Chapter 62

After the call from Alexander, Adrian spent several minutes brooding over the matter, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He was pulled back to reality by Caelia's voice, her curiosity piqued by his intense reaction. 'What was the call about?" she asked, her honey voice breaking through his thoughts as her eyes fixed on him with anticipation. Adrian cleared his throat, masking his emotions with a neutral expression. 'Alexander was just updating me about someone from my company," he replied, returning to his meal with deliberate calm. Caelia wasn't convinced. She had noticed his reaction when the woman was mentioned and couldn't shake her suspicions. Adrian was notoriously private, even with his family, who had been frustratingly tight-lipped whenever she inquired about him. Her thoughts whirled as she watched him, wondering who this woman was and what she meant to him. A flicker of jealousy sparked within her as she contemplated the possibility of a romantic connection. 'So, is Alexander interested in this woman? Is that why you're not keen on him interacting with her?" Caelia probed lightly, feigning disinterest as she pushed the pasta around her plate. Adrian paused, his grip tightening on his fork. 'That's none of your concern," he said coldly, his gaze heavy as it lingered on her for a moment before he resumed eating. Caelia was taken aback by his harsh tone but chose to stay silent, not wanting to push him further. The tension between them grew, thickening the air as they continued their meal in uncomfortable silence. The only sound was the distant echo of Turner's footsteps as he left the room, only to return moments later. 'What is it this time, Turner?" Adrian asked, impatience seeping into his voice as he sensed his assistant's unease. Turner leaned in close, his voice trembling slightly as he whispered, 'Sir, I just received a call from the investigation team about Ashleigh's case. They've found some information they want to discuss with you urgently." A flicker of surprise crossed Adrian's face. 'Get the car ready. I'll be leaving in a few minutes," he instructed, his tone clipped. Turner nodded and quickly left to make the arrangements. Adrian's gaze shifted to Caelia, who was already looking at him with a forlorn expression, having overheard that he was leaving. 'I'm afraid I have to excuse myself once again, Caelia," he said as he removed the napkin from his lap and adjusted his suit. Inside, Caelia seethed with frustration. Madam Eleanor had promised her that Adrian would spend the entire day with her, yet here he was, slipping away once more. Despite her anger, she maintained a concerned facade, reaching out to lightly grasp his hand. 'Is there a serious issue? Perhaps my father can help," she suggested, her hair falling across her shoulders as her eyes glistened with feigned worry. Adrian's gaze flicked to her hand before he gently pulled away, standing up just as Turner returned. 'There's nothing I can't handle. If I need your father's assistance, I'll reach out to him directly. Have a good evening, Caelia," he concluded, turning to leave with his bodyguards and Mr. Turner following closely behind. Caelia's eyes narrowed as she watched him leave, biting her lips in frustration. As they exited, Turner felt the intensity of Caelia's glare boring into his back. He could almost feel her fury, and when he dared to glance back, he saw her gripping the table knife so tightly that her knuckles were white. He quickly turned away, hoping Adrian would pick up the pace so they could leave the gazebo as soon as possible. Adrian climbed into the car, relieved to escape the dinner. He was already tired of Caelia's company and knew that by the time he returned home, she would likely have reported his departure to his mother. As soon as Turner entered the car, Adrian gave him an instruction. 'Book a reservation at Marion Hotels for a few days. Bring my belongings after the meeting, and inform my family that I'm on a business trip." Turner nodded and signaled the driver to leave. He then entered the next car and followed behind them. The driver headed into the city instead of returning to the family estate. After a short drive, they arrived at Marion Hotel, where Adrian checked into the presidential suite. He waited as Turner set up a conference call with the investigation team using the room's smart television. Once the call connected, the faces on the screen greeted Adrian respectfully. 'Good evening, everyone. It's about time we had a direct conversation. Until now, you've been updating my assistant, but I understand there's something urgent you need to tell me," Adrian began, his tone authoritative. 'Yes, sir. It's an honor to work for you, and we take our duties seriously. Regarding Ashleigh Hartman, we previously informed you that her father was associated with a mafia group, but we didn't know which one. We've since discovered that the group was La Mano Nera, a powerful organization that operated in the 1980s. However, the group was disbanded the year Ashleigh's mother died, following the deaths of several key members. According to our research, her father was listed as deceased as well," the lead investigator explained, displaying the information on the screen. Adrian sighed, recalling Ashleigh's sadness when she mentioned her mother's death. It seemed she was truly alone, orphaned in every sense of the word. 'We also investigated the Rossi family and their assets. The Rossi family had two children: Celestina, who was Ashleigh's mother, and Gabriel, her younger brother. Their father's will stated that the first grandchild would inherit the family's estate, and since Celestina was the only one to have a child before her death, her daughter was named the sole heir. Gabriel went missing after his sister's death and hasn't been found to this day," the investigator continued, pausing for emphasis. 'The Rossi family has some of the most reputable businesses in Italy and beyond. When Celestina joined the family business, she helped expand its reach across continents. The most prominent companies under the Rossi name include Medici Media Group, Florida Energy, Campania Construction, and the Lombardi Hotels in Italy," he elaborated, listing the companies on the screen, their CEO listed simply as 'Rossi" in bold letters. Adrian sat back in his chair, stunned. These companies were still among the top in their industries, despite the apparent absence of a figurehead. He realized that his father owned shares in these companies, shares that were now under Adrian's control. He had attended a few board meetings, but he had never met the elusive CEO—only the board of trustees. 'Celestina was also known for her influence in the financial sector. She managed a global hedge fund, luxury asset holdings, and a sovereign wealth fund. Additionally, she owned several businesses, the most notable being Cygnus Data Center, due to her passion for technology," the investigator added, catching Adrian's attention with the mention of the data center. 'This is quite the revelation," Adrian mused, his mind already racing with possibilities as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. 'So, is anyone in charge of these assets now?" Adrian asked, leaning forward again, his hands steepled in front of him. 'Not directly. These assets are managed by trustees under the ‘Ordine Della Rosa Nera,' a society dedicated to preserving the Rossi family's legacy. The society's rules are strict: the assets can only be controlled or inherited by a verified direct blood relative. No outsiders are allowed to claim them," the investigator explained, his voice steady. Adrian's lips curled into a slight smile. The Rossi family's legacy was within his grasp, and the thought thrilled him. As he began to form a plan in his mind, the investigator spoke up again, his tone more urgent. 'Sir, there's something else. We've discovered that other parties are also looking into Ashleigh. Specifically, members of La Mano Nera." Adrian's eyes darkened, and the room grew cold.