Chapter 198

Adrian Valentine's lips curled into a self-deprecating smile. His heart felt like it was being torn apart.

So it had all been lies.

Vincent Ashcroft stood before him, pale as a ghost. "Adrian, save my family. I can't go bankrupt."

Adrian's gaze slid past him, landing on Cassandra Valentine in the distance. Rage surged through him.

"Vincent, Evelyn and I are divorced. What does she have to do with you? Why did you send people to hurt her?"

His voice was ice. "Do you know what it means to destroy a woman? How could you be so cruel?"

Vincent frowned. "I... I did it for you—"

"Don't say it was for me!" Adrian cut him off sharply. "I never asked for this. My affairs are none of your concern."

He took a step closer. "And are you even sure Evelyn was behind it?"

Vincent lowered his head. "No. Isabella said Evelyn drugged you to win you back, but Julian Roscente was the one who got poisoned. Then she latched onto Sebastian Cortez... I just wanted to teach her a lesson."

"A lesson?" Adrian laughed coldly. "You call that a lesson? She was once my woman!"

His voice turned deadly quiet. "We're done here. If you truly believe you did nothing wrong, go ask Julian. He'll give you your answers."

Right now, he had no time for anyone.

Adrian turned and walked away without looking back. So it was Isabella's doing. What a fool, being used without even realizing it.

Vincent stared at his retreating figure, his expression darkening. "Adrian, you're turning your back on me too?"

He shouted into the empty hallway, "Evelyn, you bitch! Because of you, brothers are turning against each other! Because of you, my family is ruined! Don't let me see you again!"

His chest ached even more after the outburst.

Then he thought of Cassandra.

She approached him gracefully. "Vincent, go home and handle your affairs first. We'll meet again once everything is settled."

Vincent gazed at her adoringly. He had loved her for so long. "Cassandra, you'll stand by me through this, won't you?"

Her eyes flickered. Why would she waste time on a fallen rich kid? She was meant for men like Julian Roscente, with real power and wealth. The Ashcrofts were just a failing wedding planning company.

Still, she smiled sweetly. "Vincent, I'll be here for you. Come to me if you need anything."

Vincent was enchanted by her gentle words. "Cassandra, you're all I have left."

She hid a smirk. Vincent was too impulsive—this downfall was his own fault. Men like him were only good as backups.

She seized the moment to stir the pot. "It's all Evelyn's fault. If not for her, the Ashcrofts wouldn't be in this mess."

Vincent's eyes darkened. It was because of Evelyn... and his own selfishness. "Let me take you home."

"No need." Cassandra declined softly. "Your family's situation is urgent. You should go."

Then she added slyly, "If all else fails, ask my brother to beg Evelyn to persuade Sebastian. As long as Sebastian doesn't pull his investment, the Ashcrofts can be saved."

She knew Adrian would never help Vincent. This way, Adrian would lose another true friend. And her own brother would benefit.

Everything Adrian had would eventually belong to her and her brother. He was just a tool for making money.

Vincent had always blamed his father's poor negotiation skills for their failed deal with Sebastian. That was why he resented him.

He never knew they had actually worked together.

Why hadn't his father told him?