Free Web NovelChapter 186: Chapter 186: Determined to force herself into danger.
"Who is Adrian’s real father?" The man asked calmly, his expression as casual as if he was asking how her day had gone.
Mrs Vale’s fingers tightened against the side of her dress but she didn’t say a word.
The man clicked his tongue in displeasure. "If you won’t answer that, then what should we assume? That he was the result of some affair you couldn’t hide? Or perhaps even you don’t know which man he came from." He sent her a playful wink. "Business trips, late nights, one mistake too many. Things happen, don’t they?"
The second man laughed. "Maybe that’s why nobody talks about it properly. Hard to explain when the details are embarrassing."
Mrs Vale’s eyes narrowed at their words, her lips pressing into a thin line.
From where Elara was hiding, her hands clenched tightly at her sides as she watched the scene unfold a short distance away.
The situation didn’t seem as dangerous as she had first imagined. It looked more like business rivals trying to dig up information they could use against the Vale family.
But somehow, that made it no less ugly. The insults felt just as cruel as a slap. More than once, Elara felt the urge to step out and say something. Yet every time she shifted forward, the thought of making things worse forced her to stay hidden.
"Please Mrs Vale, we really have a lot of things to do tonight," the first man continued. "And you said it yourself. You don’t have time for unnecessary delays. So answer the question. What exactly is the position of your son, the CEO of the Vale Group, within the Vale family?"
He folded his arms and laughed. "Because from what we’ve heard, that bastard is nothing more than an asset. Yet he walks around as if the world should be grateful he’s breathing. He barely speaks to anyone, looks down on everyone, and treats people as if they’re beneath him."
"Watch your words." Mrs Vale snapped, pointing at them threateningly. "My son isn’t any bastard."
The man ignored her completely.
"Not only is he fake," he continued, "he’s also a murderer. He killed the real Vale heir. Then the entire family hid the poor girl’s existence from the public. That boy ruined your family, and now he’s about to ruin the company too."
Mrs Vale’s eyes turned several shades colder.
"Call me whatever you want. Call my husband whatever you want. But do not speak about my son like that." Her voice trembled a little with anger. "You don’t know my son. And neither did you know anything about my daughter."
The man smiled. "Then tell us what we don’t know."
The one holding the camera gave a mocking scoff. "You knew he was responsible for her death, yet you still protect him. Interesting. We need this done quickly Mrs Vale, so cooperate. Look into the camera and tell the public the truth. Tell them Adrian Vale is unfit to lead the company. Tell them he should step down immediately. Tell them the board should remove him before he destroys what’s left of the Vale Group."
Mrs Vale took another step back, looking from one man to the other. Then her expression changed completely.
"Go meet your ancestors and ask them to teach you some manners," she said coldly. "Then when you’re done, come back and learn how to be men instead of scavengers living off other people’s pain."
The smiles on both men’s faces vanished instantly. The one with the camera dropped the object to the ground and moved forward quickly, his eyes gleaming with anger.
Seeing that the man was about to do something deeply disrespectful, Elara also straightened up at once.
–
The car swerved swiftly through the empty road. Adrian sat still, his lips pursed tightly. His gaze kept drifting toward the screen of his phone where a small red marker blinked every now and then.
Not long after, he slowed down when he neared a wide expanse of vegetation ahead. He glanced at the blinking marker again before taking a turn. Almost immediately, his eyes caught sight of a black car parked at the side of the road.
His lips tightened in recognition.
He turned off his own car and stepped out without delay. When he reached the vehicle, he pulled gently at the door and found it locked. His jaw clenched.
She had actually gone after them.
But just as he turned away, the sound of the window lowering made him pause.
A small head suddenly popped up. "Scary Suit Uncle!"
Adrian froze, his cold gaze returning to the car.
It was Zia. She was leaning against the door from inside and a wide smile was on her face.
"Elara said I’m not allowed to open the door," she muttered.
"Where is she?" The question left Adrian’s lips before he could realize it.
"She went after the bad ugly people." Zia said pointing toward the dark forest.
Adrian’s expression changed. Without another word, he turned and started walking in that direction.
"Can I come too?" Zia’s voice suddenly came again, but this time from right behind him. She had already unlocked the car and climbed out. freewebnøvel.com
"No. Go back." He muttered coldly but the girl only shook her head.
"No, I won’t."
She ran forward and wrapped her arms tightly around one of his legs. Then she looked up at him and blinked repeatedly. "Please. Pleaaassse." freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Adrian’s body froze at the sudden contact, his brow furrowing as he glanced down at her. Then he glanced toward the direction Zia had said Elara had gone.
So determined to throw herself into danger again. For someone so intelligent, she had a remarkable talent for ignoring instructions.
He moved away from the little girl’s hold.
"Do whatever you want." He mummured. With that, he continued walking.
Zia stood still for a second as if trying to understand his words. Then she giggled and quickly ran after him.
It had not been long before Adrian spotted two men standing near a vehicle in the distance. They were visible from where he stood because of the open clearing around them, while the darkness and thick vegetation concealed him completely from their view.
And truly, Mrs Vale was there with them. His eyes narrowed slightly.
They really were wishing for death.
Then, remembering that Zia had said Elara followed them, he swept his gaze through the surrounding vegetation. Almost instantly, his eyes landed on a figure crouching awkwardly behind a cluster of tall shrubs.
"That’s Elara," Zia giggled. "She looks like a giant cabbage trying to hide from homework."
Adrian’s lips pressed into a thin line.
"Be quiet." He said, his eyes never leaving Elara’s back. She somehow managed to be less hidden than the bush she was using for cover.
He slowly moved toward her. Yet she didn’t notice him at all. Her entire attention was fixed on the people ahead, completely unaware of everything happening behind her. If he had been an enemy instead, she would have already been caught.
When he was only a few steps away, she suddenly straightened. At first, Adrian thought she had finally noticed someone behind her. But the next second, he realized she was preparing to rush toward the men.
His face darkened immediately. Before she could take another step, he closed the remaining distance between them and grabbed her by the wrist.
