Chapter 411

The press conference hall buzzed with flashing cameras. Adrian Valdemar's gaze froze the moment it landed on Sophia Laurent.

His fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of his suit jacket. His Adam's apple bobbed.

A reporter suddenly thrust a microphone toward him. "Mr. Valdemar, do you have anything to say to Ms. Laurent?"

The tips of Adrian's ears burned red.

Ever since learning the truth—that he had drugged Alexander at that banquet, indirectly causing Sophia's pregnancy—every encounter with her left him on edge.

"I..." His voice caught in his throat.

Sophia arched a brow, her dark eyes gleaming under the spotlights.

"Seems like Mr. Valdemar has a lot to say?" She chuckled.

Adrian hastily averted his gaze, a sheen of sweat forming on the back of his neck.

"Everyone... should pursue their dreams." The words tumbled out stiffly. He wished he could bite his tongue off.

The room erupted in good-natured laughter.

#AdrianValdemarPublicConfession

#EmpressCastVisualPerfection

The trending list was instantly flooded.

Netizens' comments poured in like a tidal wave:

"That look from Adrian! Textbook unrequited love!"

"Queen Sophia radiating dominance! Obsessed!"

"Just for these visuals, I'm locking in 'Empress'!"

Richard Lowell's fans immediately retaliated:

"Pure publicity stunt!"

"What does 'Empress' have besides pretty faces?"

"Waiting for 'River Banquet' to crush it!"

The moment the conference ended, Adrian bolted backstage like a startled rabbit.

"Stop."

Sophia's voice rooted him to the spot.

She approached slowly, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

"Are you avoiding me?" She tilted her head slightly.

Adrian's lashes fluttered wildly. "N-no..."

"Then why won't you look at me?"

Silence thickened the air.

Adrian's throat moved again.

Sophia suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder. "I told you, you can trust me."

His head snapped up, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "What if... what if I did something terrible?"

"How terrible?"

"Like..." His voice dwindled to a whisper. "Making someone pregnant..."

Sophia narrowed her eyes.

Adrian hastily clarified, "Not me! Someone else! I just helped!"

The backstage lights cast uneven shadows across his face.

Sophia suddenly laughed. "You don't mean the Alexander incident, do you?"

Adrian's expression petrified.