Chapter 25: The fourth witness

Chapter 25: The fourth witness


Adrian’s POV

As I passed through the hallway, I scribbled something quickly on a sticky note:
Meet me at the rooftop.

I slipped it into the hand of Rosa —Gloria’s friend—as I walked past her. There was no way I was going to stand beside her in public and risk people getting the wrong idea. The last thing I needed was for rumors to start about me being in any kind of relationship.

I told Kade and Lucien I’d be right back and made my way up to the rooftop alone.

The sky was dull and grey, the sun hiding behind thick clouds. A few minutes later, Rosa stepped out through the only door that led up. Her face was pale, her eyes looking around as if someone might be watching.

“So,” I said coldly, as I blinked, “what do you know?”

“Nothing,” she responded too quickly, with a tight voice. “I already wrote everything down. You saw it, right?” Her words spilled out fast, like she was scared she might say too much.

I exhaled slowly, deciding not to push too hard yet.

“Come on, Rosa,” I said more gently, forcing a calm smile. “You’re hiding something. I can see it on your face.”

She hesitated, eyes welling up, then broke into tears. I blinked, taken aback, unsure if I’d gone too far.

I stepped forward and placed my hands gently on her shoulders. “Please. Just talk to me.”

She trembled. “Adrian… promise me. If I say it… I won’t die?”

My stomach twisted. This—this—was proof. Everyone feared Elena. But I only needed one solid piece of evidence that she pushed Gloria into that pool. One. Then I’d finally have what I needed to end the engagement. I wasn’t going to spend the rest of my life tied to a murderer.

“I promise,” I said gently. “No one’s going to hurt you.”

She sniffled, then whispered, “Elena came that day.”

I nodded for her to go on.

“Gloria was threatening her with something on her phone, but Elena just scoffed and walked away.”

I frowned. That didn’t sound like Gloria. And if Rosa hadn’t been Gloria’s friend, I’d assume Elena put those words in her mouth.

“But Elena came back,” she added, her voice low. “She returned a few seconds later, looked Gloria in the eye and said, ‘Do your worst.’ Then she turned and left again.”

I watched Rosa wipe a tear off her cheek, her hands shaking.

“A few minutes later, Bella stormed in,” she continued. “She slapped Gloria across the face. She was yelling—telling her not to try that again—and then she left. But Gloria… she just stayed there, like she was waiting for someone.”

I held my breath.

“That’s when Lucas walked in.”

Her voice faltered.

“What happened?” I asked, my voice low and serious. “Relax. Just tell me.”

“They argued. He looked angry. They were shouting. Then…” she swallowed hard, “…he pushed her. I saw her stumble back, fighting to keep her balance, but she went under and I froze. I—I couldn’t believe it.”

She paused, then whispered, ““Then Lucas turned and saw me. He came rushing in my direction, he said if I told anyone, he’d kill me. Kill my family, that’s why I had been silent for two months now.”

My fists clenched as rage shot through me. I stared at her, eyes narrowing.

“I’m sorry,” she cried, “I didn’t mean to—”

But I was already walking away, fury burning in my veins.



That evening, I stood in a crisp black tuxedo, holding a glass of champagne, Waiters weaved through glittering crowds with trays of champagne, and everywhere I turned, there were polished shoes, rehearsed smiles, and empty laughter echoing off marble walls.

My father moved beside me like a politician on a campaign trail, shaking hands with media moguls and oil executives, while I stared blankly ahead, my mind still on the rooftop.

“Mr. Brainard,” my father said, as he walked towards a media CEO.

“Mr. Beaumont,” the man grinned, shaking his hand. “And this must be your son—”

“Yes. Adrian,” my father interrupted, patting my back like I was a trophy. I offered a slight nod, my mind miles away.

Then I saw Lucas, across the room, dressed like a saint, laughing like nothing in the world had happened. My hands tightened around the glass.

“Excuse me,” I said shortly, and started walking toward him.

“Lucas,” I called.

He turned, startled. “Hey, man. What’s up?” He extended his hand for a shake.

I didn’t take it.

“What’s your relationship with Gloria?” I asked flatly.

His eyes shifted. “What are you talking about?”

“You heard me.”

He looked nervous now. “I mean… yeah, I met her at the pool that day. But I didn’t push her!”

“What happened, Lucas?” I snapped. “What the hell happened that day?”

He looked down, voice suddenly softer. “I’m going to be honest, man. I loved her.”

My chest tensed. “Wait—were you the secret boyfriend?”

“I loved her,” he repeated, as he dropped his eyes. “But we kept it quiet because of her status.”

My voice grew sharper. “Then why did you kill her?”

“I didn’t!” he shouted. “That day… she said she wanted to end things. That she had feelings for someone else. I was furious—I left! I swear to you, Adrian, I didn’t push her. I would never hurt someone I loved.”

He grabbed a glass from a tray and downed it in one gulp, his hands trembling.

I stared at him, confused, watching the guilt in his expression mix with raw pain. Something didn’t add up.

If Lucas didn’t push her, then who did?

I turned and walked away, pulling my phone out as I stepped into the hallway. I dialed immediately.

“There’s a fourth person,” I said into the phone. “Expand your search. I want surveillance, phone logs—everything.”

“Yes, sir,” my private investigator responded quickly.

I ended the call and leaned against the cold wall, my mind spinning. My gut said I was missing something… or someone.

And if it wasn’t Lucas…
Then who the hell was it?