Chapter 301

The bodyguard took the phone and pushed the door open.

A flash of white flickered through the gap.

Adrian Valdemar abruptly turned his face away, brows furrowed.

His eyes stung.

Ten minutes later, the bodyguard emerged and returned the phone.

"Young Master Adrian, the videos and photos are done."

Adrian checked the gallery and nodded in satisfaction.

He hurried downstairs, wanting to leave before Sophia Laurent arrived.

She shouldn't see this.

In the lobby, Sophia was reviewing financial reports.

The hotel's performance was unexpectedly strong.

The assistant manager whispered, "Warren Kingsley was trying to curry favor with Damian Valdemar for a promotion."

Sophia smirked coldly.

Footsteps echoed from the staircase.

"Sophia!"

Adrian's voice carried rare lightness.

She looked up at him.

Though his lip was bruised, his eyes were clear.

"Badly hurt?"

"Just a scratch." Adrian grinned, then winced in pain.

Sophia understood.

"Go home and tend to it."

Adrian obeyed. "Yes, Sophia."

She raised an eyebrow.

He used to say her name with sarcasm. Today, it sounded almost pleasant.

In the car, Adrian watched the scenery blur past.

For the first time in twenty years, he felt light.

The nightmares that had haunted him for years had finally faded.

At eight years old, Damian had filmed him naked in the mud and sent it to their entire class.

The classmates' stares had cut like knives, day after day, shredding his dignity.

Every night as an adult, the flashbulbs had flared in his dreams.

But last night, he'd slept deeply.

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, warming Adrian's face.

He opened the window and inhaled deeply.

The air smelled of freedom.