Chapter 279

Chapter 279

Edward didn't answer. He just walked out.

When did he find out?

About two years ago, he had accidentally overheard a conversation between Rupert and the butler. That was when he learned that Rupert had gone to see Adeline. No one knew what Rupert had said to her, but after that, Adeline had "left." He had never believed she would kill herself.

When he returned to the room, Adeline was already asleep. Edward sat by the bed, looking at her sleeping face. His gaze fell on the nightstand, where a small box held the USB drive. Adeline treasured it. He was curious about what was on it.

"You're back." Adeline said, opening her eyes and rubbing her forehead. Her voice was a little stuffy, which made Edward frown. "Are you catching a cold?"

Adeline shook her head. "I don't think so. I'm fine. I didn't bring my laptop with me. Can I borrow yours?"

"Of course. I'll get it for you." Edward brought over his laptop. Knowing she was going to check the USB drive, he turned to leave, closing the door behind him. "Call me if you need anything."

Adeline plugged the USB drive into the port. There was a folder with a single audio file. She put on her headphones and pressed play.

"Why did you screw me over like this?" It was Jeremy's voice, filled with anger and accusation.

"I didn't mean to screw you over. You can only blame yourself for being unlucky."

It was Leon. Adeline knew that voice well. Jeremy's partnership with the Davis family had been a long one. Leon had been in and out of her house countless times.

"You knew how important this project was to me! I partnered with you because I trusted you!" Jeremy's voice was trembling with barely suppressed rage. "But how could you do this to me? You wanted me to go bankrupt. You were just playing with me!"

In contrast to Jeremy's fury, Leon's voice was as calm as a stagnant pool of water. "Instead of wasting your time arguing with me, you should be thinking about how to save your company. Transfer some assets before you go bankrupt, so your family doesn't end up on the street."

"Leon! Don't think I don't know whose side you're on. Mr. Rupert Thomas has been good to you. You do whatever he says. But don't forget, he can swallow my company today, and he can swallow your group tomorrow. You're just a tool to him!"

"As long as I have value, even as a tool, I can profit. I'm not like you, foolishly refusing his offer. If you had accepted Mr. Thomas's offer back then, I would be the one standing here fuming. Too bad…" Jeremy had refused flat out. So Rupert had gone to the more cooperative Leon.

"Leon, don't be so smug. I won't let you get away with this!"

Adeline had never heard such a twisted tone in Jeremy's voice. Her heart began to race. She had a bad feeling. The next thing she heard was Leon's panicked voice.

"What are you doing? Are you crazy?"

"I'm going to make you pay."

That was Jeremy's last sentence, followed by a distant, muffled thud.

Everything stopped. The recording ended.

Adeline sat stunned in front of the computer. She had never imagined that Rupert was the mastermind behind it all. But why had he adopted Edward? Was it out of guilt? No, impossible. If he felt guilty, he wouldn't have pushed Jeremy and Leon to their limits… Adeline's mind was a mess. She couldn't think straight.

A knock on the door. Edward's voice. "Adeline, time for dinner."

Adeline instinctively pulled out the USB drive, shut down the computer, and tucked the drive into the crevice of a sofa cushion. She got up and opened the door. "I'm not very hungry. I don't want to go down… or maybe you can have them send it to the room."

Edward frowned. "Are you not feeling well? Should we go to the hospital?"

"I'm fine, just no appetite." Adeline's mind was in turmoil. She couldn't meet his gaze.

Edward stared at her, his eyes drifting over her shoulder to the laptop on the coffee table. "Are you done with the computer?"

"Yes." Adeline answered instinctively. Then she remembered she had only listened to the recording and hadn't transferred it to her phone. "Wait a minute, I'll get it for you right now." she said hastily. She turned and closed the door.

Edward frowned at the closed door.

Inside, Adeline quickly plugged the USB drive back in, transferred the audio file to her phone, deleted the browsing history, and shut down the computer. She opened the door and handed him the laptop. "I'm done. Thank you."

Edward nodded. "I'll have the restaurant send something up for you later. Get some rest. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay."

Edward glanced at the computer before turning to leave.

Back in his room, he took a call from Aaron. "Reed is being stubborn. He keeps saying it was just a robbery, nothing else. He says he doesn't know what's on the USB drive."

"Keep an eye on him. Don't let him out of the station. And let me know if anyone tries to contact him."

"Okay."

After hanging up, Edward opened his laptop. The file browser looked normal, just his company files and personal files. He took out his phone, about to send a message.

[Help me check a computer…]

He deleted it before sending. Forget it. Adeline didn't want to talk about it, and he didn't want to force her. He closed the laptop and went downstairs to the restaurant.

In the quiet room, time passed slowly. About ten minutes later, the door was gently pushed open. Rupert walked in.

"Edward?"

No one answered. Rupert stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him.

Edward brought dinner to Adeline's room, and they ate together. Adeline had only a few bites before putting down her fork. She received a call from Orla.

"Adeline, check your email. I sent you the schedule for your upcoming events, and the information on the advertisers and potential buyers for your work. A lot of people have made offers. I think you should take a look."

"I'm out of town. I might not be able to handle it right now." Adeline had left in a hurry and hadn't brought her laptop.

"You can use my computer," Edward said, taking a bite of his food. "I'm done with my work anyway."

"Okay, I'll look at it later." Adeline said.

After dinner, they left for Edward's room. As they were leaving, Edward, worried, draped a thick coat over her. The long coat was warm. "Thank you." Adeline said.

"Still being so polite with me?" Edward took her hand and they walked on.

Adeline didn't refuse. If all of this was true, their already impossible relationship was now completely doomed. Edward silently squeezed her hand.

At his door, he took out his key card and swiped it. Suddenly, they heard a noise from inside. It sounded like something falling to the floor.

Edward and Adeline looked at each other.

Someone was inside.