Chapter 466

Evelyn Roland stopped walking and turned to face Cassandra Valentine who had caught up with her.

"Something else?" Her voice was icy.

Cassandra clenched the hem of her dress. "Is Eleanor Langley really looking for me?"

Hope flickered in her eyes, desperate for confirmation of that maternal love.

Evelyn nodded. "She is. But she can't make it public. Isabella Langley threatened her to keep playing the role of mother."

After a pause, she added, "Your mother and Vincent Langley have a son abroad. For his sake, she had to compromise."

Eleanor Langley's origins remained a mystery. She wasn't from this country—even her surname had been changed later. Evelyn had checked the records but found no trace of her original nationality.

Even approaching middle age, Eleanor's beauty was breathtaking. Her grace outshone women half her age.

Understanding flashed in Cassandra's eyes. "Thank you."

Evelyn studied her, recalling how the Valentine family had deliberately neglected her upbringing. Isabella's cruelty was innate, while Cassandra had been systematically crippled.

"Be careful." Evelyn turned away. "You won't always be this lucky."

Cassandra stood rooted to the spot, a cold glint surfacing in her gaze.

Isabella Langley, you will pay for this.

Adrian Valentine's office.

Fresh bandages covered the wound on his arm as he sorted through documents. The memory of Evelyn's indifferent stare sent a dull ache through his chest.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Mr. Valentine, Cassandra is here to see you." Victor Ashcroft entered.

Adrian's brow furrowed. "Not interested."

"Brother!" Cassandra barged in anyway, dropping to her knees. "Please help me. Isabella is trying to kill me."

Victor suppressed a shudder, recalling the near-fatal incident he'd just heard about.

"Why should I?" Adrian's laugh was bitter. "You tried to kill me once too."

Cassandra gave a pained smile. "Melanie Evans manipulated me. I didn't know the truth back then—"

"You're just as vile as Melanie." Adrian cut her off.

Cassandra collapsed onto the floor.

Years ago, Melanie had plotted to eliminate Adrian and used her to tamper with the brakes. She'd thought it was just a prank—never suspecting the truth.

After the crash, Adrian traced it back to her and had treated her with contempt ever since. He'd known for years that Melanie wasn't his birth mother, enduring the charade only to uncover the truth behind his father's death.

This man was terrifying—even his feigned affection for Isabella had been utterly convincing.

"I'm sorry..." Her voice shook. "But after hearing this, you'll help me."

Adrian narrowed his eyes. "Talk."