5
Penny’s face was still deathly pale.
The moment she saw Adrian, she began to struggle, trying to run to him.
“Adrian, save me!”
Ignoring the searing pain in his back, Adrian quickened his pace and intercepted the officers.
“Officers, excuse me. Penny Bell is my fiancée. Why are you taking her away? There must be some kind of mistake.”
14.44
The police officer gave Adrian’s battered and bloodied state a strange, complicated look but explained professionally, “We received a tip linking her to the accidental
Car crash of Mr. and Mrs. Sterling one year ago. She is currently a person of interest.”
“Sir, I need you to remain calm. We have to take her in for questioning.”
The words hit Adrian like a physical blow. His mind went blank.
“It can’t be Penny,” he said automatically. “There has to be a misunderstanding.”
As the police car pulled away, Adrian immediately turned to his assistant.
“Get our top lawyers on this. I want her released on bail, today.”
R
The assistant nodded, but before he left, he couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Sterling, the police action was very sudden. Is it possible they actually found something?”
Adrian let out a cold laugh.
He glanced back towards the hall of ancestors, his eyes filled with an unconcealed disgust.
“It’s not about what the police found. It’s about what someone did behind the scenes.”
The assistant wanted to say more, but the chilling, murderous look in Adrian’s eyes silenced him.
With the full force of the Sterling Group’s legal team behind her, Penny was released from the police station without much trouble.
She threw herself into Adrian’s arms, tears streaming down her face as she looked up at him with wide, grateful eyes.
“Adrian, I don’t know what I would have done without you,” she sobbed. “Thank you for still believing in me.”
Adrian’s expression softened, his eyes filling with a gentle, protective light as he stroked her back.
“In this world, you’re the only person I can trust anymore.”
“Three years ago, when my parents‘ health started failing, Rosalie’s ambition began to show. You were the one who kept warning
me.”
“But I was a fool back then. I couldn’t believe my own sister would turn on me.”
“And then came the crash. If it weren’t for you, I’d be the one who spent the last three years in a hospital bed.”
His eyes reddened as he held her tighter.
“Penny, you are the only one who has ever been truly loyal to me. You would never betray me like Rosalie did.”
“That’s why I will protect you, no matter what it takes.”
Lost in his own emotional turmoil, Adrian failed to notice the glint of triumph in the eyes of the woman he held.
Chapter 2
14:44
Penny feigned a fragile weakness. “Adrian, I know you turned on Rosalie for my sake, but this won’t solve the problem.”
“I’m so, so scared.”
“Why don’t you… take her share of the inheritance, too? If Rosalie has nothing, she won’t have the power to hurt me anymore.”
Just a moment ago, Adrian’s face had been gentle. Now, his expression turned to ice.
His tone was sharp with displeasure.
“She is still my sister. What belongs to her is hers. I won’t take it.”
“And you will not entertain that thought again.”
Realizing his words were too harsh, he softened, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you. Trust me.”
A wave of resentment washed over Penny, but she could only nod obediently.
Adrian’s jaw tightened, his gaze hardening with resolve.
“I need to talk to Rosalie. I’ll have someone take you home first.”
“She’s probably still at the house, recovering.”
“I’ll make it clear to her. If she has a problem, she can come to me.”
Just then, his assistant pulled the car around.
Adrian got in and gave the order. “Take me home.”
