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

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

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

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

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