Chapter 495

Stella Valentine paused at the stairwell corner, spotting Penny Anderson standing in the living room, bowing nervously to Adrian Roland. Her steps faltered as an inexplicable anger surged within her.

"Stella!" Penny jumped like a startled rabbit upon seeing her. "I swear it wasn't my idea! Mr. Roland said Martha took the kids and made me keep it from you—"

Stella's lips curled into a cold smile. "So you helped him lie to me?"

Penny stomped her foot in frustration. "I was terrified! I almost called the police! If Mr. Roland hadn't called when he did—"

"Enough." Stella cut her off. "Where is he?"

"In... in the study." Penny shrank back. "Please don't be angry. He must have had his reasons..."

Ignoring her, Stella marched upstairs. She needed answers—why did he always use the children as an excuse to lure her here?

Just as she reached the study door, it swung open.

Adrian stood in the doorway, leaning on his cane, his gaze intense. "I heard everything."

Stella turned her face away. "Good. Saves me repeating myself."

"I'm sorry." His voice was low. "I didn't think it through."

She bit her lip, the accusations she'd prepared dissolving at the sight of his pale complexion and the cane in his hand.

"I heard you met with William Aldridge."

Her head snapped up. "Are you having me followed?"

"No." He gave a bitter smile. "Vincent happened to see you. Stella, that man—"

"My clients are none of your concern." Her tone was icy.

Adrian's eyes darkened. "I know. I just... I'm jealous."

The word hit her like a physical blow.

"In school, I intercepted every love letter those boys wrote you." His laugh was self-deprecating. "Some habits never change."

Her heart skipped. So that was why no one had pursued her in high school.

"William is far more dangerous than those schoolboys." Adrian's voice tightened. "I'm afraid you—"

"Afraid of what?" she challenged. "That I'll be fooled? Adrian, I'm not that naive girl anymore."

"I know." His voice softened. "But I can't help it."

The raw vulnerability in his eyes—something the once-confident Adrian would never have shown—struck her deeply.

"I asked Martha to take the kids because she missed them." He paused. "And because... I wanted to see you."

Her breath caught. Such directness left her unprepared.

Children's laughter floated up from downstairs, making the silence between them heavier. Suddenly, Stella realized her anger had faded.

"Don't do it again." That was all she said before turning toward the stairs.

Watching her go, Adrian allowed himself a small smile. He knew—she'd forgiven him.