Chapter 55

Adrian Valentine lowered his gaze in silence.

The elderly matriarch sighed deeply, her wrinkled face etched with concern.

After all, he was the grandson she had raised with her own hands. She couldn't bring herself to scold him harshly.

His innate arrogance and stubbornness had been there since birth—unyielding and fierce, never tempered by gentleness.

His path in love was destined to be fraught with pain, leaving him battered and bruised.

"Adrian, Evelyn is one of the few who genuinely cares for you. Though I don't know what happened between you, Isabella is not the right one for you."

"Grandmother, I know what I'm doing. Rest well, and I'll visit again soon."

He stood, his posture rigid and unyielding.

The matriarch hesitated, then swallowed her words. The divorce was final—there was no point in arguing.

"Today's incident was orchestrated by your brother and your mother, with Martha's help, to frame Evelyn. For the sake of the Valentine family's reputation, I had no choice but to wrong her. Remember this—trust no one completely, not even your own mother. If you're ever in danger, go to Evelyn. No matter how many times you've wronged her, she will never abandon you."

Adrian's steps faltered for a brief moment before he left without another word.

......

Evelyn Roland leaned against the sofa as Victoria Laurent gently pressed an ice pack to her swollen cheek.

Seeing Evelyn's tear-reddened almond eyes, Victoria clenched her teeth in fury.

Those Langley beasts would pay for this—sooner or later.

"Miss..." Victoria's voice trembled.

Evelyn lifted her gaze, a faint smile touching her lips, though her eyes held shattered light. "This is the last time. From now on, no one will ever hurt me again."

A heart that had died could no longer be pierced by blades or bullets.

Victoria tightened her fists. "Next time, let Sophia beat them black and blue!"

Evelyn patted her hand gently. "Go rest. I'll sleep for a while."

Once the door clicked shut, Evelyn stared blankly at the ceiling.

That slap had shattered every last delusion she held.

From now on, no matter how vast the world, her heart would never waver for him again.

With swift efficiency, she removed her phone's SIM card and replaced it with a new one. The past was smoke—everything tied to the Langleys was now severed.

......

Three days passed before the bruise on her cheek began to fade. Adrian's strike had been so forceful it had even damaged her eardrum, requiring slow recovery through herbal remedies.

Strangely, her appetite had improved—especially for beef. Victoria prepared it in every variation to help her regain strength.

On the fourth day, Evelyn went as usual to administer acupuncture to Christian Lefèvre. The man remained unconscious, but she didn't care. Keeping him alive was already more than he deserved.

Her priority now was finalizing the raw material supply deal with the Lowells.

After inspecting the factory that afternoon and confirming quality control, she had Nathan Aldridge arrange a meeting with Mr. Lowell.

She deliberately brought Sophia Blanchet along. Securing this deal would guarantee this year's profits.

Coincidentally, Adrian had also scheduled a meeting with Mr. Lowell.

As Isabella Langley clung to Adrian's arm and entered the private dining room, Evelyn came face-to-face with the middle-aged man who had once fled a banquet with a woman in his arms.