Chapter 152

Adrian Valentine rose slowly, his slender fingers brushing the cuffs of his tailored suit. A faint smirk played at the corners of his lips.

"If even you can't find her, Sebastian Cortez certainly won't." Margaret Valentine stormed out, slamming the door behind her as she headed straight for Horizon Tech.

Adrian stood motionless by the window, his deep eyes reflecting the dappled shadows of the trees outside.

Margaret collapsed onto the sofa with a thud, wincing as a sharp pain shot through her lower back.

"This agony has plagued me for a full year. Not even specialists abroad could cure it. That wretched Evelyn must have done something to me!"

Adrian turned, his gaze sharp as a blade.

"Your back never hurt when she was treating you."

Margaret's hand, braced against her waist, froze mid-motion.

"Adrian, it's been a year since your divorce. Are you still hung up on that orphan girl? Isabella Langley is the right match for you!"

"The right match?" Adrian's laugh was cold. "I'd love to know why you despise her as much as the Langley family does."

Margaret's eyes darted away, her voice trembling. "She... she's just some nobody, too ashamed to even have a public wedding. You were clearly just toying with her—"

Adrian's knuckles whitened, dark currents swirling in his eyes.

He stepped closer, watching impassively as Margaret's face contorted in pain.

"Sebastian's Sterling Manor..." Margaret suddenly narrowed her eyes. "Could that girl be hiding there?"

Adrian's expression darkened instantly.

Sterling Manor's impenetrable security was something even he couldn't breach.

No wonder Evelyn had vanished without a trace this past year.

"Unless she chooses to come out herself," Adrian said, his voice icy. Sebastian had protected her far too well.

Margaret clenched the armrest in frustration but didn't dare demand entry to Sterling Manor.

"Adrian," she suddenly cooed, her tone syrupy sweet. "I heard the young mistress of Sterling Manor has returned. Could you help your brother—"

Before she could finish, Julian Roscente's lazy drawl drifted from the doorway.

"Aunt Margaret, this young lady isn't an easy catch."

Leaning against the doorframe, his peach-blossom eyes brimming with mockery, he added, "My father tried arranging a marriage alliance. I was turned away over a dozen times."

Margaret's face paled. "You want to marry the Sterling Manor heiress too?"