Chapter 163 Going Home

Chapter 163 Going Home
Adrian's POV

For the first time in a long while, I woke up without fear. No phone call dragged me out of bed. No bad news waited for me.

I don't feel fear that someone is trying to harm my family. The silence inside the room feel almost unfamiliar. I lay there staring at the ceiling for a long time, unable to move.

It is over.

The words echoes inside my head again.

It's over.

I can pass for the most relieved man. Free from worries

For so long, every day had revolved around surviving. Every decision I made was about protecting Hazel. Finding Camille. Ending everything she started.

Now there was nothing left to fight.

My chest doesn't tighten and my stomach does tie into knots as usual. Now that everything is over, what can I do now?

I slowly sit up and rub my face. The room look exactly the same as it had yesterday, yet everything has changed.

Camille is gone. There will be no more threats. No more games and no more running.

I let out a slow breath before reaching for my phone. The first picture that greets me is the one I took of Darcy and Hazel months ago.

Hazel had been laughing so hard that she almost fell off the couch. Darcy had reached out to catch her.

Neither of them knew I had taken the picture. I stare at it for several seconds.

Then smile not faintly but a full blown smile. At least, I'm at liberty to do so. Now I can afford it and it's the best feeling.

"I'm coming," I whisper. "But first, I need to finish this."

The police headquarters looks unusually quiet. The moment I step inside, the lead investigator stands to welcome me.

"Mr. Ashford." I shake his hand.

He gestures toward the chair opposite him. "Please."

I sit down and cross my legs. My gaze not leaving him. For a few seconds, neither of us says a word.

He opens a brown file before sliding it toward me. "The investigation has officially been concluded."

I lower my eyes to the documents. "Camille Carlton's criminal organization has been dismantled."

"Every identified member has either been arrested or is currently facing prosecution. The illegal assets have been seized."

"The remaining legitimate businesses will be transferred to government administrators until ownership is resolved." He pauses.

"The case is officially closed."

Closed.

Such a simple word.

Yet it carried the weight of years. He leans back in his chair. "You and your family are no longer considered under immediate threat."

Family.

Safe.

The two words settles heavily inside my chest. I had almost forgotten what safety feels like.

"I suppose..." I murmur. "...this is goodbye."

After leaving there, I head to back to the company in my gray Range Rover. Thirty minutes later, I arrive.

Ashford Group looks exactly as it has originally been.

Employees filled the lobby. Phones ring. Elevators open.and close. Business continues.

Yet the moment I step through the revolving doors, conversations gradually stop.

Several employees look toward me. Then someone claps. Another joins and soon the entire lobby filled with applause.

I frown. "What are they doing?"

Reynolds appears beside me with a small smile. "They're welcoming you back fully after a battle well fought."

I look around. Some people smile warmly. Others simply nod but many looks relieved.

Only then did I realize, I wasn't the only person who had been carrying this burden. Camille's shadow had stretch across this entire company.

It hasn't only affected me but everyone.

"Thank you." I smile faintly at them.

The applause slowly died down. "Let's get to work," I said.

The boardroom remained busy for almost the entire day. Files cover the conference table.

Reports.

Financial statements.

Promotion recommendations.

Security reviews.

One by one, I signed every document placed before me.

"This promotion has been pending for over a year."

"Approve it."

"The finance department needs restructuring."

"Do it."

"The regional manager has exceeded expectations."

"Increase his authority."

No hesitation.

No delay.

Every decision feels strangely easy. Almost as if I'd already made them long ago. Killian enters midway through the meeting.

"You asked to see me." And I nod.

"From today onward, Ashford worldwide corporate security reports directly to you." He blinks.

"Me?"

"Yes. The last time I checked, you want a job that gives you enough time to spend with your family and I trust you."

His expression softens before grinning.."I won't disappoint you."

"I know."

Not long after, Dylan entered. I hand him another file. "Cybersecurity. I want you overseeing every department."

His eyebrows lifted. "That's a huge responsibility." He gasps.

"Which is exactly why I'm giving it to you." He laughs quietly.

He blushes. "I've been promoted twice in one year."

"You earned it."

Finally Reynolds stepped forward. I slide another folder toward him. He frowns after reading the first page. "What is this?"

"Expanded executive authority." He looks up.

"You're giving me this much power?" He raises his eyebrows with jaw dropped.

"I need someone I trust."

He studies me for several seconds. Then asked quietly, "What are you planning?"

I smile. "Taking a break."

The room falls silent. Even Dylan stops writing. Killian stares openly. Reynolds removes his glasses.

"I'm sorry..."

"I don't think I heard you correctly."

I smirk. "You did. I'm taking a long vacation."

No one speaks.

Then Dylan laughs. "I'm sorry. I know this isn't the time but did Adrian Ashford just say the word vacation?"

Even I laughed. A genuine one. One I hadn't heard from myself in years.

"Yes. I did." I scratch the back of my head.

Two hours later, the board meeting that followed became even quieter.

One director finally cleared his throat. "Sir, does this mean you're resigning?"

I shake my head. "No. I'll always be part of Ashford Group. But not right now."

Another director frowns. "The shareholders may have concerns."

"They won't because I've already prepared everything." I pushed another document across the table.

"This names an Acting CEO."

The directors exchanged glances. "You've already chosen someone?"

I nod. "I have. He'll oversee operations until I return."

Reynolds stares at me. "You planned all this before today?"

"I started planning the moment Hazel opened her eyes in the hospital." Silence settles across the room.

I look around slowly. "For years, I convinced myself that this company needs me every single day."

I paused.

"The truth is my family needs me more."

No one argued. No one objected.

Because deep down, everyone knew I was right.

Six hours later, as I walked through the corridor carrying the box, several employees greet me.

"Good night, sir."

"Safe travels, sir."

"Enjoy your vacation."

Vacation.

The word still sound strange. Outside the building, I stop walking. I turn around one final time.

Ashford Group stands tall against the darkening sky.

For years, I've given everything I had to protect it. Sometimes at the cost of the people waiting for me at home.

I shake my head slowly. "No more."

The company will survive. It always had. It always would.

But Darcy...

Hazel...

They have waited long enough. I place the box inside my car before sliding behind the steering wheel.

For a brief moment, I simply sit there. Hands resting lightly against the wheel. The city lights reflect across the windshield.

My phone buzzes. A message from Maleek. Hazel asked when you're coming. I smile before typing only three words.

"Tell her soon." I start the engine. This time, I'm not driving toward another meeting.

Or another battle.

Or another investigation.

I'm driving toward the airport. Toward my family. Toward the life I'd almost lost.

This time, the road ahead no longer frightens me.

It finally feels like the beginning of something worth living for.