Chapter 3

After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister. There was no reason for him to stay any longer. *** Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.” Everyone burst out laughing. “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son. “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier. The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate. After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.” “What?” Harold was worried. He came and left? Why? He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?” “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged. Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break? “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face. “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in. Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!” *** Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home. The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless. “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around. Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.” Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death. Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life. “Where have you been?” Rue asked. Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future. Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.” Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them. “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room. “Adaline—” Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.” Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge. *** “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked. Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact. Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander. John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage. “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way. “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.” Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time. Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office. “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.” He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet. These seven years must have been hard for her. *** That night, at the Bailar Group. Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont. Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha. It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on. He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime. “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited. When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows. “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him. Adrian paused, then looked at them. They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards. “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied. The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.” Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha. “What do you mean?” Adrian asked. The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.” Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show? *** Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him. She was meeting a man so late at night? So much for Rue appreciating her. He took a deep breath and walked forward. “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry. They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in. But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground. “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.