Chapter 86

The conference hall fell into stunned silence as Adrian's voice cut through the tension like a blade. His presence alone was commanding, but his words sent an even stronger shockwave through the room. Ashleigh's grip tightened on the edge of her chair, her heart hammering as she watched him walk toward the panelists with unshaken confidence. He's here. The chairman, clearly unsettled but attempting to maintain control, cleared his throat. "Mr. Cagliari, this is a formal hearing. You cannot simply barge in and disrupt the proceedings." Adrian's lips curled into a smirk, his posture radiating quiet authority. "And let you pass judgment based on incomplete, biased information?" Murmurs rippled through the panelists, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. He strode to Ashleigh's side, taking the empty seat beside her. His presence alone shifted the energy in the room, making the panelists exchange wary glances. Mrs. Cartwright however kept expression sharp, and leaned forward. "That's a bold claim, Mr. Cagliari. But before you continue, I must ask-what relationship do you have with Miss Hartman that justifies your involvement?" Ashleigh's breath hitched. She turned to Adrian, her pulse racing as his gaze met hers. Then, without hesitation, he reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers. "I see the management failed to inform you," he said, voice steady. "Ashleigh is my wife." The silence that followed was deafening. Ashleigh felt the weight of the words settle over her like a heavy cloak. Wife. He said it, here, in front of everyone-without hesitation, without denial. "But Miss Hartman listed herself as single," she countered, though her voice lacked its earlier confidence. Adrian arched a brow. "And? Should I present our marriage certificate?" The chairman sputtered at his words, shifting nervously. Ashleigh shot Adrian a look: half disbelief, half exasperation. "Did he really have to be this dramatic?" She thought, shooting a withering glare at him. "For personal reasons, my wife chose to keep it private," Adrian continued. "Now, shall we proceed?" Mrs. Cartwright hesitated before sinking back into her chair. The chairman exhaled. "Very well. Go ahead, Mr. Cagliari." Adrian released Ashleigh's hand and strode to the podium. He flipped it open, pulling out several printed documents and a USB drive. A technician was called in, and moments later, the room dimmed as the projector came to life. "The first piece of evidence," Adrian began, "is from the night in question. "Here are the text messages sent to my wife's phone." The screen displayed two sets of messages, side by side, with matching timestamps and two distinct phone numbers. "Now, one might assume Ashleigh could have recognized the second number as suspicious," Adrian said, pacing slowly. "That's fair. But upon further investigation, we traced the calls and texts back to a location inside the party hall." A murmur spread through the panelists. Mrs. Cartwright's voice rang out, sharp and skeptical. "That doesn't prove anything. A stalker could have simply snuck in. That doesn't excuse Miss Hartman's reckless behavior." Ashleigh's stomach twisted at the veiled accusation, but before she could react, Adrian spoke. "And that is precisely the problem, isn't it?" His gaze turned sharp. His voice dropped, dangerously low. "You mean to tell me that at an event hosted by a renowned institution as such, was easily infiltrated by a known stalker, even after students had raised concerns? And rather than address the glaring security failure, your response was to blame my wife?" A few panelists glanced at each other uneasily. Mrs. Cartwright's jaw tightened. "Now, let's move on." Adrian gestured to the screen as a new clip played. "This footage was previously used as evidence. However, upon closer analysis by forensic experts, two key details emerged." The video zoomed in on the perpetrator struggling against Ashleigh. The image froze, and a red circle appeared around the chain dangling from his neck. "This isn't just any chain," Adrian said, his voice measured. "It's a custom piece, valued at hundreds of thousands of pounds." Gasps echoed through the room. "This is not the kind of accessory just anyone wears. This belongs to a very particular class of people." He paused, his gaze sweeping across the panelists. "A class that exists within the students of Robin College." The weight of his words settled heavily over the panel. The chairman crossed his arms, deep in thought. Ashleigh's chest tightened as a realization set in. Adrian was not only defending her, he is dismantling their entire case by delivering a calculated, undeniable strike. "And finally," Adrian said, voice cooling to something almost sinister, "the most crucial piece of evidence: the perpetrator's scent." A flicker of confusion passed through the room. Even the chairman raised an eyebrow. "Scent?" the chairman echoed, confused. Adrian turned toward Ashleigh and approached her, his steps deliberate. Her palms dampened with sweat. What was he doing? Stopping just before her, he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Mi Amore, you told me something that night. Do you remember?" Ashleigh's breath caught. "Mi Amore?" She blinked rapidly before nodding. "Y-yes. There was a distinct scent. Strong. Unusual." Adrian straightened, looking back at the panel. "On further investigation, we discovered this particular scent isn't available for purchase. It's custom-made." The panelists leaned in. "This fragrance," Adrian continued, "is crafted by Camille Duval, a perfumer who provides services for only ten families. Ten families who all happen to have children enrolled at Robin College." A stunned silence filled the room. "Coincidence?" Adrian asked, his voice turning sharp. "I think not." Mrs. Cartwright looked pale now, her earlier bravado fading fast. Adrian turned and handed the documents to the chairman. "Is there enough proof now?" His voice cut through the air like a blade. The panellists exchanged uneasy glances. The chairman, beads of sweat forming on his brow, scanned the documents. "This... this changes things." Adrian smirked and leaned back in his seat, entirely at ease. "I would think so. Now, I have a few questions I'd like this institution to answer. In court." The chairman stiffened. "Mr. Cagliari, there's no need to escalate this...." "Oh, but I believe there is." Adrian's voice was razor-sharp now. "I made a significant investment in this college. Additionally, I funded my wife's scholarship with the expectation that she would be treated with respect as she studies here. Instead, you nearly expelled her based on fabricated claims." Ashleigh's froze. "He... what?" Her hands clenched in her lap. He paid for her scholarship? He was the reason she was able to study here? A lump formed in her throat as waves of emotions crashed over her-gratitude, disbelief, and something deeper, something she didn't want to name just yet. On the other hand, waves of panic ripped through the panelists, Mrs Cartwright's face had become pale. The chairman straightened his posture, suddenly alert. "Sir, there's no need to take such drastic action. This was clearly a misunderstanding, one that we're eager to rectify. We deeply appreciate your investment in our institution." His tone had shifted to pure formality. "In light of this new evidence," the chairman continued, turning to Ashleigh, "your suspension is officially lifted, Mrs. Cagliari. We sincerely apologize." The words rang in Ashleigh's ears. Just like that, everything changed. Overwhelmed, she turned to Adrian, her chest tight with emotion. Without thinking, she rose from her chair and threw her arms around him, burying her face against his shoulder. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you so much, Adrian." For a moment, he remained still. Then, slowly, his arms came around her, holding her just as tightly. He leaned down, his voice low against her ear. "Always." Author's note: get you a man that can still flirt with you while defending your honor. Adrian green flag era ?