Chapter 104

Adrian Valentine returned to the villa he once shared with Evelyn Roland.

The interior remained exactly as she had left it.

Exhausted, he collapsed onto the sofa without even removing his shoes.

Closing his eyes brought no rest.

Her scent had long faded from the air.

Adrian stared blankly out the window.

That familiar number would never connect again.

......

Evelyn received a message from Nathan Aldridge before bed.

Vincent Langley's excuses had convinced no one.

She had expected this outcome but wanted to know his next move.

Unfortunately, alerting him meant he would lie low.

Irritation prickled her. Who had leaked the information?

Quietly, she posted a message on the dark web.

[Only Vincent Langley knows the secret of the map.]

Those few words sent shockwaves through elite circles.

Jewelry tycoons flocked to Isabella Langley under various pretenses.

Vincent spent a harrowing month fending them off.

Nathan reported daily updates—precisely the chaos Evelyn intended.

She wanted Vincent perpetually under scrutiny.

Winter's second day marked Evelyn's birthday.

Pregnant and low-key, she skipped formal celebrations.

Her grandfather Frederick Roland sent a violet diamond set.

[Happy birthday, my precious granddaughter!]

His message drew a rare smile.

Sebastian Cortez gifted her a diamond necklace.

[Happy birthday, Evelyn. Wishing you endless joy.]

[Thanks, brother.]

Jewelry usually left her indifferent, but wearing it stunned her.

The mirror reflected effortless elegance.

Victoria Laurent prepared longevity noodles. Nathan, Zachary Deross, and Gabrielle Flores joined her.

A simple cake sufficed.

In four years of marriage, Adrian had never remembered.

Only her grandfather and brother remained constant.

Her birthday was quiet yet warm.

Meanwhile, Isabella's lavish party dominated headlines.

Adrian booked Vienna's Imperial Palace Hotel, live-streaming the spectacle.

Watching the broadcast, Victoria muttered, "He's sparing no expense for Isabella's birthday."