Chapter 400

"No need." Adrian's gaze lingered on the window, his voice low. "Are Grandpa and the children settled?"

Vincent answered promptly, "They're at your marital home—the villa in the suburbs."

"What reason did you give?"

"I said the old estate needed renovations."

Adrian gave a slight nod. "Well done. What about the police?"

Vincent hesitated. "Mrs. Roland took the impostor to withdraw the kidnapping charges this morning. The case has been dropped."

"Besides kidnapping, what else did he frame her for?"

"Petty theft—medicine, daily necessities, clothes..." Vincent paused. "The most expensive item was a wedding dress. The priciest one in the store."

Adrian shook his head. "He didn't steal that dress."

"Mrs. Roland did?"

"It was me."

Vincent's eyes widened. "You—"

"Have Charlie retrieve it from the hospital storage locker." Adrian cut him off.

Vincent nodded. "I'll contact him right away. That dress is worth a million. Returning it should settle everything else."

"No." Adrian's tone was firm. "Pay for it in full and bring the dress to me."

Vincent opened his mouth but chose to address the immediate task first. "I'll handle it immediately."

His eyes fell on the handcuff around Adrian's wrist, the other end chained to the hospital bed railing.

"Boss..." Vincent clenched his teeth. "I regret not convincing you to listen to Charlie. Those three months, he was by your and Mrs. Roland's side. He knew the situation best."

Adrian chuckled and waved him off.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Here to check if I'm dead yet?" Adrian glanced toward the entrance.

"Among other things." Grant Rubenstein entered with a cane, his gaze sweeping over Adrian's leg. "Now we match. Uncle Xavier would kill me if he knew."

Adrian smirked coldly. "Where did Vincent Atlante come from?"

"Don't blame Uncle Xavier." Grant shook his head. "Vincent sought him out. Uncle only wanted him to drive you two apart. He never expected Vincent to play him too. The man doesn't want money—he wants the entire Roland family."

"The Rolands are beyond his reach."

Grant raised an eyebrow. "Got a plan?"

"Handle with care."

"Understood." Grant nodded. "Having Mrs. Roland in his grasp does complicate things."

"Is our deal still on?"

"Of course." Grant narrowed his eyes. "What do you need? Lure Vincent out?"

"I'll deal with Vincent." Adrian met his gaze. "Your job is to protect Stella and her mother."

Before Grant could respond, Adrian continued, "Your informants dug up how much Uncle Xavier left me. Protecting two people shouldn't be hard."

Grant laughed. "Nothing gets past you."

"I don't care about what you want."

"Never thought we'd work together." Grant sighed.

"Mutual benefit."

......

Two days later.

An officer unlocked his handcuffs. "Mr. Adrian Roland II, the stolen goods have been compensated. The merchants are no longer pressing charges. You're free to go."

Adrian flexed his wrist with a quiet "Hmm."

"Also, we couldn't locate your household registration records. You'll need to complete the paperwork."

"Fine."

The officer took photos for documentation. "Where should we mail the ID once it's ready?"

"I'll collect it myself."

Penny Anderson helped him up, her eyes red. "Boss, I may have wished you'd get hit by a car, but I never meant for this..."

Adrian waved off her concern.

"Don't worry about the company," Penny whispered. "Mrs. Roland is managing everything. She's swamped."

"Vincent?"

"That impostor?" Penny gritted her teeth. "Playing mascot in your office every day, loving every minute of it."

"He hasn't interfered?"

"He obeys Mrs. Roland like a puppet." Penny frowned. "But he seems... content with it."

Adrian's eyes flickered.

Penny leaned closer. "Mrs. Roland asked me to tell you she has no choice. She'll explain everything when you come home. She'll consult you on company matters..." She hesitated. "She and the children are waiting for you."