Chapter 172

Time could heal all wounds—except for Adrian Valentine. He remained the unhealed scar etched deep in her heart.

The sound of running water in the bathroom ceased.

Evelyn stepped out, drying her damp hair.

At half past nine, the clock chimed, signaling bedtime for the children.

After seeing Gabrielle off, she had tucked them in alone.

The little ones drifted into sleep effortlessly, but rest eluded her.

Tonight's unexpected encounter with Adrian was a thorn lodged in her chest.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a pale glow across the ceiling. She stared blankly at it.

The memory of his domineering kiss resurfaced, twisting her stomach with disgust and hatred.

His betrayal had been a blunt knife, carving into her heart inch by excruciating inch.

"Haah..." She forced herself to stop dwelling on it.

Her phone buzzed abruptly.

A message from Nathan: [Sis, check the news.]

Frowning, she tapped open the trending headlines.

[Evelyn Roland, Aldridge Group Assistant, Caught Seducing Adrian Valentine, CEO of Valentine Corp]

Accompanying the article was a crystal-clear photo of Adrian dragging her into the private room.

The comments section had exploded.

[So Isabella was framed. This woman has no shame.]

[Homewrecker! How dare she compete with my goddess?]

[Trash like her should get out of Vienna!]

Her fingers turned icy. Without hesitation, she dialed Adrian's number.

Adrian lay in their former marital home.

Since Evelyn left, sleep had abandoned him.

He had just closed his eyes on the couch when the jarring ringtone shattered the silence.

An unknown number flashed on the screen. Compelled by some unseen force, he answered.

"Adrian Valentine." Evelyn's voice was laced with frost. "Was tonight's spectacle just to whitewash Isabella's reputation?"

He bolted upright.

Her call was unexpected—but her accusation even more so.

"Believe what you want," he replied, his tone dangerously languid.

Her chest tightened.

What sin had she committed in a past life to deserve this?

"Do you really need to drive me into a corner?" Her nails dug into her palms.

Adrian chuckled darkly. "My demand is simple—disappear forever." His knuckles whitened. "Evelyn, if you dare lay a finger on Isabella, I won't hesitate to eliminate you myself."

That cryptic "I'm very good at killing" left her bewildered.

But the divorce was final. She should have let go long ago.

Drawing a shaky breath, she asked the question she already knew the answer to—knowing it would only wound her further.

"Adrian," her voice trembled, "even if it was all just a game to you... must you be so merciless?"