shoulders. "From now on, anyone who touches her is my enemy."

Night wind carrying the sound of waves rushed into the room.

Grant stared at their joined hands, the silver engravings on his cane gleaming coldly.

Only when the red taillights vanished along the coastline did Mr. Xavier hurl an ashtray in fury. "How could he regain his memory now?!"

"Hypnosis always wears off eventually." Grant stroked the top of his cane. "I just didn't expect..."

Shards of glass reflected his sinister profile.

On the winding coastal road, Adrian drove with one hand, the other never leaving Stella's.

"Slow down at the third curve." His voice was quiet. "Last time, you sprained your ankle here."

She looked out at the dark pines.

Four years ago on a rainy night, Mr. Alistair had given the same warning. She'd been wearing ill-fitting heels, nearly tumbling into the ravine.

Moonlight traced Adrian's sharp jawline—a perfect match to the silhouette in her memories.

"Why..." Her voice broke. "Didn't you tell me sooner?"

The tires crunched over gravel as the car swayed. Suddenly, he turned the wheel sharply, parking at a cliffside overlook.

In the distance, a lighthouse beam swept across his deep-set eyes.

"Stella." He cradled her face. "For four years, I searched for you every single day."