Adrian walked into his apartment, his usually steady composure shaken. Seeing that journal on Evelyn's counter had rattled him more than he cared to admit. The symbols and fragments of words had been eerily familiar, dredging up memories he'd buried long ago.
Jonathan Black—his father—had kept similar notes in his study. Adrian had stumbled across them as a teenager, clueless about their significance at the time. Now, the connection was impossible to ignore.
He sat on the edge of his bed, running a hand through his hair. For weeks, he had been inching closer to the truth about Robert Chase's involvement in his parents' deaths. But the more time he spent with Evelyn, the more complicated everything became.
Adrian had expected her to be ruthless, the kind of person who wouldn't hesitate to trample over others for power. Instead, he had found a woman grappling with loss, betrayal, and a legacy she hadn't asked for. Her vulnerability wasn't an act—it was genuine, and that scared him.
His phone buzzed on the nightstand.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice sharper than intended.
"We've got a lead," came the voice on the other end. "Hartwell Industries was a front. We traced the money trail—it leads back to Chase Enterprises."
Adrian's grip on the phone tightened. "Are you sure?"
"Positive. But there's more. A man named Victor Hart was involved. He's been tied to your parents' deaths and Robert Chase's dealings."
Victor Hart. The name sent a jolt through Adrian. He had seen the man at the gala, schmoozing with guests like he owned the place. Now, he knew the man was far more dangerous than he appeared.
"Keep digging," Adrian said, his tone grim. "I want everything on Hart and his connection to Chase Enterprises."
As he hung up, Adrian felt the weight of his mission pressing down on him. He had promised himself he wouldn't let emotions cloud his judgment, but Evelyn was becoming more than just a means to an end.
He stared out the window, the city lights blurring in his vision.
For the first time, Adrian wasn't sure if he was ready for the truth—or the consequences it would bring.