Chapter 113

Adrian's response was infuriatingly nonchalant. "Dull."

Dominic hurriedly spilled the details, fearing Adrian might disconnect. "You'll regret skipping this—it's adjacent to the vibrant downtown financial district, at Cascade Residences."

Cascade Residences—a name entirely unfamiliar compared to what Vivian had previously mentioned.

Adrian's finger hesitated briefly over the end-call button before he reconsidered. "I'm coming," he stated.

Thirty minutes later, a discreet Audi pulled up beside Dominic's flashy Ferrari.

Dominic's gaze flickered over, curiosity etching his features as Ethan emerged from the driver's seat to open the rear door.

Jogging closer, Dominic tapped the car roof with a smirk. "Adrian, swapping your luxury fleet for this relic? What's the story?"

Adrian stepped out, his expression icy, and strode past Dominic without acknowledgment.

Ethan explained calmly, "Mr. Blackwood's vehicle was undergoing maintenance when you called. Since mine was available at the office, I drove it here."

Adrian shot Ethan a frosty glare. "Since when did you become so chatty?"

Dominic was visibly taken aback. Normally, Adrian's cars received priority service—no queues, just a swift hour or two for routine checks. He'd never rushed before, not even for multimillion-dollar deals. Yet today, his impatience was palpable.

Could this mean he actually cared about Vivian?

Everyone had assumed Adrian's marriage to Vivian was a reckless act of defiance—a middle finger to his family after seizing control, a rebellion against being torn apart from Serena. To the world, Vivian was a modern-day Cinderella, stumbling into opulence and the life of a trophy wife. People believed she worshipped Adrian, though she seemed little more than a glorified maid in their mansion.

No one expected her to claim her independence. They'd all anticipated she'd wait passively until Adrian grew bored and replaced her with a socialite of his caliber. Yet against all odds, she did assert herself—not only walking away empty-handed but leaving twenty million Sterlings behind for Adrian.

Despite his usual detachment, Adrian wasn't ready to let her go and finalize their divorce.

Had their relationship been so grossly misunderstood? Perhaps even Adrian himself hadn't fully recognized his own evolving feelings.

Dominic's lips curled into a knowing smile, a glint of private victory in his eyes, as if he alone held the truth amidst universal ignorance. Once the conversation seemed concluded, Ethan didn't linger; he started the car and drove off promptly.

Scanning the surroundings, Adrian recognized the vicinity—near the neighborhood he'd once visited to fetch Vivian. He hadn't expected her to be this cautious, to mislead him with a decoy address. The realization pricked him.

They were still husband and wife. He'd always considered himself a dutiful partner—no scandals, unwavering financial support. Why then did she harbor such deep resentment? True, his work often consumed him, possibly neglecting some of her needs, but a simple conversation could have bridged that gap. Now she was demanding a complete separation, secretly leasing a new place to escape their shared history.