Chapter 4
I was about to open my mouth when Adrian, again seemingly not caring, preceded me:
“The situation is serious,” he began. “I’ve already requested disciplinary action from the Langford board. My access to all personal assets has been suspended, and I willingly took ninety–nine lashes from your own security team.”
He stepped forward and placed the bloodstained whip into my hands.
The message was clear: If you still want revenge, destroy me yourself.
I stared at the torn, blood–smeared disciplinary report, and laughed.
“So this is how much you love her?”
“Yes.”
No hesitation.
“Was it Lillian?” I asked, “Did she tell you I poisoned her?”
He paused for a moment. “She has nothing to do with this.”
“I’ll ask only once. Yes or no?”
“…Yes.”
I clenched my fists so tightly my nails bit into my palms.
But I barely felt a thing.
“So, between her and me, you chose to believe her?”
Again, no hesitation. “Yes.”
Three yeses.
Three clean, sharp knives–cutting through the last piece of warmth I had left for him.
Just then, one of his assistants rushed in and whispered something in his ear.
His tense shoulders relaxed slightly. “Lillian’s awake. She’s asking for me. I have to go.”
He left without looking back.
As I watched his retreating figure, I whispered, “You mistook glass for a diamond… Adrian Whitmore, I’ll be waiting–for the day you regret it all.”
During my recovery, I shut myself away, refusing all visitors.
It wasn’t until I received an invitation to the Harrison Vineyard spring garden party that I finally stepped outside the Langford estate again.
On the day of the banquet, Adrian arrived with Lillian.
They didn’t sit together, but his attention to her was obvious.
He poured her drinks, offered her his handkerchief, arranged a seat just for her.
Every small gesture screamed care and affection–enough to make the other socialites around us green with envy.
“Mr. Whitmore is so attentive to her…”
“They say she almost died, and he practically carried her back from the brink…”
Gossip drifted like pollen on the wind.
IT–Inamu Notar Ho’s Regging
2.2%
Μπάμιες
I heard it all, but simply took a quiet sip of champagne.
Suddenly, someone made a suggestion.
This party’s a bit dull. Why don’t we have a little talent showcase? There’s a piano right in the garden.”
“Oh yes, I heard Miss Langford Once played Liszt in a red dress at her father’s birthday gala. The entire room was mesmerized”
“Like a red star fallen to Earth…”
Clink-
Adrian’s champagne glass slipped, spilling golden liquid down his fingers.
He snapped his head up to look at me, eyes filled with shock and confusion.
Lillian, meanwhile, had gone ghostly pale. Her fingers gripped the tablecloth so tightly her knuckles turned white.
I rose slowly from my seat, lips curling.
“If everyone’s interested, I suppose I’ll try not to disappoint.”
I walked over to the white antique Steinway in the garden, lifted my gown, and took a seat.
Fingers poised.
Then Liszt’s Liebestraum poured into the sunlight-
A melody of yearning, sorrow, and passion. Soft at first, then surging like a tide, heavy with everything unspoken.
But by the time I finished, Adrian was gone.
According to the celebrities, before I played, Lillian accidentally spilled her drink on her gown and Adrian took her away in a hurry to take her to
change.
A textbook exit.
After the party, I wandered alone by the lakeside near the vineyard.
“Miss Langford.”
A familiar voice called from behind.
I turned.
It was Lillian.
This time, there were no fake tears. No timid glances.
She simply stood there.
I raised an eyebrow. “Not playing the helpless victim today?”
She bit her lip–then suddenly dropped to her knees.
“You… already know, don’t you?”
I gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.
“Know what?”
Her voice trembled.
“I’m guilty. I… I led Adrian to misunderstand. It wasn’t me who played the piano in red that night–it was you.”
“I just… I wanted him to see me.”
Chapter 4
Tears filled her eyes.
“I’m from a lesser branch of the family. I grew up under a cruel stepmother. No one ever cared about me. I never dared wish for anything except him. Adrian is the only thing I’ve ever wanted.”
“Please…” Her voice cracked.
“Please don’t tell him the truth. I’m begging you. Let me have this.”
She looked up at me with tear–soaked eyes.
“There are so many men in this world. You could have anyone. Just… not him. Please… let him go.”
