Chapter 266Smith straightened slowly after a final glance at the headstone. For a brief moment, his expression wasn’t that of a detective chasing answers. It was just a younger brother who hadn’t been able to do enough.They stepped away from the grave together.A few paces out, Smith finally broke the silence.“…I owe you an apology,” he said, his voice calmer than before. “For how I approached you.”Adrian didn’t respond immediately. He simply watched him.Smith continued, exhaling lightly. “I know it wasn’t the right way. But I couldn’t just sit back and watch my brother die in vain.”there was no calculation in his words. NJust truth.“So please, Chairman Cole,” he added, turning to face him fully now. “Are you ready to talk to me about who you think might actually be involved in your accident?”Adrian held his gaze for a moment before answering.“I don’t make accusations lightly,” he said. “But I do have names.”Smith’s eyes sharpened instantly.“…Then give them to me.”Before A

Chapter 268Dr. Alistair Renford was deeply focused on the work in front of him when Adrian and Director Isabella Reyes walked into the laboratory where the new medicine was being produced.The entire place was active with movement.Researchers moved between stations carrying reports and samples while machines operated continuously under bright white lights. Several transparent containers filled with processed medicine were lined carefully across secured tables.Dr. Virel noticed Adrian first. He immediately gave a respectful nod before returning his attention to the system he was monitoring.President Renford turned shortly after.“You’re welcome, Chairman Cole,” he greeted.“Thank you,” Adrian replied calmly. “Focus on your work. I’ll wait in your office. I don’t want to disrupt the process.”“Alright,” Renford said.As Adrian looked around the laboratory again, he noticed someone missing.Freya Ventress.Normally, she would have been somewhere in the middle of the operation, arguin

Adrian smiled faintly as he ended the call.Director Isabella noticed immediately and let out a soft chuckle.“You’re smiling, Chairman,” she said teasingly.Almost instantly, Adrian’s expression turned cold again.“That’s because she’s funny,” he replied calmly.“Or maybe you simply enjoy talking to her,” Director Isabella said with a playful smile. “Chairman… is there something you’d like to tell me?”“There’s nothing to tell,” Adrian answered.Director Isabella tilted her head slightly.“If I’m being honest, it seems like you have feelings for Manager Catherine. And if you do, I think you should go for it.”Adrian sighed lightly.“Can you listen to me for once? There’s nothing going on. We’re just friends.”“Alright, alright,” Director Isabella said with a small laugh, deciding not to push him any further.As they entered the office, the atmosphere immediately turned serious.Adrian and Director Isabella took their seats quietly, waiting patiently for President Alistair Renford to

The moment they returned home, Kai dropped onto one of the large chairs in the living room with dramatic exhaustion.“I’m back alive,” he announced loudly. “You people should appreciate me more.”The nearby maids laughed as they entered the room.“Welcome back, Mr. Kai,” one of them said warmly. “We missed you.”Kai immediately sat up straighter, looking far too pleased with himself.“You hear that?” he said proudly, glancing at Adrian. “People actually miss me. I guess nobody’s ever said that to you before.”Adrian didn’t even slow his steps as he headed toward the staircase.“You just said you missed me,” he replied calmly. “So I suppose that makes you a nobody.”Kai stared at him for a second before scoffing. “See? This is why people find you emotionally exhausting.”Adrian ignored him completely and continued upstairs.The second Adrian disappeared around the staircase, Isabella moved closer to Kai with obvious curiosity.“Now,” she said, lowering herself onto the arm of the chair

Adrian’s car came to a stop in front of a massive structure that rose like an old-world castle. Stone walls, tall spires, and carved architecture gave it an almost sacred presence. In front of it stood a temple, quieter but no less imposing.Kai leaned forward slightly. “So you really think this Elder Vaughn has answers?”Adrian kept his eyes on the building. “He’s the first person who mentioned the Elders’ Pavilion to me at the medical city banquet last year. That alone makes him important.”Kai frowned. “There are too many coincidences here. You got the ring at the Anderson banquet… then Vaughn mentions the Elders’ Pavilion… and now you’re chasing answers here. Don’t you think you’re connecting dots that might not exist?”Adrian’s hand moved into his pocket. He pulled out the ring briefly—sealed, untouched by time—and studied it under the light before slipping it back.“The Elders’ Pavilion is after this ring,” he said quietly. “That alone means he knows something. Nothing about thi