Chapter 46: The Truth Buried in Shadows

A Meeting with the Devil

Adrian stepped into Wolfe Manor with the confidence of a man who never lost a battle. The grand, gothic estate was draped in opulence—dark marble floors, dim golden lighting, and walls lined with centuries of power and deception.

His gut told him this wasn't just about Damian Wolfe anymore.

Something deeper was at play.

The butler led him through the vast halls, past eerie, watchful portraits, before stopping in front of heavy oak doors.

Adrian expected to find Damian.

Instead, sitting in an armchair like he owned the place, was Liam Carter.

Ella's ex.

The sight of him sent a slow wave of heat through Adrian's veins.

Liam's smirk was almost lazy as he swirled whiskey in his glass. "Blackwood," he greeted smoothly. "Took you long enough."

Adrian didn't bother sitting. His jaw tightened as he scanned the room, taking in the empty decanter, the untouched second glass on the table—a staged meeting.

A trap.

"Where's Wolfe?" Adrian's voice was low, controlled.

Liam chuckled. "He's testing the waters, letting me handle the introductions."

"I don't have time for introductions."

Adrian's icy glare should have been enough to make any man squirm, but Liam? He looked entertained.

"Relax," Liam said. "We're just two men discussing a mutual interest."

Adrian's fingers curled into fists. "Ella is not a business deal."

Liam grinned. "That's what makes this interesting."

Adrian's temper cracked. "Say what you need to say before I throw you through that window."

Liam leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Something flickered behind his eyes.

Something dark.

"She doesn't know the truth, does she?"

The room went silent.

A slow, cold dread crept over Adrian.

"What truth?"

Liam exhaled, studying him for a long moment. Then, in a voice laced with something too close to regret, he said:

"I never left Ella because I wanted to."

Adrian's entire body went rigid.

Liam's voice dropped lower. "I was forced to."

Adrian's mind raced. Forced? By who?

"What the hell are you talking about?" Adrian demanded.

Liam leaned back, running a hand through his hair. His smirk was gone, replaced by something more raw.

"I made a mistake," he admitted. "I uncovered something—something about Ella, about her family. And when I tried to tell her… they came for me."

Adrian's stomach tightened.

They.

This wasn't just about an old breakup. This was bigger.

And the way Liam was looking at him now—**like he was trying to warn him—**set off every alarm in Adrian's head.

"Who are 'they'?" Adrian asked, his voice deathly calm.

Liam hesitated. That hesitation told Adrian everything.

"You're afraid of them," Adrian said slowly.

Liam's jaw clenched.

"You think you're protecting her," Liam muttered. "But you don't even know what you're up against."

Adrian stepped forward, towering over him. "Then start talking."

Liam sighed. "It won't matter. If I say too much, they'll know."

Adrian's blood ran cold.

This was serious.

More serious than a bitter ex, more serious than business rivalries.

Liam ran a hand down his face. "Look, you may think you have all the power in the world, but trust me—you don't. Not against them."

Adrian's patience snapped. "Who. Are. They?"

Liam exhaled, staring at him for a long, long moment. Then, finally, he said:

"The people who made her disappear once."

A Truth Too Big to Ignore

Adrian left Wolfe Manor with more questions than answers.

His driver was silent as they pulled away from the estate, but Adrian's mind was a storm.

He had suspected for a while now that Ella was hiding something. But this?

This was far worse.

Liam's words haunted him.

The people who made her disappear once.

Did Ella even know?

Had she forgotten?

Or… had she been made to forget?

Adrian's hands tightened into fists.

He needed answers.

And there was only one person who could give them to him.

Back at the Penthouse

Ella was waiting when he arrived.

She stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, arms crossed, staring at the skyline.

When she turned, her expression was unreadable. "How did it go?"

Adrian didn't answer.

He was still processing.

He was still staring at her like she was a puzzle that had just changed shape in front of him.

Ella frowned. "What?"

Adrian took a slow step forward. "Why did Liam leave you?"

She froze.

His voice was low, quiet. "Did he ever tell you?"

Ella hesitated. "I—I don't know. He just… left."

Adrian studied her face. The confusion in her eyes. The genuine uncertainty.

And suddenly, he knew.

She didn't remember.

She had no idea.

Adrian's chest tightened. Someone had erased her past.

And now?

Now, Adrian needed to find out why.