Adrian Cole climbed the stairs slowly, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. When he reached the small room at the end…which was barely larger than a closet, with a narrow bed and a single window…he sat down on the edge of the thin mattress.He pulled out his phone again. His fingers moved quickly across the screen, pulling up his contact list.“Marcus , it’s me,” he said when the call connected. “The officials who helped process the IPO…make sure they’re taken care of. Give them generous bonuses, gifts, whatever’s appropriate. Don’t let anyone think we’re ungrateful.”“Of course, sir. I’ll handle it personally.”“And one more thing.” Adrian Cole paused, staring at the wall. “I want you to start the transfer paperwork for SunCore Publishing. Put everything under Victoria’s name. All of it.”Marcus hesitated. “SunCore? Sir, I know that company means something to you. Are you sure about this?”“I’m certain. She’s achieved something incredible today. This is my way of celebrating w

The phone rang as Adrian Cole stepped out of the mansion gates for what he knew might be the last time.“Sir.” Marcus ’s voice was controlled, and professional as always. “The SunCore Publishing transfer is nearly complete. Once Mrs.Cole rings the bell tomorrow, everything will be finalized. I can have the documents couriered to you by tomorrow evening…it will be a perfect celebration gift.”Adrian Cole stopped walking. The morning sun felt too bright,and too indifferent to the wreckage of his life.“That won’t be necessary,” he said quietly.“Sir?”“Victoria asked for a divorce this morning. In three days, I’ll move everything I own.” He paused, staring at the perfectly manicured hedges lining the driveway. “Handle the share transfer yourself. Do whatever you think is appropriate. Right now, I just need… some time alone.”There was a beat of silence.“Understood, sir.” Marcus ’s voice carried barely concealed relief. “If I may say so… I’m glad you’re finally free of that burden.”Ad

Adrian Cole frowned, studying her more intently now.Something didn’t add up. Even though she was clearly exhausted, she still carried herself with an elegance that came from wealth. Her posture was too refined, her mannerisms too polished. This wasn’t someone who’d been living rough for long.“Forgive me,” he said quietly, “but you don’t seem like someone without a home.”She looked up at him, something bitter flickering across her face. A soft, humorless laugh escaped her lips.“You are perceptive.” She drew a shaky breath. “I wasn’t always like this. My name is Sophia Laurent and three months ago, I was the CEO of Stellar Dynamics. We were preparing for our IPO. Everything was ready…the investors were committed, and the underwriters were in place, the roadshow went perfectly.”Her voice went hollow. “And then overnight, our application was rejected. There was no explanation as to why that happened.”Adrian Cole went very still.“The investors panicked and pulled out,” she continue

“Mrs .Sterling.” His tone was polite but distant. “I actually have somewhere else I need to be.” He placed a gentle hand at Sophia’s back, gesturing for her to step into the elevator.“Stop right there.” Mrs. Stone’s voice cracked like a whip. “Did I say you could go?”Adrian paused, his jaw tightening. “Mrs. Stone, Victoria and I finalized our divorce this morning. Wherever I go from now on has nothing to do with you or your family.”Mrs. Stone’s face twisted with indignation. “So just because you’re divorced, you can do whatever you want? You think a divorce lets you disregard your elders? It’s only natural for someone of my age to care about the younger generation’s whereabouts.” Her gaze slid to Sophia with obvious contempt. “Or is there some secret you’re hiding?”She let the silence hang, then sneered. “So this is your mistress? You really aren’t picky about anything, are you?”Adrian’s expression turned to ice. “Show some respect.”Mrs. Stone burst into laughter, bending backwa

Sophia felt anxiety clawing up her throat. She had no idea why Adrian had brought her here, and she certainly didn’t have a pass. Around them, familiar faces stared at them together with former business partners who’d abandoned her after the bankruptcy, people who now looked at her with pity or contempt.She wanted to disappear.Tugging lightly at Adrian’s sleeve, she whispered urgently, “Adrian, please. Let’s just go.”But Adrian stood perfectly still, his expression calm and unreadable. He didn’t move.The security guard approached, his hand resting on his baton. “Sir, ma’am, I need to see your passes.”“I don’t have one,” Adrian said simply.The crowd erupted in laughter.The guard’s eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”“I don’t need a piece of paper to prove my identity,” Adrian continued, his tone flat and matter-of-fact.A bit of silence followed his words. The guest exchanged puzzled glances, shocked by the audacity of his words. Did he just say that? What does he mean?The security