Chapter 485

Warren Garten and Isabella Langley stood side by side at the entrance of the civil affairs office.

Isabella had dressed meticulously for the occasion, her white dress enhancing her delicate beauty. She needed to marry Warren quickly to salvage her crumbling reputation.

Suddenly, the sound of Evelyn Roland and Adrian Valentine's conversation reached her ears.

Isabella's smile froze. She remembered the day she had followed Adrian here—how it had all been an elaborate ruse he'd orchestrated.

Her heart felt as if it had been pierced by a blade. She had believed herself the victor, only to realize she'd been the fool all along.

"Adrian Valentine!" Isabella shrieked, her composure shattered. "You only got close to me to investigate your father's death! Even our divorce was just part of your act!"

Under the sunlight, Adrian narrowed his mesmerizing peach-blossom eyes. He adjusted his cufflinks lazily, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "You flatter yourself."

Three simple words plunged Isabella into an icy abyss.

She stared at him, spellbound. He stood there like an ink-wash painting—aloof, aristocratic, and lethally captivating.

From the first moment she had secretly watched him after returning to the country, she had been utterly consumed. He filled her dreams, her thoughts, even her every breath.

She had believed she possessed him, but she had never truly had him at all.

"Hahaha..." Isabella suddenly burst into laughter, the sound hollow and bitter.

Warren wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Isabella, let's go get our marriage license. I'm the only one who will never deceive you." He shot Adrian a challenging look.

Adrian didn't even spare him a glance. As he turned to leave, he tossed over his shoulder, "May you have a long and happy marriage. Though..." He paused. "Let's see if you make it to the new year."

Isabella's nails dug into her palms as she glared at Adrian's retreating figure. "Warren, I want Evelyn dead."

A ruthless glint flashed in Warren's eyes. "Don't worry. I already have men tailing her. And Cassandra Valentine—she'll be dealt with by tonight."

Only then did Isabella smile. She linked arms with Warren and strode toward the civil affairs office. Nearby, lurking reporters immediately raised their cameras.

One hour later.

Evelyn sat in her office, absently toying with a crystal rabbit charm—the first gift Adrian had ever given her.

"Evelyn," his voice echoed in her memory, soft and tender. "When I'm not here, let this little rabbit keep you company."