Chapter 97

The crystal chandelier's glow cast shadows across Sophia Durand's sullen face in the Sun family villa.

"Did Adrian really say that?" Her teacup slammed onto the coffee table with a sharp crack.

Lily Savigny curled into the sofa corner, her smudged mascara creating dark streaks. "He rushed straight to the rooftop to find Stella... Mom, he still can't let that woman go!"

"Stop panicking," Sophia sneered. "Men are all the same. His obsession with Stella is only because of that child."

"That bitch has nine lives!" Lily ground her teeth. "Even that high-proof alcohol couldn't kill her!"

Sophia narrowed her eyes. "If only you could conceive..."

"Mom!" Lily suddenly clutched her hand. "What if we try another overseas clinic?"

"Can you leave now?" Sophia shook her head. "The moment you're gone, Adrian will run straight to Stella."

Lily's nails dug crescent moons into her palms.

"Your body is so peculiar," Sophia muttered. "Just a few miscarriages and you're infertile? Those nightclub girls have abortions a dozen times and still pop out babies..."

"It's those disgusting old men's fault!" Lily shrieked. "Ugly bastards who promised divorces, then vanished when I got pregnant!"

Sophia patted her daughter's hand. "I should've had you target unmarried men like Adrian from the start."

"Back then he only had eyes for Stella!"

"But you still got him in the end, didn't you?" Sophia's lips curled triumphantly. "Listen—a woman's career means nothing compared to a good marriage. Look at Aunt Liu, killing herself at work while I enjoy spas and shopping..."

Lily's gaze flickered. "What do we do now? Maybe..." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "We could take care of Stella's child—"

"Fool!" Sophia leaned in sharply. "Stella has Julian Valois protecting her now. Brute force won't work." She produced a small vial from her purse. "I have a better plan..."

As Sophia whispered, Lily's pupils dilated. "This... would it really work?"

"Relax," Sophia smirked. "Once it's done, Adrian will never escape you."

New Frontier Group's executive conference room hummed with tension.

The video call had lasted forty minutes. Beads of sweat dotted the Black manager's forehead onscreen.

"Eric, ten points! That's our final offer!"

Adrian Roland stared blankly at the monitor, his knuckles rapping a hollow rhythm on the mahogany table.

Stella's resolute eyes haunted him.

Why?

Just one month—how had everything shattered so completely?

"Mr. Roland?" Vincent Astor murmured. "They've already conceded ten points..."

Adrian snapped back to reality. "Deal."

The screen went dark. Vincent exhaled. "Sir, Ethan has returned to Houston with Attorney Sullivan."

"When?" Adrian shot up from his chair.

"Recently..." Vincent hesitated. "Miss Savigny keeps visiting the office..."

Adrian's gaze turned glacial. "What does she want?"

"She claims..." Vincent swallowed. "To discuss wedding arrangements with you."