Elena Carter turned around and found Damian Shaw already changed into loungewear, his sharp aura diminished quite a bit.
“Uncle Damian.” She looked a little nervous. “I just came to say goodbye. It’s getting late—I should head home.”
For a moment, the man said nothing. Then he finally gave a slow nod.
“Mm. The driver is already waiting outside.”
He turned to head back toward the study, but Elena quickly stopped him.
“Wait!” She looked at his halted steps, her fingers twisting together as she hesitated for a long time before speaking.
“About what happened today... may I trouble you to keep it a secret?”
Whether it was her nearly being assaulted or the organ donation agreement almost stolen, once Adrian Shaw heard any of it, his suspicion would certainly be aroused.
Damian tilted his head slightly toward her. Under the light, his striking features looked almost unreal, too handsome for this world—yet also made it impossible to read his emotions.
With her heart pounding, Elena finally heard his calm reply:
“I’ve never had the hobby of prying into other people’s privacy.”
That was his way of agreeing.
Elena let out a long breath of relief, quickly thanked him, and, not daring to disturb him further, gathered her things and left in the waiting car.
Damian stood in the hallway for a while, listening as the sound of the car faded away, before turning back inside.
It was indeed late. He rubbed his sore forehead and returned to the master bedroom to wash up.
The bathroom, freshly used, still held steam and a faint fragrance that teased at his senses. Damian frowned, his eyes sweeping the room—then suddenly froze.
In the corner lay something left behind by the previous user: white, trimmed with lace, still carrying a lingering scent. The image it conjured came all too easily.
Damian stared quietly at it, his expression darkening.
…
Meanwhile, Elena dozed in the back seat of the car. Halfway through her rest, a sudden realization jolted her awake, her eyes flying wide.
She—she had left her lingerie at Damian’s place.
If he saw it…
Her face flushed hot with shame, and she wished she could fly back instantly to destroy the evidence. But that was impossible now. All she could do was pray Damian wouldn’t react.
Still flustered, Elena returned home—only to find Adrian Shaw and Vivian Cole sitting together on the living room sofa.
The moment he saw her, Adrian rushed over.
“Where were you this afternoon?” His brows knit tight, a hidden worry flickering in his eyes that no one else noticed.
But Elena had already lost all faith in him and didn’t even want to answer.
Instead, Vivian stepped forward, her voice gentle.
“Adrian, don’t worry so much. Elena’s back safe and sound. Clearly nothing bad happened.”
Adrian instinctively scanned Elena up and down, finding nothing out of place. His anxiety dissipated into irritation.
“Vivian and I are just ordinary friends. There’s nothing sordid between us. Even if you’re jealous, there’s no need to put on such dramatic displays!”
He had actually rushed straight from Memorial Hospital out of concern for her—yet here she was, acting unreasonable.
Vivian chimed in sweetly, “That’s right, Elena. If you really don’t want us spending time together, you could’ve just said so. I can keep my distance from Adrian if that makes you more comfortable.”
Their duet of false concern only made Elena sneer inwardly.
She gave Vivian a mocking look.
“No need. If I were you, I’d enjoy these days of being flattered by both sides while I still can. Because later... you may not get the chance.”
Vivian’s face shifted at Elena’s veiled words. Clearly, Elena must have uncovered something about that year’s events.
Vivian bit her lip hard. Those two useless people had sworn they’d handle it when they took the money—yet vanished without a trace.
Adrian instinctively defended her.
“Elena Carter! Must you always go this far?”
Vivian seized the moment to look pitiful.
“Elena, do you really hate me that much? Is it because I spend too much time with Adrian?” She cast a reluctant glance at him. “If that’s the case, then I’ll cut ties with him.”
She pressed her hands to her face and ran out, feigning heartbreak.
“Vivian!” Adrian immediately chased after her.
Elena watched their little performance with cold disdain, then simply turned and went back to her room.
After a day like this, exhaustion overwhelmed her. She soon fell into a deep sleep—until the next morning, when the shrill ring of the phone roused her. She forced her eyes open.
“Hello?”
“Miss Carter,” came the urgent voice on the other end. “Your father was involved in a prison brawl yesterday. The incident is serious—it may lead to additional sentencing.”
“What?!”
In an instant, Elena’s foggy mind snapped awake.
