Chapter 91

"Adrian! To what do I owe the pleasure or displeasure?" Alexander greeted, arching a brow as he leaned against the doorframe. Adrian didn't bother with a response, pushing past him into the mansion. He wasn't here for pleasantries. After reviewing the results of the investigation into Ashleigh's supposed stalker, Adrian had been forced to acknowledge something that Ashleigh had been telling the truth, and he had never truly paid attention to her struggles. That realization led him here, to the one person who had spent the most time with her at school. He needed answers. "Babe, where are......oh." Megan's voice trailed off as she entered the room, stopping short when she saw Adrian standing beside Alexander. Her eyes flickered between them, uncertain. Alexander casually draped an arm around her waist in a grounding gesture. "Babe, this is my friend Adrian-the one I told you about," Alexander said. Recognition flashed in Megan's eyes. "Oh... hi. Nice to meet you." Her voice was polite, but there was a distinct wariness in her posture. She hesitated before extending a hand in greeting, then quickly retracted it, smoothing it over her shirt instead. "Welcome to our home." Adrian's gaze flickered between them, mildly amused. This level of casual intimacy felt foreign to him. He tried to picture himself and Ashleigh in a similar situation, but the image didn't fit. They had never been that kind of couple. Alexander led Megan inside, and Adrian followed, taking in the space. The house had the same grandeur as the Cagliari mansion, but the atmosphere was warmer. Shades of gold and earthy browns filled the room, making it feel more like a home than a statement of wealth. Family photos adorned the walls, and above the couch hung a large framed picture, their engagement ceremony. A glint passed through Adrian's eyes. So, they really were serious. Alexander's voice broke his thoughts. "You ignored me back there, man. What's up with you?" He gave Adrian a pointed look before settling onto the couch with Megan. Adrian took a seat opposite them, crossing one leg over the other. "Can't a man drop by to see an old friend?" he asked lightly. Alexander narrowed his eyes with a frown. "You don't do social visits." Adrian shrugged, then with a casualness that was entirely intentional, he added, "Or were you busy? Did I interrupt something?" Megan stiffened immediately. Her body went rigid, and with a sharp motion, she pulled away from Alexander's hold, putting space between them. Her fingers tensed on her lap before she abruptly stood. "I'll, uh... get the butler to bring some drinks." Her voice was clipped, her face slightly flushed. Alexander tried to reach for her hand, but she slapped it away as she turned, practically storming out of the room. "Excuse me." Adrian smirked as she walked away. Alexander glared at him. "You really are a piece of shit, you know that?" Adrian's smirk deepened. "What? Did I ruin the mood?" Alexander exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face. "It wasn't you, it was what you said. Now she's going to be embarrassed all day." Adrian only chuckled, making himself comfortable. When Alexander didn't drop his glare, Adrian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Alright. Let's get to it. I found out something interesting about my wife's case at school." His tone turned serious. "I know who's behind it." Alexander's expression shifted, his brows lifting slightly. "For real?" Before Adrian could answer, Megan returned, followed by a butler carrying a tray of drinks. She sat beside Alexander, and his arm instinctively curled around her again, a small gesture of reassurance. "What's he talking about?" she asked, glancing between them. "Why does he want to talk to me?" Adrian met her gaze. "You're the closest person to Ashleigh at school. That makes you the best source of information." Megan visibly relaxed at that, though she still looked skeptical. "I don't know how much help I can be. We weren't exactly close. I didn't even want a roommate at first. I'd been told the space was supposed to be mine for the whole year." She hesitated. "But I do know she had a hard time in her department. There was always something." Adrian's expression darkened slightly. "Why?" he asked, arching his brows. Megan shrugged. "Because she was too good. She exceeded expectations. She began pushing some of the top students out of their spots, and people didn't like that." Adrian felt a strange swell of pride at the thought of Ashleigh excelling, but it was quickly tempered by the reality of what that had cost her. "She even made it onto mini blogs when she had a quiz face off and after..." Megan trailed off, shifting uncomfortably. "After she saved me." Alexander's jaw tensed. They all knew the incident she was referring to. "I think the bullying really started then," Megan continued. "She seemed disturbed afterward. I remember coming back from the short break I had and confronting her about calling Alex that night." She let out a small, regretful sigh. "That was the first time I saw her break down. She snapped at me, said at least I had who'd come for me when I was hurt." Adrian said nothing, but his fingers tightened subtly against his knee. "She said she was being followed and had no one to turn to," Megan added softly. A heavy silence settled over the room. Alexander shot Adrian a pointed look. "I wonder why," he muttered. Adrian ignored him, his mind replaying the night before, Ashleigh's voice, raw with pain. "Am I that insignificant to you?" Megan cleared her throat. "Anyway, after that, she threw herself into her midterms, I barely saw her for days. Then came the Robinette bash... and everything went to hell." Adrian's gaze turned sharp. "Who were the top students in her department?" Megan scoffed. "I'm a third-year. You think I follow newbie drama?" Alexander nodded in agreement, and Adrian shot Alexander a look of irritation. "Useless." He looked about ready to lunge at him, but Megan placed a hand on his chest, shaking her head. "I'll check the school's social forums and see if there's anything useful. Give me a second, my phone's upstairs." As she stood, she paused, glancing over her shoulder at Alexander. "Don't fight him while I'm gone." Adrian smirked in amusement as Alexander deflated, taking a reluctant sip of his juice. "Who'd have thought the mighty Alexander Myron would bow to a girl half his size?" Adrian mused. Alexander rolled his eyes. "You wouldn't understand. You wither up at the mention of affection." Megan returned a few minutes later, her expression unreadable. She sat down, sliding her phone toward Adrian. "This is the top student of in Ashleigh's class. Alana Russel." Adrian took the phone, skimming the names. His face remained neutral, but a storm brewed behind his eyes. "She's the top student in Ashleigh's year. Her family is influential, and she's influential as well as smart. She is also in line for the same global competition Ashleigh was interested in." Adrian said nothing, but Alexander saw the way his shoulders stiffened slightly. Megan shifted uncomfortably. "Look, I-I wasn't exactly kind to her in the beginning." She sighed, shaking her head. "But even I could see how isolated she was. And the way you treated her..." She glanced at Adrian, her gaze unusually sharp. "You're her husband, but you act like she's a stranger." Adrian didn't respond but Megan continued, her voice quieter now. "I don't know what's going on between you two. But if you keep treating her like she's insignificant..." She met his gaze. "One day, you're going to regret it." Adrian's jaw ticked, but he didn't respond and her words lingered heavy in the air. Alexander exhaled through his nose. "You should think about that, man." Adrian said nothing. He simply stood, adjusting his cuffs. "We'll talk later Alexander." With that, he turned and walked out, leaving behind a silence that felt heavier than when he arrived.