Chapter 379

Stella Valentine's fingers trembled slightly.

She had intended to expose the impostor immediately but changed her mind at the last moment.

Adrian Roland once mentioned having a twin brother.

If this man truly shared Adrian's bloodline, she knew Adrian would willingly surrender his entire fortune without hesitation.

What unsettled her more was the timing.

Why reveal himself now?

Someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Unless she uncovered the mastermind, the danger would never end.

"The crabapple tree can wait." She suppressed her rising emotions. "We'll visit another day."

Vincent Atlante narrowed his eyes. "Fine. Then let's head straight to the old mansion to see Grandfather."

"Wait." Stella tightened her grip on her purse strap. "I left something at the hotel."

"What could be so important?"

"I need it now."

Vincent suddenly leaned in, his breath hot against her ear. "Stella, are you afraid of me?"

Her spine stiffened. "You frightened me last night."

"What's wrong with intimacy between husband and wife?" His lips curled into a cold smile. "Or have you forgotten this marriage is just an act?"

"That's not—"

"Prove it then." He seized her wrist. "Once we secure the Roland fortune, we'll have children of our own."

Stella yanked her hand back. "Why were you at the hospital?"

"Just passing by."

"Really?" She met his gaze head-on. "Celeste was being discharged today."

A flicker of tension crossed his face before he chuckled. "Ah, so that's it. Let's go retrieve your belongings."

Inside the taxi, Stella pressed herself against the door.

"Houston Grand Hotel." Vincent gave the address, his fingers tracing idle circles on her knee.

Bile rose in her throat. At the hotel entrance, she spun around abruptly. "Wait here."

"Why can't I come up?"

"Five minutes." She pointed to the lobby. "There's only one exit."

After a tense pause, he relented. "Hurry."

The elevator doors barely closed before Stella dialed Vincent Astor. "Get Grandfather and the children out immediately!"

"What's wrong?"

"No time! Just go!"

She rushed down the hallway to Room 1231.

The fingerprint lock beeped—then a brutal shove sent her stumbling into darkness.

Hot breath grazed her neck.

"My dear wife," Vincent's voice slithered like a serpent, "who were you calling?"

He pinned her against the door.

"Let me go!"

"Patience." He yanked the curtain cord loose, binding her wrists. "We're making a special video."

"You're insane!"

"Let's see how Adrian's weak heart handles this." He aimed his phone's camera. "One video might not be enough..."

Her blood turned to ice.

"...until it kills him."

"They're your family!"

"Family?" Vincent exploded in rage. "The Rolands will pay in blood!"

Dragging her by the restraints, he hauled her toward the unmade bed.

"Guess what?" He tore off his tie. "This might finally push him to suicide."

Stella scrambled backward. "I'll give you anything!"

"I want him dead." His grip crushed her jaw. "I want the Roland line ended."

The camera's red light blinked coldly.

Suddenly, Stella smiled. "Did your puppet master forget to mention?"

"What?"

"This room has surveillance." She stared directly into the lens. "Every crime you've committed since entering is recorded."

Vincent's face twisted.

In that split second of distraction, Stella rammed her shoulder into the nightstand.

Sirens blared through the entire floor.