Chapter 98

Moonlight cascaded like liquid silver.

Adrian Roland froze abruptly, his pupils contracting. He seized Vincent Astor's tie and dragged him into the elevator.

"Mr. Roland!" Vincent stumbled, bracing against the wall. "What's wrong?"

"Them?" Adrian's voice was strained. "Besides Lily Savigny, who else?"

"Her mother." Vincent adjusted his crooked tie. "That woman's verbal assaults are truly..."

Ding—

The elevator doors opened.

Adrian strode toward the CEO's office, his dress shoes tapping a rapid rhythm on the marble floor.

"Recount that day's events." He halted at Vincent's desk. "Every detail."

Vincent swallowed hard. "Miss Savigny said she needed to use the restroom..."

"How long?"

"About half an hour." Beads of sweat formed on Vincent's forehead. "Her mother kept harassing me..."

Adrian retraced the path Vincent described. His gaze settled on the narrow gap behind the desk, his eyes darkening.

"Was the computer on?"

"I was handling your emails..."

Adrian closed his eyes briefly.

Everything made sense now.

Luna's alcohol poisoning. The exposure of the ancestral home. Those baby supply deliveries with suspicious addresses.

"Mr. Roland?" Vincent ventured cautiously.

"Ban them from the premises." Adrian's voice was icy. "I'll handle Luna's purchases."

Vincent nodded. "Did you drink last night?"

Adrian frowned.

"You smell of alcohol." Vincent hesitated. "Mrs. Roland always reminded you..."

The phone rang abruptly.

Unknown caller.

"Hello?"

"Adrian!" Lily's voice trembled with tears. "I know the truth about the car accident! Your parents' vehicle..."

Adrian's grip tightened. "Explain."

"Brake system failure..." Her breathing grew frantic. "Meet me. Six years of my youth—I want two million."

"Stay away from Ethan and Luna."

"Deal."

......

In the hospital room, Stella Valentine gazed at the neon lights outside.

Her phone screen lit up.

[Busy tonight. See you tomorrow.]

Her finger hovered over the screen before typing a single word: "Okay."

[We'll meet soon.]

Her heart skipped a beat.

[Sleep well. Dream of me.]

She smiled faintly. [I can't control dreams.]

[Then wait for me to enter yours.]

Night deepened. Stella curled protectively around the sleeping Luna and closed her eyes.

Perhaps it was better he didn't come. This time, don't make her wait too long.

......

The apartment was thick with cloying perfume.

"Adrian?" Lily emerged from the shadows, offering a glass of water. "To warm your stomach."

He took it and drained the glass.

"Now will you talk?"

Lily suddenly pressed against him, arms encircling his waist. "Kiss me one last time."

Dizziness struck. Adrian's vision blurred as heat flooded his body...