Chapter 355

The bullet whizzed through the air.

Evelyn Roland was suddenly yanked into a scorching embrace as someone tackled her to the ground.

A silver mask glinted coldly under the lights, the engraved "SZ" insignia making the gunman's pupils constrict in shock.

"Adrian Valentine of Shadow Zenith!" The man's voice trembled.

"Get lost!" Adrian's roar echoed through the hallway.

As the man fled in panic, Evelyn caught a clear glimpse of the four-leaf clover tattoo on the back of his neck.

Her heart lurched.

The "merchant" who had turned himself in today—his demeanor had been all wrong.

"Are you hurt?"

The raspy voice snapped Evelyn back to reality.

She swiftly pulled away from Adrian's arms, the "ZS" mark on his silver mask flickering in her vision.

"Thank you for saving me, Mr. Valentine." She took two steps back, her tone icy.

Adrian's jaw tightened as he stared at her red-rimmed eyes.

Evelyn turned and walked into the room.

Surveillance equipment blinked with red lights. The listening devices were still active.

Cigarette butts and liquor bottles littered the floor, reeking of decay—someone had been lurking here for days.

The computer screen lit up. All surveillance records had been wiped clean.

Only the hallway footage remained, flickering intermittently.

That four-leaf clover tattoo burned in her mind.

The real "merchant" was still at large.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, her nails digging into her palms.

Vincent Langley's lackeys were proving more tenacious than she'd anticipated.

Adrian stood in the shadows, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Why are you hunting them?" His voice was strained.

"Personal vendetta." Evelyn didn't turn around. "You should leave now, Mr. Valentine. I'm calling the police."

Her tone was glacial.

Adrian gave her one last lingering look before turning away.

Evelyn dialed Julian Roscente's number.

Twenty minutes later, Captain Julian arrived in full uniform with his team.

"Ms. Roland." He snapped a crisp salute, his shoulder badges gleaming under the lights.

"It's all yours." Evelyn gave a slight nod.

Julian offered a professional smile. "Safe travels."

His tone was so deferential it bordered on comical.

Evelyn shot him a cool glance and strode toward the elevator.

As the doors began to close, the silver mask reappeared.

"Something else, Mr. Valentine?" She arched a brow.

"Just passing by." Adrian leaned against the elevator wall, the corner of his lips curling beneath the mask.

"You saved me today. What do you want in return?" She cut straight to the point.

Adrian suddenly leaned in, his breath hot against her ear.

"Your name."

The gaze behind that mask burned like fire.