Chapter 352

Julian Roscente lay on the hospital bed, his eyes covered with gauze.

Evelyn Roland stood by the window, sunlight casting a golden halo around her silhouette.

"Evelyn?" Julian called out hesitantly.

She turned, her gaze settling on the medicine bottles on the nightstand.

"The medication is tainted." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Mrs. Roscente nearly dropped her glass of water.

Julian bolted upright, his brow furrowing beneath the bandages.

"Six men," Evelyn stepped closer to the bed. "They weren't here to kill you."

Julian suddenly laughed.

"Trying to capture me?" His fingers tapped rhythmically against the bed frame. "My father's men are everywhere outside."

Evelyn retrieved a small black device from her bag.

"Surveillance bug." She pressed the switch, and a red light blinked to life.

The room plunged into eerie silence.

Mrs. Roscente covered her mouth, her face turning ashen.

Julian groped for his mother's hand.

"Cassandra Valentine," he ground out through clenched teeth. "She came with Isabella Langley."

Evelyn moved to the door as the detector emitted a shrill alarm.

Beneath the doorknob, a miniature listening device glinted faintly.

"Don't speak," Evelyn mouthed silently.

Julian nodded, his eyes narrowing beneath the gauze.

A sharp knock shattered the tension.

Evelyn pulled the door open to meet a pair of piercing dark eyes.

Adrian Valentine stood framed in the doorway, his tailored suit immaculate.

His gaze locked onto the bruise near Evelyn's eye, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Move." Her voice was glacial.

Zachary Deross peered over Adrian's shoulder, clutching a laptop bag.

Adrian didn't budge.

"What happened to your eye?" He reached toward Evelyn's face.

Sebastian Orlando materialized behind Evelyn.

"Mr. Valentine," he said with deliberate amusement, "long time no see."

Adrian's expression turned arctic.

He strode into the room, his frown deepening at the sight of Julian's condition.

"You're recovering well."

Julian smirked.

"Thanks to you." He turned toward the sound of Adrian's voice. "Shouldn't you be with your fiancée?"

Adrian's fingers went cold.

"What do you mean?"

Julian groped for the water glass on his nightstand.

"Isabella's little gift to me," he hurled the glass against the floor with sudden violence, "I won't forget."

Shards of glass scattered like diamonds.

Adrian remained motionless, his face darkening with stormy fury.