bChapter /bb151 /b

bADRIAN’S /bPOV

Bzzzzzzzb… /b

The persistent buzz of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned away from the car windowi, /iblinking as the buildings passed me byb. /bThe screen lit up with an iing call – Sam Grayson.

I straightened in my seat, tugged at the sleeve of my jacket, and took a calming breath before answering.

“Mr. Grayson,” I greeted, keeping my toneposed.

“Adrian! How have you been? I trust you saw ourst messag

we’re

His voice was cheery, too cheery for the kind of man he was, I knew

better than to take that tone at face value.

“I certainly did, sir,” I replied smoothly.

“Well, good, because we’re not on our way anymore. We’re already at your

Just about to head in, actually.”

I froze for a moment. “You are?” I asked, caught off guard. “I thought you mentioned arriving in the evening?b” /b

“Yes, yes, I know. ns changed. We figured we’d stop by early and wait for you at the house. I’m sure you don’t mind.”

I forced a smile he couldn’t see. “Of course not, Mr. Grayson. I’ll be there shortly.”

Without waiting for his reply, I ended the call and let out a long, tight sigh. My driver nced at me through the rearview mirror, concern flickering in his eyes, but I ignored it.

Things were already spiraling faster than I expected.

I pulled out my phone again and scrolled quickly through my contact list until I found Dan’s number. I pressed the call button. It rang. Once. Twice. Still ringing. Come on…

Just as the call was about to disconnect, he finally picked up.

“I’m sorry I missed your call, sir,” Dan said, a little out of breath. “I was justing out of the bathroom.”

“I need you and your guys at my house in thirty minutes,” I said sharply. “Once you get there, I’ll brief you on exactly what you’re going to do. Don’t keep me waiting.”

“Yes, sir,” he replied immediately. I hung up.

I ran a hand over my face, the edge of my thumb dragging over the stubble on my chin. This day was unraveling faster than I liked. I needed control – and right now, it was slipping.

The n had been simple: wait for the Graysons to arrive in the evening, go through the motions, and execute what needed to be done. Everything was mapped out. But this early visit? It threw a wrench into all of it. And to make matters worse, there was still Dora.

She wasn’t supposed to be in the house today. She couldn’t be anywhere near what was about to happen.

I quickly navigated back to my call log and dialed Dora’s number. It rang. No answer. I tried again. Still nothing.

“Come on, Dora, pick up,” I muttered under my breath, tapping my foot anxiously against the floor of the car. She always had her iphone/i. She lived bon /b

that device.

Was she ignoring my call? bOr /bwas something wrong?

bChapter /bb151 /b

bA /bbthousand /bbscenarios /bbflooded /bbmy /bmind, each one worse than thest. bIf /bbthe /bGraysons bfound /bbher /bbthere/b… if she bidentally /boverheard somethin btried /bbto /bbinterfere/b… this whole operation could fall apart bbefore /bit even began.

I bgripped /bbmy /bbphone /btightly, debating whether to send one of Dan’s men ahead early bto /bget her out. But that bmight /bspook bher /bshe wasn’t bstopki /band tst thing I needed was for her to get suspicious or panicked.

bI /bnced back up at the mirror. “Step on it,” I said to the driver. “I need to get home. Fast.”

b“/bYesb, /bsir.”

As bthe /bcar picked up speed, I leaned back and stared at the ceiling of the vehicle

Getting Dora out of the house wouldn’t be a problem–at least, not under normal circumstances. She loved shoppingb, /band with my bcard /bbin /bher bhand/bb, /bshe’d happily lose track of time at a mall for hours. That would buy me enough time. The real issue was that the Graysons were already bat /bbmy /bbgate/bb. /bI nced at the dashboard clock and cursed under my breath.

There was no way I’d get back fast enough to intercept them before they entered the house. That meant there was ba /bhigh chance they bhad /balready met Dora–or, started a conversation with her. And that would be bad. Very bad.

Did they know about Olivia’s death?. And if they didn’t know… what the hell was I supposed to say when they asked about her? It bwasn’t /blike I could bjust /bblurt out, “Oh, by the way, your daughter’s dead because she went to visit another man and ended up in a house that exploded.” That bwasn’t /bbjust /bbbrutal /b-it was dangerous.

And they had given Olivia to me–trusted me with her. Her father had literally handed her over, saying “Take care of my daughter.” And this is how it

ended? No. I needed to be smart.

My thoughts were still racing when the gates of my estate finally opened. We rolled into thepound slowly, and I spotted Dan and his men already lined up near the side of the house. At least something was going ording to n.

The driver parked the car in front of the stairs that led to the grand entrance. He stepped out quickly and opened the door for me. I adjusted bmy /btieb, /btook a steadying breath, and stepped out.

“Good morning, sir,” Dan greeted with a small bow of respect.

I didn’t respond. My mind was elsewhere. I gave him a quick nod before heading up the stairs, every step echoing loudly in my head like a countdown to chaos. Dan and his guys followed behind me, like silent shadows, ready for orders.

As I pushed open the front door. There they were–Mr. And Mrs. Grayson–seatedfortably in my living room, sipping from the crystal water sses my staff must’ve handed them earlier.

“Adrian, it’s so good to see you again,” Mrs. Grayson said, rising from her seat with arms open for a warm hug.

I gave her a polite smile and extended my hand instead, taking hers for a brief handshake. I wasn’t in the mood for embraces. Not today.

“How is your health, Mr. Grayson?” I asked, turning my attention to her husband, who remained seated.

“I’ve gotten better, son. All thanks to you,” he replied with ba /bsmile, his tone grateful.

“Alright,” I said, clearing my throat. “I know you’re here for a reasonb, /band we’ll definitely talk. But before that, there’s bsomething /bI bneed /bbto /bbtake /bbcare /bbof/bb.” /b

bI /bturned my head and gave Dan a subtle nod.

He immediately stepped forward, his presence calm butmanding. “What can I get you both to drink?”

“Just tea would be fine, thank you,” Mrs. Grayson replied with a smile, clearly impressed by the hospitality.

With the distraction in ce, I excused myself and climbed the stairs swiftly, heading straight to Dora’s room.