Chapter 53

Martha Dimucci's face turned deathly pale. Her fingers twisted the edges of her apron unconsciously. She had personally watched Beatrice Valentine drink that glass of milk laced with sleeping pills. How could she wake up so soon?

Margaret Valentine's pupils constricted. Her nails dug deep into her palms. The sedative should have lasted at least twelve hours. How did this old hag wake up early?

"Grandmother!" The gloom in Adrian Valentine's eyes vanished as he strode forward.

Beatrice's cane struck the marble floor with a resounding crack. "If I hadn't woken up, you ungrateful wolves would have devoured Evelyn alive!"

Adrian froze mid-step. His gaze snapped toward Evelyn Roland, who stood quietly in the corner. Her long lashes cast delicate shadows under her eyes.

The air in the hall turned to ice.

Isabella Langley tugged at Adrian's sleeve with a pout. "Adrian, your grandmother just scolded me..."

Adrian's lips pressed into a thin line. He remained silent.

Beatrice descended the stairs slowly, her piercing gaze sweeping over Isabella. "Oh, playing the victim already? That pitiful act of yours suits Adrian perfectly."

A flash of venom crossed Isabella's eyes. Once she married Adrian, this old woman would be the first to permanently disappear.

"Grandmother!" Isabella's eyes welled with tears. "Adrian and I are getting engaged soon—"

"Silence!" Beatrice cut her off sharply. "Do whatever you want with this scoundrel. Just keep it away from my sight!"

Her cane struck the floor again as she turned to Adrian. "I should thank you for divorcing Evelyn. Her association with a blind, heartless bastard like you is the Valentine family's greatest shame!"

The Valentine family members paled.

Beatrice continued, "Your spiteful mother and those siblings of yours treated Evelyn like a servant. And you—" Her voice dripped with disdain. "You couldn't even bother to investigate before accusing her of theft. How admirable!"

Adrian's throat moved as his gaze involuntarily returned to Evelyn. She stood motionless, only the slight tremble of her fingertips betraying her emotions.

Sophia Blanchet trembled with rage. "Boss, is that your ex-husband?" she whispered.

Evelyn gave a faint nod.

Sophia inhaled sharply. No wonder Evelyn had been so withdrawn during her pregnancy. This man had shattered her heart.

"Grandmother, let's address the current situation first," Adrian said hoarsely. A dreadful realization began creeping into his mind—what if everything had been a misunderstanding?

Beatrice scoffed. "Martha poisoned me and stole the stock transfer documents to frame Evelyn. And you—" She looked at her favorite grandson with disappointment. "Couldn't even be bothered to verify the facts before condemning her."

Margaret's face twisted. "Mother, how can you say—"

"Enough!" Beatrice thundered. "Don't think I don't know you orchestrated this. Starting today, I'm moving out of the estate. I'll transfer all my shares to Adrian—at least he knows how to run the company."

She closed her eyes wearily. "As for the rest of you... you're on your own."