She was still reeling, trying to understand what she had just witnessed, when suddenly she forced a bright, eager laugh.“Oh my God… I didn’t realize it was really you, Adrian!” Her voice pitched up, sticky-sweet with fake affection. “I should’ve known! I mean—wow, look at you!”She stepped closer with forced ease, smoothing her blazer like they were old friends reuniting after years.“We were classmates, remember? Back in university? You helped me out in Business Strategy class, and we always got lunch together, right?” She laughed again. “Those were good times!” Her voice was filled with sweet affection that irritated Adrian.The guards were taken back by Victoria'd sudden change in tone towards Adrian.Didn't she ask them to break his how few minutes ago?Sylvester, who has no idea what had happened blinked, his eyes darting between the two of them. “Wait… you two were classmates?”Victoria nodded quickly, seizing the opportunity. “Yes! Very close. Adrian and I go way back. He was

Julia paused, she understood the sarcasm in his voice, yes he was going to attend but definitely, that was not all. “Should I have the invitation delivered to your current residence?”“No,” Adrian said, sliding the platinum keycard into his coat pocket. “Have it sent to my new home. I'll send it to address.”“Understood.”He ended the call without another word, slipping the phone back into his coat.But he hadn’t taken two steps before the device buzzed again.This time it was a a different number.It was Sophia.He had been expecting her to call.He answered immediately, the voice on the other end sounded urgent.“Adrian… we need to talk. It’s important. And it’s not something I can say over the phone.”FIFITEEN MINUTES LATERAdrian was already in the cáfe where they agreed to meet.Liora cafe was the kind of place where the air itself felt expensive. Adrian sat alone in a corner booth with a single glass of sparkling mineral water satting untouched before him.His eyes drifted acro

Sophia didn’t stop. “But this young man did. And more than that… he saved my grandfather.” Adrian still hadn’t said a word. He simply stood like a mountain of ice, unshaken. Alaric clicked his tongue, still unconvinced. “You do realize I’m not dealing with a common cold, Miss Sinclair. I’ve had three seizures in the last week alone. Episodes that leave me unable to breathe. Sometimes it feels like I'm dying.” He tapped his chest. “And yet… not a single test shows anything. I’ve seen specialists from all over the continent. No one knows what’s wrong.” Trust me this man standing before you is capable of things you can't imagin, I've seen it with my own eyes,” Sophia said with full confidence in Adrian. Alaric looked from her… to Adrian. And for the first time, uncertainty breached the walls of his pride. What did he have to lose? He then made him give a small nod. “Fine. Let’s see what you’ve got. Examine me.” Adrian didn’t move. Adrian didn’t reach for a stethoscop

He paused but didn’t turn around. Sophia, trying one last time, stepped forward. “Dr. Wexford… don’t be a fool,” she said, her eyes fixed on him. “Stay in Silver City. Just for a few days. What if Adrian is right?” Alaric didn’t even slow his pace. He paused only to adjust his cuffs, his back still turned to them both. “I’ll take my chances,” he muttered. Adrian’s voice was like cold metal behind him. “We’ll see,” he said softly. Then added, “Just don’t regret it later.” Adrian knew the odds. He only hoped Wexford’s vault held what he needed. But Alaric wasn’t done. He eyes narrowed as he turned to Sophia, his lips curling into a sneer. “And as for you…” Sophia’s expression didn’t flinch. “Why not worry about your own marriage instead of caressing a fraud.” Her brows lifted. “Excuse me?” Alaric’s gaze darkened. “You don't need to pretend, you know what I'm taking The Wade Clan,” he said, voice deliberately loud, “their family isn't one you want to offend.”

That evening, Adrian arranged for all his properties to be moved to their new house. Within the hour, he arrived at the hotel suite where Clara and her nanny were temporary staying. Evelyn was already at the lobby entrance with Clara in her hands. Clara's eyes lit up the moment she saw him. “Brother!” she squealed, her little hands waving. Adrian came down from the car and carried her in his arms into the car. They were finally heading to their new home. Clara soon fell asleep sleep almost as soon as the car began to move. Soon, the SUV was driving through Silver City’s quiet hills, away from the noise, away from the crowds, climbing into an elite neighborhood. Then, the gates appeared. Black iron with delicate gold tracing, the house was surrounded by walls of stone and trimmed vines. Adrian handed over the platinum key to the house to the driver and he came down and scanned it in the lock but the side and immediately the gates parted with a hiss. Clara began