All Chapters of THE REJECTED GENIUS : Chapter 221
- Chapter 230
234 chapters
220
Chapter 220I stood still at the door, my hand blocking the entrance from allowing the devil into my house. Her perfume hit me before her words sank in—sweet, intoxicating, dangerous. Tessa always carried an aura that demanded attention, that drowned out logic and whispered ruin in the ears of those who listened too long.“Tessa,” I muttered, forcing myself to remain calm. “What the hell are you doing here?”She tilted her head, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Is that really how you greet someone you once loved?” Her gaze flicked briefly over my shoulder, catching Park’s eyes before settling back on mine. “Or do I need to remind you of our history?”“ Once loved?” I looked at her and scoffed. “ I don't consider what we shared love. You planned on using me.” “History?” Park scoffed from behind me. “Lady, the only history you have is leaving chaos wherever you go. You should’ve stayed gone.”Her smile didn’t waver. “Ah, Park. Still clinging to your wit even with death breathing down yo
221
Chapter 221 I flew out of the house even before Park could yell at me, asking me to stop. I knew I was not thinking straight, but it doesn't matter. I needed to make sure Zee was safe. It was the only thing on my mind. The only thing I could think of. The wailing of the police siren was so loud, and I could hear the chatter of the people, too. My eyes scanned the world, and for a moment, I forgot what it actually felt like. To be human, to walk the street or take a cab. But the fact remains that I was not like them. I was fast, I could fly, and I was built in a way that none of them were. Maybe I was the president that they needed?Maybe I was the only one who could keep the world safe? Make it a better place, but what good am I if I cannot keep my girlfriend safe? I know what I need to do. It has been long overdue. I knew proposing to Zee right in the open was the only reasonable thing to make Tessa back off. I don't care what she wants, but she is not having things go her wa
222
Chapter 222For a brief moment, I said nothing but simply stared at her. Made me remember when I first met her. “Tessa, listen to yourself,” I said, my voice a low growl, each word sharpened with anger. “You think marriage is a solution? You think forcing me will make me love you? You’re sick. Twisted. You don’t want me—you just don’t want to lose.”Her nails dug into Zee’s skin, making her wince. “Lose?” Tessa echoed, her laugh harsh and broken. “I don’t lose, Adrian. I take it. And I always get what I want. You should know that by now.”“I do know,” I muttered, inching closer, “which is why I’m telling you this ends tonight.”Her eyes glittered dangerously, her lips curling into a smirk. “Don’t play the hero, Adrian. Heroes die. Villains survive.”Zee’s sobs grew louder, breaking something inside me. I clenched my fists so tightly I felt my nails pierce my skin. Every instinct screamed at me to rush forward, to grab Zee, to end this nightmare. But Tessa’s stance, the positioning o
223
Chapter 223The door was left ajar as Tessa walked out, leaving the two of us staring at the exit. The silence that followed Tessa’s departure was suffocating. Her laughter still echoed through the hallway as the sound of her heels brought discomfort to our ears. Zee clung to my arm, trembling, her face buried against my chest. My heart was still pounding from the adrenaline, from the image of her dangling against that fragile window, seconds away from death.I held her tighter, whispering into her hair. “It’s over. You’re safe now.”But the words felt hollow even as I said them. I wasn’t sure if I was trying to reassure her or myself. Because Tessa’s last words wouldn’t leave me. You are going to have to choose between us.She had something planned. Something that made my blood run cold.Zee pulled back, her eyes swollen from tears, her voice hoarse. “Adrian… what did she mean?”I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Not yet. I brushed a strand of hair from her face and kissed her forehead.
