Chapter 16 

Late at night, Derick was jolted awake by the sound of rapid, ragged breathing. 

He pushed open the door to Adrianna’s bedroom and found her thrashing violently in bed. Her forehead was slick with cold sweat, lips trembling as she muttered fragmented words, “No… James… The car… 

Blood…” 

Frowning, Derick stepped closer. Just as he reached out to wake her, she suddenly cried out clearly,” Derick… Don’t look at me… Not like this… I look terrible…” 

His hand froze midair, pupils contracting sharply. 

Nothing in his memory matched this moment, but her words were far too vivid. 

Vivid enough to feel like a memory of something real. 

What truly unsettled him, though, was her tone. 

It was as if she had witnessed, with her own eyes, his arms around her dead body. 

Early the next morning, Derick sat in his study, a thick stack of investigation reports spread out before him. 

“We’ve confirmed it,” Yannick said, adjusting his glasses. “Ms. Quinnen’s behavior over the past six 

months has been completely out of character.” 

“And the strangest part?” He pointed to a page with a surveillance screenshot. “She abruptly pulled all her investments from James the day before his staged death plan went into motion.” 

Derick’s gaze darkened. “Go on.” 

“There’s also this,” Yannick added, presenting a set of medical records. “Three months ago, Ms. Quinnen had a high fever spiking to 40°C. And the moment she woke up, the first thing she did was send someone 

to Swarenthia to find you.” 

Derick’s knuckles tapped against the desk, the rhythm growing faster. 

Every clue pointed to a conclusion that bordered on the impossible. 

The current Adrianna seemed to know the future. 

He closed the file. “Look into the background of that anonymous fund registered under Adrianna’s name.” 

Adrianna swept in wearing a flowing gown at the charity gala, her arm gracefully linked with Derick’s. 

She noticed it right away. Derick was unusually quiet tonight. 

His fingertips absently traced the rim of his wine glass, a familiar habit when he was lost in thought. 

“What’s wrong, Mr. Ashford? Something on your mind?” she asked gently. 

Chapter 16 

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Derick suddenly turned to her. “Do you remember the bet we made when we were ten?” 

Adrianna didn’t miss a beat. “You lost and promised to wear a skirt to school. Mr. Graham beat you so badly you couldn’t get out of bed for three days.” 

She chuckled, then added, “That silver ring I gave you? That was the wager.” 

Derick’s eyes flickered, but he pressed on. “Then do you know why I went abroad?” 

“Because I told you I didn’t want to see you a year ago. But the real reason you left was-” Adrianna stopped mid-sentence, her voice faltering as Derick’s gaze turned razor-sharp. 

The air turned to ice. 

“Adrianna,” Derick set down his wine glass, his voice low and meant only for her, “I’ve never told anyone the real reason I left the country.” 

He stepped closer. “Who are you?” 

The night wind swept by on the terrace, carrying the faint scent of flowers. 

Adrianna’s fingers tightened around the railing, a wave of panic surging through her for the first time since her rebirth. 

Derick stood in the shadows, the moonlight illuminating only half his face, sharpening his features into something almost severe. 

“What if I told you…” She drew in a shaky breath. “That I’ve died once already. Would you believe me?” 

Over the next 20 minutes, Adrianna laid bare every detail of the betrayal, the pain, and the death that ended her last life. 

When she reached the night of the car crash, her voice began to tremble uncontrollably. 

“All four of them were standing right across the street… Just watching me bleed out…” 

Derick’s expression shifted, the initial shock giving way to a tangle of conflicting emotions. 

And when Adrianna told him he was the one who found her body, his knuckles went white from how tightly he clenched his hands. 

Silence settled heavily between them. 

“So, you chose me out of guilt?” Derick asked suddenly, his voice cold as ice. “Because you saw me lay you to rest? And decided I deserved compensation?” 

Adrianna’s head snapped up. “No! That’s not it! I truly-” 

“Enough,” Derick cut her off. “I need time to think about us.” 

He turned and walked toward the door, his posture stiff. “For the time being… Let’s not see each other.” 

Chapter 16 

Adrianna stood alone on the terrace, her fingertips digging into her palm. 

She should’ve seen this coming. 

Derick was far too proud. How could he ever accept a love born out of guilt? 

Laughter from the house drifted onto the terrace, threaded with James’ smug voice. 

“Looks like Mr. Ashford and Ms. Quinnen have finally fallen out…” 

Adrianna wiped the corner of her eye and squared her shoulders. 

Just as she turned to leave, her phone buzzed. 

“Swarenthian bank account has been activated.” 

“Ownership of your three mining assets has been reinstated.” 

Then came a message from an unknown number: “We’re even.” 

Adrianna halted in her tracks. 

What was that supposed to mean? Settled in money? 

Or was he planning to settle everything between them next? 

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