Chapter 351

Stella's mind went blank.

"Who did this?" Her voice trembled. "Mr. Xavier? Or someone else?"

Julian crossed his arms, brows furrowed. "Ask him yourself."

Adrian gave a faint smile and shook his head. "It doesn't matter. What's done is done. You're not going to fight them, are you?"

"Of course I am!" Stella said firmly. "Tell me who it was. I'll demand justice!"

"You—"

"I don't care who they are. How dare they do this to you? It's a crime! Even if they're powerful, I'll take them to court!"

Adrian chuckled softly and patted her hand with his right one. "Your words are enough. Go on. Don't keep him waiting."

"Adrian!" Julian cut in sharply.

"Enough." Adrian stopped him and turned back to Stella. "I promised you—if he returned, I'd let you go. I'll handle Grandfather. You... go to him."

Stella bit her lip. "But on the phone earlier, you said—"

"I'm sick, remember?" His voice was gentle. "You met him? Talked about the past?"

"...Yes."

"So you had a dog together? What breed?"

"Samoyed."

"Adorable." He asked softly, "Is he good to you?"

"..."

"Silly question. Of course he is." Adrian said, "Go. Don't waste time because of me."

Stella's heart was in turmoil.

Julian opened his mouth several times but stopped under Adrian's warning gaze.

"Celeste's surgery is soon," Stella finally said. "Mr. Alistair can wait. I need to be with her."

"Fair enough." He nudged her gently. "Go now, before I change my mind."

Stella hesitated. "You're really... not him?"

"If I were, would you forgive me? Stay?"

"I..."

"You hesitated." He smiled bitterly. "Don't worry. I'm not him. You'll never have to make that choice."

"..."

"Go."

Julian sighed. "Joy, take Ms. Valentine back to the estate."

Outside, Joy looked confused. "What's going on? Is that man really Mr. Alistair or not?"

Julian ushered them out and locked the door.

"Soundproof. No need to hold back now."

A muffled groan escaped Adrian's throat as he clutched his left arm, sweat pouring down his face.

Julian handed him a pill bottle. "Expired painkillers. Better than nothing."

Adrian dry-swallowed them.

"Slow down! You can't—"

Ten minutes later, the sharp pain dulled to an ache.

Julian frowned. "Why change your mind? She'd believe me."

"She hates me."

"She wouldn't if she knew you're him."

"Then she'd suffer more." Adrian's face was ashen. "How could she choose?"

"So you're giving up?"

"How do I prove it?" Adrian laughed bitterly. "I didn't even know about the dog."

"Not worried the impostor will hurt her?"

"If he fooled her, he must be convincing." Adrian analyzed. "Two motives: revenge or money."

Julian nodded. "Pulling this off takes resources."

"Which means... my brother might be alive."

"My thoughts exactly."

Adrian took a deep breath. "Then it's simple. By pretending to be Mr. Alistair, he wants both. He hates our family and me for inheriting everything."

"Your plan?"

"Get a lawyer. Transfer my assets to the kids." Adrian said. "For money, he'll treat them well."

"And you?"

"Me?" He glanced at his useless arm. "What right does a cripple have?"

"Then why stage the car crash? If you're giving up the identity, why risk recovering memories?"

Adrian was silent for a long moment.

"Because in those memories... I was happy."