Chapter 18 - ADRIAN’S BLOODThe hospital room became silent.
Victoria stared through the screen at Adrian as if seeing a ghost she had failed to bury properly.
“You’re lying,” she said.
Adrian looked fragile, but his voice did not.
“No.”
Victoria’s composure cracked.
Charles had hidden Adrian because he was sick.
The Ashfords had used him because his condition made him valuable.
But what they had not expected—what even Dr. Vale had hidden in his final notes—was that Adrian’s adult immune markers had stabilized after years of experimental treatment.
He was not just proof of the crime.
He was Lily’s best chance.
Victoria’s leverage evaporated in one breath.
Nathan watched her realize it.
He had seen board members lose fortunes with more grace.
Victoria’s face twisted.
“You think he can save her? He’s damaged.”
Adrian flinched, but Grace stepped forward.
“No,” she said. “He survived you.”
The call ended.
Within an hour, Adrian was tested.
Within two, the doctors confirmed compatibility.
Within four, Lily began treatment.
Grace stood at the observation window while Nathan remained beside her, close but not touching. They watched Adrian sit calmly as nurses prepared him.
He looked terrified.
Not of needles.
Of being needed.
Nathan entered the room and sat beside him.
“You don’t have to do this.”
Adrian looked through the glass at Lily.
“Yes, I do.”
“You don’t owe us anything.”
Adrian smiled faintly.
“I know.”
Nathan’s throat tightened.
Adrian continued, “That’s why I want to.”
Nathan looked at his brother.
There were so many apologies he wanted to make for things he had not done and still somehow benefited from.
Adrian seemed to understand.
“I don’t hate you,” he said.
Nathan closed his eyes.
“I don’t know how to live with that.”
“Start by living differently.”
The words stayed with Nathan.
Outside the room, Grace received a call from the detective.
Evelyn had been released.
Grace went cold.
On bail.
Medical grounds.
Too weak to remain in custody, her lawyers claimed.
But Evelyn Cole was not weak.
By evening, a statement appeared online.
Evelyn denied everything.
She claimed the broadcast had been edited. She claimed Nathan had suffered emotional instability after discovering a fraudulent child. She claimed Grace Bennett was part of an extortion ring tied to Samuel Reed.
Then came the final line.
For the protection of my son and our family legacy, I am petitioning the court to remove Nathan Cole from executive control.
Nathan read the statement beside Lily’s hospital bed.
Grace watched his face.
He did not explode.
He smiled.
It was colder than anger.
Richard entered moments later, holding another document.
“The board has called an emergency meeting.”
Nathan nodded.
“When?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
Grace looked at him.
“You can’t leave Lily.”
Nathan looked at his sleeping daughter.
Then at Adrian.
Then at Grace.
“I’m not leaving her.”
Richard frowned.
“Then how do you plan to stop your mother?”
Nathan straightened his cuffs.
“By bringing Lily to the boardroom.”
Grace stared.
May you like
“Nathan.”
“She owns the company,” he said quietly. “It’s time everyone met their chairman.”
