Chapter 280

The crisp mountain air hung heavy with tension, the only sound being the whispering pines swaying in the breeze. After what felt like an eternity, Adrian was the first to break eye contact, tossing his spent cigarette into the snow with practiced indifference. "Stop dwelling on impossible scenarios."

Julian arched one perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "Is that friendly advice or a veiled warning?"

"Interpret it however you like," Adrian countered, already turning on his heel to leave without another word.

When he returned to the private courtyard intending to suggest their departure, the scene before him made the words die in his throat. Vivian and Audrey, wrapped in plush white robes, were laughing like schoolgirls as they dangled their feet in the steaming mineral waters.

Vivian noticed him first, tilting her head in that curious way she had. "What were you and Julian discussing for so long?"

"Just corporate matters," Adrian replied with deliberate casualness, though his jaw tightened imperceptibly.

Assuming it was merely business negotiations between powerful men, Vivian didn't probe further. Instead, she asked, "How do you two know each other anyway?"

Internally, she marveled at this revelation. Adrian had known Julian for years - further proof of the Montclair heir's substantial influence. Yet she couldn't recall any Blackwood family connections to the Montclairs.

Adrian's usually controlled voice carried an edge of irritation. "Our paths crossed years ago. We're hardly close."

Why this sudden fascination with Julian? She even addressed him with such familiarity, as if they shared some intimate history. An unfamiliar tightness coiled in Adrian's chest, though he'd never admit it was jealousy.

Dominic, ever the instigator, shot Adrian a mischievous grin. "What's this? Is the great Adrian Blackwood actually jealous?"

Audrey rolled her eyes before cutting in sharply, "Why would he be? They're practically divorced already."

Dominic's expression turned comically alarmed as he subtly tugged at Audrey's sleeve. She jerked away with a scoff. "What? Suddenly we're censoring the truth now?"

Adrian ignored Audrey entirely, instead fixing Dominic with a glare that could freeze lava. If looks could kill, Dominic would've been vaporized on the spot.

"Couples fight," Dominic offered weakly, rubbing the back of his neck. "They're not actually going through with the divorce, right?"

Audrey planted her hands on her hips. "Please. That precious Lise has practically moved into Blackwood Manor already."

"You really think they can all play happy family under one roof?"

The atmosphere turned suffocating. Vivian, unwilling to drag her friend deeper into this mess, was about to change the subject when a staff member approached with a polite bow.

"Mr. Pembroke has arranged for the entire resort to be at your private disposal. All other guests have been discreetly relocated."

Audrey tapped her chin thoughtfully. "In case any staff wander by, let's move to the indoor pool. A movie and some champagne in the water sounds perfect right now."

The suggestion was met with unanimous approval.

Meanwhile, in the resort's main villa, Mr. Pembroke sat wringing his hands, his normally composed demeanor fraying at the edges. The same staff member returned to find him pacing anxiously. "Sir? Is everything alright?"