224
Chapter 224I simply looked at her and smiled. I don't want to be a president even though I know I could do a lot and protect innocent lives by claiming the seat. I need allies and if Sophia was right about her father siding with me then all I needed was to take her hand. Zee, Sophia, and Tessa are all trying to gain my attention. But right now, all I needed was some peace and sanity. My life has been a mess ever since I decided to take up the last name of my father. I shut my eyes, trying to think. It was not a matter of power anymore but it. Sophia’s words echoed in the silence of my office.“Marry me, Adrian. That’s all you need to do. With my father’s influence, the Presidency is yours without a single bullet fired.”I leaned back in my chair, fingers steepled beneath my chin, studying her like a puzzle that refused to fit. The audacity in her tone, the arrogance in her posture—it reminded me of the Sophia I used to know, the Sophia who once laughed at me in front of an entire
225
Chapter 225 I knew it was not going to be easy. I just need to prepare myself and get ready for whatever is going to happen next. Sophia was back, and there was Tessa, who wanted me so badly she was ready to kill her sister. I also needed to confront my worst enemies, my fears, and my political opponents. All I ever craved was peace. A life where I can walk my street without getting riled up or scared. A city where my unborn children can walk without feeling scared. That was the vision I had in mind, but first, I needed to make sure all of them were dead. I dashed out of the office with my phone pressed hard against my ears. I have dialed Mother Alisha's phone for the tenth time, and it went to voicemail. If you asked me, I was scared. After the death of Leo, she was the only thing I had close to a mother, a family. I am not ready to lose her. Not yet. “ Are you alright, sir?” My secretary asked, walking out of her office. She had a worried look on her face when she saw me.
226
Chapter 226 I was stunned to see the man who was like a father figure to me in flesh and blood. I could hardly believe it. I remembered the look on Leo's face when he died. His instructions and the things he wanted me to do. Seeing him again brought about mixed feelings. Here was a man who I thought was dead, gone, standing right in front of me. “ You are not him.” I let out slowly, even though I wanted it to be true. “ You can decide not to believe it, but I am him. The same man who had always advised you, helped you. I am the man who shaped you into what you have become, and without me…” he said, taking a stride closer to me. “ Without you?” I looked at him, my gaze boring into his very soul. “ Without me, you won't be what you are today, son. You owe all of this to me.” Leo said, walking past me. “ Where is she? Where is my mother?” I asked, staring, my eyes darting back and forth. A part of me was not surprised at what I was seeing. I had seen Nathan and his father clone
227
Chapter 227“ You had me locked away for a very long time, Adrian.” The man in a mask said with his hand folded. “ Do you think I was going to let you live happily ever after?”My gaze darted towards my mother and back at the man seated across the table. “ What do you want? It is clear that you need something from me. So tell me.” I said with a grim face.“ What is it?”“ You are going to drop from the race. The people want you, but you are going to let them know you don’t want it.”“ And why would I do that? I have always wanted one thing.” My voice was laced with vermin.“ And what is that, Adrian? Indulge me,” the man said again, relaxing in his chair.He had two men who were flanking him. Both had a look that showed menace.My gaze darted back to Mother Alisha, who was visibly scared. I knew one mistake from my side was going to see her head on a platter.“ Does it matter?” I said, gulping down the thick saliva at the back of my throat.“ Of course, you have always believed you ar
228
Chapter 228 When the light came back on, I stared at the empty eyes in front of me. Her blood pooled straight to my feet. I felt my leg weakening. My lips quivered like I had been locked in an ice cave for a long time. The room was silent. Edwin was gone, and so were his men. I rushed to her side and called her name silently. “ Alisha. Can you hear me?” Her eyes were open, staring at me. I felt guilty crawling up my skin. My chest felt like it was going to explode from the pain I was feeling. I immediately cut my skin open and poured my blood right into her mouth. “ Please, mother. Wake up!” I shouted as my voice echoed through the empty room. Her skin was now pale. I felt the world around me collapsing. Everything I have tried to live for, I have built. It was all slowly crumbling around me. I gently carried her up and laid her on the table in front of me. My wound slowly healed up as I stared at her face, whispering a silent prayer. I have never believed in God. Where was
229
Chapter 229At first, we both stood still. Parked looked at me. “Did you hear that?” He asked slowly, walking towards the table that was far from us. “I did, but it can't be,” I replied, even though I wished I was sure I heard correctly. The sound was faint at first, then it came again, the second time, almost like the room itself groaned under the weight of our grief. Park and I turned at the same time, our eyes locking onto the table.Alisha.Her lips parted ever so slightly. A gentle breath escaped, fragile and fleeting, but it was there. My heart lurched inside my chest.“No…” I whispered, stumbling toward her. “No, that’s not possible. She was gone. I—I felt it—”“Did you do something, Adrian?” Park asked with his eyebrows arched. It was not as if it could not be done, but I had never tried bringing anyone back. Did my blood do this?“I only gave her my blood.” Park’s bloodshot eyes widened as he leaned in closer. “She’s breathing, Adrian. She’s… she’s alive.”I dropped to