CEO loves me with all his soul.-Chapter 79.

Adrian’s phone buzzed, the name "Wuner Hudel" flashing on the screen. His heart thudded, emotions tightening his chest. He knew he had to answer this, no matter how much he didn’t want to.

Taking a steadying breath, Adrian swiped to accept the call, holding the phone to his ear without speaking.

"Adrian," Wuner’s cold, familiar voice cut through the line, sounding as if nothing had changed. "How are you doing?"

Adrian remained silent, his jaw clenched, every muscle in his body tense as he listened.

"Silent, huh?" Wuner continued, unperturbed. "I heard you found out about your true parentage. But don’t forget, Hudel Manor raised you, Adrian."

Adrian felt the words pierce him, his hand gripping the phone so tightly his knuckles turned white. A tear slid down his cheek, and he whispered bitterly, his voice trembling, "Yes, I remember. I remember that Hudel Manor raised me. Not in a home, but in an empty, dark storage room."

There was silence on the other end, but Adrian didn’t stop. His voice rose, filled with years of pent-up pain and anger. "That room was cold, damp, and miserable. I was kept there for days, locked away, while everyone else lived comfortably. I was treated like... like a disposable object."

Wuner’s tone darkened, irritation replacing his previous calmness. "You’re being dramatic, Adrian. You were taken care of."

Adrian’s lips twisted into a bitter smile, his voice laced with anguish and fury. "Taken care of? Do you remember the times I went without food because it was inconvenient for you? Or the way you sent me abroad because Wryn’s crush... liked me instead of him?"

Wuner let out a derisive snort. "Naive as always. You were a nuisance. If you hadn’t made it difficult, we wouldn’t have had to ’discipline’ you."

"Discipline?" Adrian’s voice cracked, but he didn’t back down. "Discipline or punishment? I was a child, and all I wanted was your approval. But you crushed that hope, again and again."

"Are you finished with your little speech?" Wuner scoffed, as if Adrian’s words hadn’t affected him at all. "I thought you’d grown up, Adrian, but you’re still as soft and foolish as you were back then."

Adrian’s hands shook, but he steadied his breathing, his voice dropping to a dangerous calm. "I’m coming to Hudel Manor, Wuner. I’m going to clear everything between us, once and for all. Prepare yourself."

Before Wuner could reply, Adrian ended the call. The phone slipped from his hands as he slid down the wall, burying his face in his hands. Tremors shook his body as memories flooded back, each one cutting deeper than the last.

He remembered the isolation, the coldness of that dark room, the way he had waited endlessly for even a hint of warmth or kindness. How he had prayed for Wuner’s approval, even as a child, always wondering if something was wrong with him.

"I was just a child... I just wanted a family..." he whispered, his voice muffled against his hands.

But there was no one there to comfort him now, just as there hadn’t been anyone then. He was alone with the shadows of his past, choking on the memories he’d tried to bury but could never forget.

--

Savas strolled into the police station, scanning the room until he spotted Argo sitting at his desk, rifling through a stack of papers. Argo looked up, brows furrowing as he saw Savas approach with a slim file in hand.

Savas dropped the file on the desk with a smirk. "Here. Thought you might find this interesting."

Argo raised an eyebrow, picking up the file. "And what’s this supposed to be?"

"Location of one of Jiute Organization’s hideouts." Savas crossed his arms, watching as Argo flipped through the document.

Argo looked up, clearly suspicious. "What’s the meaning of this, Savas?"

Savas shrugged, a lazy grin spreading across his face. "Just thought I’d help out, but I’ll be honest—the tea here is awful. I can barely stand the smell."

Argo snorted. "Then go make it yourself if it’s so bad. Or better yet, just don’t drink it."

Savas rolled his eyes, leaning against Argo’s desk. "That’s not the solution, Argo. A police station should have at least decent tea, don’t you think?"

Argo tapped the file, drawing Savas’s attention back. "So, what’s the deal with this Jiute Organization? Who do they work for?"

"Ah, now you’re asking me?" Savas raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn’t that be your job? You know, police and all."

Argo gave him a look. "Don’t play coy with me, Savas. You obviously know more than you’re letting on."

Savas chuckled, shaking his head. "Fine, fine. I know enough to say that they’re trouble. Dangerous, unpredictable. But as for who they work for... I wouldn’t know. Aren’t you supposed to be the detective here?"

Argo frowned, glancing back at the file. "You expect us to catch them when we don’t even know their motives?"

"Now you’re catching on," Savas said, sounding amused. "Think of it as a challenge."

