Chapter 177

Adrian Valentine's voice was icy. "Issue a statement. Evelyn wasn't feeling well. I merely escorted her back to her room."

Victor Ashcroft frowned. "Sir, the entire internet is accusing Mrs. Roland of seducing you. The hashtag is trending. Who would believe such an explanation?"

Adrian whirled around. "Where were you last night?"

Victor squared his shoulders. "You ordered me to monitor the Langleys, remember?" He produced an encrypted drive. "Congratulations. Your fiancée Isabella was caught with her chauffeur. Consider this my gift to you."

Adrian recoiled in disgust. "Get that out of my sight! Keep it for later. Handle the situation now."

At the door, Victor turned back. "Sure you don't want to watch? Miss Langley was walking funny today."

"Get out!" Adrian roared.

Victor chuckled as he left.

Finally, some payback.

He'd endured enough this past year.

Poor Mrs. Roland, discarded just like that.

Adrian stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, his silhouette rigid and solitary.

......

Thirty minutes later.

The official Valentine Group account posted:

[Miss Roland required medical assistance. I simply ensured her safe return. Speculation is unwarranted.]

The terse statement ignited debate.

Some believed it. Others didn't.

Evelyn remained indifferent.

She studied her phone screen, long lashes veiling her emotions.

Nathan Aldridge sat across from her, teeth clenched. "Sis, that bastard Adrian! Weren't we supposed to teach them a lesson? Let me take care of him."

Evelyn lifted her gaze. "Murder is illegal."

"So we just let it go?" Nathan's knuckles cracked.

"The NovaCore project is resolved. Next is the raw materials issue for Botanica." Evelyn changed the subject.

Nathan rolled his eyes.

Boss still couldn't bring herself to act.

Her phone vibrated.

A message from Scarlett Orlando: [Sweetheart, come see me?]

Evelyn smiled faintly. [Sick or injured?]

Scarlett: [Brat! Four years apart and you can't visit first? Our friendship's hanging by a thread!]

Evelyn: [Fine. On my way.]

She pocketed her phone, anticipating a possible encounter with Isabella and Adrian.