Chapter 347

"...So Uncle Xavier was really the one..."

Grant Rubenstein sneered. "In all of Houston, who else could orchestrate such an elaborate scheme? Are you truly ignorant, or just unwilling to admit it?"

"..."

"Don't believe me? Fine, let me enlighten you—when you were still Mr. Alistair, you planned to abandon Adrian Roland's identity and elope with Stella Valentine under your alias. On your way to the airport, your car crashed—"

Adrian's pupils constricted sharply. "The accident that put me in a coma for months?"

"Precisely."

"It was Uncle Xavier..."

Grant's lips curled. "I was the one behind the wheel."

Adrian's head snapped up, his gaze sharp as a blade.

"Don't look at me like that. I merely followed Uncle Xavier's orders. He said it'd be best if you survived—with Stella gone, you'd have no choice but to serve him. And if you died... well, that would've been convenient too. As long as you drew breath, you'd never escape his grasp."

Adrian tilted his head back, eyes shut tight as his heart plunged into icy depths.

So this was the truth...

How utterly cruel...

His Adam's apple bobbed. "Uncle Xavier took me back, forced Stella to leave alone, and lied to her about my death?"

"Essentially, yes. Mr. Alistair did perish in that crash. Even if you smashed your arm to pieces, he wouldn't return." Grant shook his head in mock sympathy. "Pity you can't remember. Do you think Stella would believe you now if you told her you're Mr. Alistair?"

A phone suddenly rang.

Grant raised an eyebrow. "Your private line, Mr. Roland."

His left arm hung limp against the car hood as his right hand trembled, discarding the baseball bat to retrieve the phone from his inner pocket.

A star-shaped icon flashed onscreen—his special contact for Stella.

He took several deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the storm of emotions.

Answer.

"Hello?"

Chaotic noise and barking filled the line. "I have plans tonight. Don't wait up at the estate. Make something up if Grandpa asks."

His chest tightened. "Where are you?"

"...Rose Garden."

"That area's being demolished! It's dangerous! What are you doing there alone? I should—"

"Don't come!" Her voice turned urgent. "I'm... not alone. It's not a good time."

Something in her tone set off alarms. "Who's with you? Dr. Melford? Or Victor Valence?"

The only men who'd make her uncomfortable were those two.

But she'd denied involvement with both.

"Neither... It's personal. I'm safe. Goodbye."

"Wait—"

The line went dead.

Grant smirked. "Stella? Still holding a grudge?"

Adrian redialed with a frown.

One ring before disconnection.

He tried again—only to hear an automated voicemail prompt.

Grant's grin widened. "Blocked?"

Adrian snatched Grant's phone, rapidly punching in the memorized digits.

Ring—

Connected.

Stella's voice crackled with anger. "What more do you want?!"

"Little Star..."

She froze. "Adrian? Why are you calling from Grant's—"

"You blocked me?"

"...I need space."

"I'll respect that, but at least tell me who you're with. What should I tell Grandpa? What about the kids when they ask for Mommy?"

Long silence.

Finally, a sigh. "It's Mr. Alistair."

"Who?!"

"Mr. Alistair is back. Adrian, I'll play along until Grandpa leaves. After that... we're done."

"..."

"Adrian?"

"...I heard." His voice turned gravelly. "Are you certain... it's really him?"

"He brought our dog. Cotton recognized me immediately."

"..."

"He remembers the name I gave him."

"Is that so." Adrian stared at his mangled left arm with a bitter laugh. "Little Star, there's something you must know."

"Go on."

"I am Mr. Alistair."

"Have you lost your mind?! Should I call Dr. Klein for you?"

"I'm sane. I truly am him. The man with you is an impostor."

"Prove it."

"I..." He faltered.

"Mr. Alistair loves spicy food. You can't tolerate it."

"..."

"He remembers exactly which unit we lived in at Rose Garden. Do you?"

"..."

"Adrian, stop this."

He licked cracked lips. "Does this seem like a joke? Little Star, I am him. Just believe me this once, please?"

The raw plea made her breath catch.

Stella laughed bitterly. "I once begged just as desperately for you to believe the crash wasn't my fault. Did you believe me then?"