"Challenge?" Argo’s tone was dry. "We’re not playing a game here, Savas."

"Oh, but aren’t we?" Savas leaned in, his voice dropping. "This whole thing is tied to that research lab the Special Forces are so keen on finding. Jiute’s involved somehow."

Argo’s eyes narrowed. "The research lab? The same one everyone’s been hunting for months?"

"Precisely," Savas said, crossing his arms. "Looks like Jiute’s closer to it than anyone else."

Argo sighed, frustration creeping into his voice. "And you’re just handing this over to us, no strings attached?"

"Consider it a favor," Savas said with a shrug. "But don’t think it’s going to be easy. Jiute knows how to cover their tracks."

Argo nodded slowly, considering his words. "And what’s in it for you, Savas?"

Savas smirked. "Let’s just say... I have my reasons."

Argo leaned back, studying him. "You always do."

Savas glanced around the police station, wrinkling his nose. "Seriously though, Argo. The tea situation here? Absolutely tragic."

Argo rolled his eyes. "And you think that’s my problem?"

"Well, considering I’m here doing your job, it kind of is," Savas shot back.

Argo couldn’t help but chuckle. "I’m not here to serve your tastes. You want better tea, go to a café."

Savas grinned. "Or, I could just stick around here and let you take care of it."

Argo sighed, closing the file and pushing it back toward Savas. "Let me guess—you’d make the tea yourself if I took on this Jiute case for you?"

Savas grinned wider. "Now you’re getting it. I’ll even throw in some biscuits."

Argo shook his head, chuckling despite himself. "I’ll keep that in mind. But if this lead is a dead end, you owe me a week’s worth of decent tea."

Savas held out his hand, smirking. "Deal."

--

As they sat together in the living room, Adrian glanced over at Ethan, a soft smile on his face. "Ethan, Wuner called me this morning."

Ethan’s expression shifted, his brows knitting in concern. "Did he say something bad to you?"

Adrian shook his head, chuckling slightly. "No, nothing like that. He just... reminded me of a few things. But I want to go to Hudel Mansion later to settle things."

Ethan looked at him thoughtfully. "Then I’ll go with you. I don’t want you facing him alone."

Adrian’s eyes softened. "Thank you, Ethan. I’d feel better with you there."

Ethan gently pulled Adrian closer, tracing his thumb along Adrian’s cheek. "You never have to face anything alone, you know that, right?"

Adrian’s lips curled up. "I know. But sometimes, I still get surprised by how caring you are. It’s... new."

Ethan smirked, leaning in a little. "And you’re still not used to it?"

Adrian’s cheeks turned slightly pink. "Well, maybe not entirely," he admitted, his gaze darting away.

Ethan tilted Adrian’s chin up so he could look into his eyes. "Good. Because that means I get to keep surprising you."

Adrian laughed softly, his hands resting on Ethan’s. "If you keep going like this, I’ll probably be blushing forever."

Ethan leaned closer, his voice barely a whisper. "That’s the plan."

Adrian’s breath hitched as Ethan’s lips brushed against his. "You’re too good at this, you know?"

Ethan grinned. "Only when it’s with you."

Adrian closed his eyes, leaning into the kiss. When they pulled away, he smiled. "You make me forget about everything else."

"Then let me keep doing that," Ethan murmured, his arms wrapping around Adrian. "You deserve some peace, Adrian."

Adrian sighed contentedly, resting his head on Ethan’s shoulder. "With you, I finally feel like I have a home."

Ethan kissed his forehead. "You are my home, Adrian. And I’ll keep reminding you of that every day."

As Adrian and Ethan held each other, they were startled by the sound of someone clearing their throat. They turned to see Augustin standing in the doorway, arms crossed and a smirk on his face.

"Am I interrupting something?" Augustin asked, raising an eyebrow.

Adrian’s face turned red instantly. "A-Augustin, I didn’t realize you were here."

Ethan shifted, a bit flustered himself. "You... could’ve knocked, you know."

Augustin chuckled. "I did, several times. But you two were... a bit preoccupied."

Adrian glanced away, hiding his face. "We... uh, we didn’t hear you."

Augustin shook his head, amused. "Clearly. Anyway, I just came to say dinner’s ready, but maybe you two need a few more minutes?"

Ethan coughed, trying to compose himself. "We’ll be down in a minute."

Augustin grinned, giving Adrian a wink. "Don’t blush too much, Adrian. I’m used to the lovey-dovey scenes by now."

Adrian’s blush only deepened. "You’re making it worse, Augustin."

"That’s the idea," Augustin teased before heading out of the room with a laugh.

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