Chapter 75
Adrian placed Ashleigh gently on the couch in his study, her expression troubled even in unconsciousness. He lingered for a moment, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, before turning to step outside. As he stepped out of his study, the heavy door clicked shut behind him.
His gaze immediately fell on the cluster of staff lingering in the hallway, their curious whispers abruptly silenced when his cold eyes met theirs. Susan was crying hysterically, her face buried in Chef Larry's chest, while Mrs. Smith stood nearby, frowning with disapproval.
Adrian's expression darkened, his jaw tightening as the scene grated on his nerves.
'And why are you all still standing here?" his voice cut through the air, sharp as a whip. 'Do you not want your jobs anymore?"
The reprimand snapped them back to reality. The staff scattered, scurrying back to their assigned duties, their heads bowed. Only Susan lingered, still sobbing as Chef Larry tried to console her. Adrian strode toward them, his steps deliberate. The moment Susan caught sight of him, her sobs quieted into trembling whimpers.
'And you," he said coldly, his piercing gaze fixed on Susan. 'If you don't stop those tears, you will leave this house and never see your Madame again. I will ensure it."
Chef Larry bristled, his jaw tightening, but he said nothing as he led Susan away. Adrian watched them retreat before turning to Mrs. Smith, who stood her ground, her expression a mixture of concern and disapproval.
'Adrian," she began, her tone firm but soft, 'you didn't have to be so harsh. Susan cares for Ashleigh deeply."
'There are better ways to show concern than causing a scene," Adrian replied curtly, his expression unmoved.
'Ashleigh has indulged them too much in her personal affairs." Mrs. Smith's eyes narrowed, her gaze shifting toward his office.
'How is Ashleigh? She looked terribly upset earlier." 'She's resting," Adrian said, blocking her path to the study.
'There's no need for you to worry, Aunt. I'll handle everything from here." Mrs. Smith hesitated, studying him closely.
'Adrian, is what she said about your relationship true?" For a moment Adrian faltered, his usual composure slipping.
'I… had some matters to handle in Italy," he said vaguely. 'We argued before I left, and things escalated."
Her disapproval was immediate. 'Adrian, I entrusted my niece to you not just for financial and physical security, but for her happiness. In case you've forgotten, Ashleigh has never been in a relationship like this before. She needs care and understanding, not neglect."
'I understand, Aunt," he replied, his voice calm but strained.
'No," she said sharply, her eyes hardening. 'You don't. Don't let her leave this marriage more broken than she entered it. I supported this union because I believed it was for the best. Don't make me regret that decision." Adrian nodded, his expression unreadable.
'I assure you, everything will be resolved." his voice steadied as though his resolve felt tested.
Mrs. Smith stared at him for a long moment before nodding and walking away, accompanied by Mr. Turner.
As they walked away, Adrian called out, 'Mr. Atkinson."
His head of staff stepped forward, his posture rigid. 'Yes, sir."
'Make sure no one speaks a word about this evening. Dismiss anyone who disobeys. And ensure that no one comes here without my permission. Especially Susan."
'Understood, sir," Mr. Atkinson said, bowing slightly before departing.
Now alone in the hallway, Adrian let out a quiet breath, the weight of the evening pressing down on him. He turned back to his study, his hand pressing against the fingerprint scanner. The door unlocked with a soft click, but before he could step inside, Ashleigh bolted toward the opening, her movements quick and desperate.
Adrian caught her easily, guiding her back into the room and shutting the door behind him.
'Are you alright? When did you wake up?" he asked, his tone softer than he intended. Ashleigh didn't meet his eyes.
'I'm fine. I'd like to go to my room now," she said, her tone flat and distant. Adrian stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
'No, you're not leaving this room until we talk." 'I don't want to talk to you, Mr. Cagliari," she snapped, her voice rising.
'Just let me go." Ignoring her protests, Adrian walked to the couch and sat down, watching as she tugged futilely at the locked door.
His study, like his bedroom, was secured to everyone but him. His eyes narrowed as he observed her stubborn determination. Despite her exhaustion and anger, Ashleigh's spirit was unyielding—a trait that both frustrated and fascinated him.
He leaned back, his eyes fixed on her as she finally gave up, turning to face him. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and her hands balled into fists at her sides.
'What do you gain from this, Adrian?" she demanded, her voice sharp.
'Do you enjoy making me feel weaker than you at every turn?"
Adrian's jaw tightened, but he forced himself to remain calm. 'Making you feel weaker?" he repeated, his tone measured.
'Yes! Weaker!" she exclaimed, stepping closer.
'Why are you pretending to care now? You ignored me for months, Adrian. Then suddenly, you show up, drag me away from Robin, and bring me here like it's some act of kindness. Do you think I can't see through you?"
Adrian locked his gaze on hers. 'Was I not supposed to save you from falling? To help you when you were about to faint?" he asked, exhaling sharply as his patience thinned.
'No, you weren't!" she shouted, her voice cracking. 'You should've left me on the ground so I could learn to pick myself up without your help, instead of putting me through the humiliation of being ‘saved' by someone who doesn't care...... I don't need your charity, Adrian. I don't need you swooping in like some savior when you don't care!" Adrian stared at her, his lips pressed into a thin line. Her words cut deeper than he wanted to admit.
'You've never truly cared about me unless it serves your interests," Ashleigh continued, her tone quieter but no less fierce. She took slow, deliberate steps toward him, her bare feet barely making a sound on the floor.
Adrian's gaze drifted to her feet, noticing for the first time that she wasn't wearing shoes.
'When did she lose them"? he wondered absently, a fleeting thought amidst the storm of her accusations.
'You only came because that video reached you," she said bitterly.
'Before then, it didn't matter that I was being stalked or insulted. You were comfortable in Italy, weren't you?"
Adrian's expression darkened, guilt flickering in his eyes. 'You think I was comfortable?" he asked, his voice dangerously low.
Adrian's chest tightened at her words, but he held his ground. 'You really think I don't care?" he asked quietly, his voice laced with restrained emotion.
'I don't care what you think," she retorted, her voice trembling. 'All I know is that you've made it painfully clear I'm nothing more than a burden to you—a contract you can't wait to be free of." She stepped closer, her eyes burning with fury as she leaned toward him.
'Two months," she said, her voice cold. 'Two months, and I'll finally be free of you. I can't wait."
Adrian felt a pang of something unfamiliar—something sharp and painful that settled in his chest. Her words shouldn't have hurt as much as they did, but they cut deeper than he expected.
For a moment, the room was silent, the tension between them thick and suffocating. Adrian's gaze never left hers, and in her eyes, he saw something raw and unfiltered. Beneath the anger, the pain, and the defiance, there was something else—something she wasn't ready to admit.
Without thinking, he reached out, gently placing a hand under her chin to keep her from looking away. Before she could react, Adrian took her hands in his, pulling her closer until she was sitting beside him on the couch. Her eyes widened, her body stiffening at the sudden proximity, but he didn't let go.
'Now that you've said what's on your mind," he said, his voice low, 'it's my turn."
'I left," Adrian began, his voice steady but laced with emotion, 'because I didn't know how to face you, Ashleigh."