Chapter 3

Adrian Valentine ended the call and tapped his slender fingers three times on the desk.

"Find out where Evelyn went."

His assistant responded promptly, "Mr. Valentine, Ms. Roland returned to the villa half an hour ago and took a suitcase."

Adrian's gaze turned icy.

He had expected her to leave, but not this eagerly.

With a gunshot wound, where could she possibly go?

"Who picked her up?"

"A limited-edition Rolls-Royce. The driver was a young gentleman with an extraordinary presence."

Adrian's knuckles whitened, and his phone screen shattered under the pressure.

He tossed the broken device into the trash without expression.

The divorce papers had barely been signed, and already she had a luxury car waiting.

So she had planned her exit all along.

Evelyn, you’re ruthless.

......

The penthouse suite of Regal Heights.

Evelyn was settled onto a recliner by the floor-to-ceiling windows by her eldest brother.

"There’s an emergency at the company. Rest first," he said before hurrying off.

She didn’t mention the gunshot wound.

Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a soft glow on her pale face.

Everything here felt achingly familiar.

She hadn’t been home in three years.

Pain radiated from her shoulder to her heart.

Curled beneath the velvet covers, her lashes trembled with unshed tears.

Four years of marriage, gone in an instant.

All those whispered promises had meant nothing in the end.

The real reason for the divorce was her pregnancy.

Adrian’s influence was vast—he could never find out.

She had bitten through her lip during the bullet extraction.

For the sake of the child, she endured the agony.

Thinking of her grandfather’s arrangement, she wiped her tears.

It was time to reclaim her identity as the Roland heiress.

......

Morning light pierced the autumn clouds.

Evelyn stood at the entrance of Regal Heights and removed her sunglasses.

A month of secluded recovery had restored her.

The crimson blazer accentuated her slender waist.

As she opened the car door, she saw Adrian stepping out of the building with Isabella Langley in his arms.

Isabella’s eyes flickered with surprise before settling into a triumphant smile.

"Long time no see, Director Roland."

Evelyn ignored her.

Adrian’s gaze swept over the Phantom parked behind her, his smirk freezing.

"Surviving a gunshot—you’re tougher than I thought."

Each word stabbed like a knife.

"Disappointed, Mr. Valentine?" She strode past him. "I’m here for my personal belongings."

Adrian suddenly seized her wrist. "Walking away empty-handed because you found a better option?"

Evelyn yanked free. "Not as refined as your taste for extramarital affairs."

The sound of shattering glass followed her as she turned away.

"Evelyn!"