Chapter 160

"Trouble? Every time I run into scum like you, nothing good happens!"

Nathan Aldridge glared at Adrian Valentine through gritted teeth. He'd always known this man was no good, but he never imagined he'd stoop this low, shamelessly inserting himself into Evelyn's presence again and again.

Evelyn Roland understood Adrian's nature all too well. If she didn't make things crystal clear tonight, she'd never shake him off.

"Mr. Aldridge, please go ahead and discuss the partnership with Mr. Harrison. I'll join you shortly."

She shoved the bouquet of roses and her laptop into Nathan's arms without ceremony.

Nathan: "..." Why bother with this bastard?

But Evelyn didn't even spare him a glance.

Adrian led Evelyn into a different private room. The previous one had belonged to Julian Roscente—this was his territory.

The door clicked shut, and Adrian flipped the lock.

"Sit." He gestured to the sofa.

The moment Evelyn sat down, his towering frame loomed over her. His familiar scent washed over her, making her lashes tremble as a sharp pang shot through her chest.

Damn it. She'd promised herself she wouldn't care.

Adrian suddenly reached for her collar.

"Have you lost your mind?" Evelyn shielded her chest, fury igniting in her eyes.

He forcibly pried her hand away, his gaze locking onto the scars marring her skin. A gunshot wound overlapped with a knife scar—barely inches apart, yet they burned his vision like searing brands.

Evelyn scoffed and shoved him back hard. "We're nothing to each other now. Touch me again, and I'll sue you for harassment."

Adrian ignored her threat, his fingertips tracing the raised scar with unsteady fingers. "Did it hurt?"

Her entire body stiffened. His touch sent shivers skittering across her skin.

"Just a scratch. Nothing fatal."

Even if it had hurt, it was none of his concern.

Some people and things were better left untouched from the start. Better to live with regret than endure the pain.

"Evelyn!" Adrian suddenly snarled before flashing a dangerous smirk. "Can't you ever show weakness in front of a man?"

Only now did he realize—after four years of marriage—he'd never truly known her. Like how she loved roses but had never mentioned it.

Evelyn let out a hollow laugh, as if she'd heard the most ridiculous joke. "Why should I pretend to be fragile? If a woman needs to play weak to earn a man's approval, that's a pathetic way to live."

"My path has always been lined with thorns. Even if flowers never bloom along the way, I'll keep moving forward—bloodied but unbowed. I won't look back."

Every word struck like hammer blows.

Adrian's pupils contracted. She said... she wouldn't look back.

"You love Alexander Durand. I know you won't turn back." He slowly released her collar. "Evelyn, leave this place. That's my final warning."

Her head snapped up, eyes glinting with frost. "I told you—I'm not going anywhere. Bring it on if you dare. I'll meet you head-on."

She rose to her feet, looking down at him with icy disdain. "This is your last warning—for you and Isabella Langley. Provoke me again, and I won't hesitate to expose her contract killing evidence. Did you really think you hid it well enough?"

Without another word, she turned to leave. She couldn't stand another second in that room.

Adrian suddenly seized her wrist.

"Ah—!" Evelyn gasped as she tumbled straight into his arms.