Chapter 46

Adrian Valentine glanced at the villa's silhouette and murmured, "We'll discuss this inside, sir."

His Adam's apple bobbed as he rasped, "Move."

The image of those slender legs marred by blood flashed through his mind. His fist clenched at his side.

Dark currents swirled in his peach-blossom eyes, barely contained fury threatening to break free.

Victor Ashcroft caught his boss's icy profile in the rearview mirror and suppressed a shiver.

Was that... concern?

He cursed himself for failing to see through Dominic Lombardi's scheme.

"Any leads on Evelyn Roland's connection to Sebastian Cortez?"

Victor narrowed his eyes. "Mrs. Roland lived in that town, but few ever saw her. Her only known interaction with Cortez was during the Mercury-Britannia Project negotiations—the deal that elevated the Roland Group."

Information about the lady remained frustratingly scarce.

She was an enigma.

Adrian stared at the ink-black night outside, his gaze darker still. "Dig up everything on Alexander Durand."

Victor hesitated. "Vincent Langley's also investigating Durand. His sudden interest in Mrs. Roland is... peculiar."

Even stranger—her records before eighteen had been scrubbed clean.

Adrian's expression turned glacial.

Vincent Langley sought Durand, prompting Evelyn's return to the Langley family. And Evelyn risked everything for Durand.

The realization sent white-hot rage through his veins.

"Drop everything. Durand takes priority." His voice was sandpaper rough, the suppressed anger dropping the car's temperature.

Victor's spine prickled. "Understood."

——

Dominic Lombardi stood bowed in the Langley living room, recounting the altercation at the gates.

When he described Evelyn's bleeding wound and Adrian's public humiliation, Isabella Langley's red lips curled in satisfaction.

"Father, Adrian despises her now. Once we have the map, we'll dispose of her properly."

Vincent Langley stroked his jade ring approvingly.

This was his true daughter.

"Maintain appearances," he cautioned meaningfully. "As for the rest..."

Eleanor Langley smoothed her daughter's hair, venom leaking from her eyes. "Adrian's foolish sister loathes Evelyn. A proxy killer leaves no traces."

Isabella twirled her crystal glass, smile sinister.

Christian Lefèvre had been silenced forever.

No one would stand in her way.

——

Evelyn slammed the door, her wound throbbing.

After Victoria Laurent finished bandaging her, she marched upstairs.

The balcony tea set steamed as she scrubbed it mechanically.

"Eat something." Victoria brought beef noodles whose aroma made her stomach clench.

She bent over the bowl, steam reddening her eyes.

Adrian's glacial stare flashed through her mind. The noodles turned to ash in her mouth.