Chapter 77
The arena was finally given a brief pause, the organizers announcing a temporary recess while the inner rings were repaired and the next round prepared. Adrian stepped out of the ring slowly, his movements measured, his expression unreadable. The roar of the crowd still echoed behind him, but for the first time since the duel began, he allowed himself a moment to breathe.
Kai followed him a short distance, then stopped when Adrian lifted a hand slightly. “I’ll rest for a bit,” Adrian said quietly. “Stay close.”
Kai nodded. “Don’t push yourself too hard.”
Adrian moved toward a quieter corner reserved for participants, the noise dulling as thick barriers muffled the arena outside. He had just lowered himself onto a stone bench when familiar footsteps approached.
He didn’t need to look up to know who it was.
“Elena.”
Her name left his lips coldly, without warmth or surprise. He raised his eyes slowly, meeting hers with a guarded gaze.
Elena stood a few steps away, her expression conflicted. She hesitated before speaking. “Adrian… can we talk?”
His jaw tightened. “About what?” he asked flatly. “I don’t recall us having anything left to discuss.”
The hostility in his tone made her flinch, but she didn’t retreat. Instead, she took another step forward. “I just watched everything out there,” she said, her voice low. “What you did… it was unbelievable.”
He didn’t respond.
She continued, words spilling out as if she had held them in for too long. “All those years we were together, you acted fragile. You worked endlessly, quietly. You never once showed anything like this. And now you’re standing against twenty–one cultivators who are practically immortals. How was I supposed to know? Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
Adrian let out a soft, humorless laugh. “Tell you what, Elena? That the man you and your family looked down on every day wasn’t as weak as you believed?”
Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
“In all the years we were together,” he continued calmly, “you never asked who I really was. You only cared about what I could give, what I could endure, and how convenient I was.”
“That’s not true,” she said quickly. “I-”
He raised a hand, stopping her. “If you’re here to praise me, save it. If you’re here to apologize, then say it properly.”
Elena swallowed. Her eyes shimmered slightly. “I am sorry,” she said softly. “For everything. For my family. For believing them. For divorcing you.”
Adrian studied her face for a long moment, searching for something he no longer felt. “Why?” he asked finally. “Why are you sorry now?”
Before she could answer, hurried footsteps echoed behind her.
Lucas arrived first, his face flushed with excitement, followed closely by Margaret and Sophia. Their presence instantly shifted the atmosphere.
Lucas didn’t even look at Elena at first. He walked straight toward Adrian, a smug smile plastered on his face. “Adrian,” he said loudly, clearly intending to draw attention, “I’ve got good news.”
Chapter 77
+25 Bonus
Adrian leaned back slightly, folding his arms. “Do I look like I’m interested?”
Lucas ignored the remark. “The Cole Group accepted Elena’s proposal,” he announced triumphantly. “She’s been invited to join the company officially. They want her there tomorrow.”
Margaret beamed, clapping her hands lightly. “See? Everything is finally falling into place.”
Sophia crossed her arms, smirking. “If it weren’t for you causing such a scene today, this opportunity might’ve taken longer. In a way, you helped.”
Adrian’s lips curved into a faint smile–not angered, not wounded, but amused.
So that was it.
Inside, he let out a silent chuckle. He had told Miss Reyes to approve Elena’s proposal days ago, ensuring it would pass smoothly through the board. By the time the final signature was required, everything would already be locked in place. Even if Adrian himself appeared during the final approval stage, he wouldn’t be able to overturn it without drawing suspicion.
He watched Lucas closely, seeing through the performance instantly.
Lucas straightened his shoulders, clearly enjoying the moment. “You see,” he continued, turning slightly toward Elena, “this is what real progress looks like. Not reckless bravado. Not pointless pride.”
Adrian tilted his head. “You’re quite confident for someone who ran the moment the first cultivator descended into the arena.”
Lucas stiffened, his smile faltering for a split second.
Margaret scoffed. “Confidence doesn’t mean stupidity.”
Adrian’s gaze flicked briefly to Elena. “Is that what you came here to tell me?” he asked calmly. “That you’ve found your place?” Elena looked torn. “I didn’t know they were going to say that,” she said quietly. “I came because… because I was worried.”
“Worried?” Adrian repeated. “Or curious?”
She didn’t answer.
Adrian stood slowly, the air around him subtly shifting as he straightened to his full height. Even injured, even tired, his presence felt heavier than before.
“Let me make something clear,” he said evenly. “I don’t regret the past. If anything, it showed me exactly where I stood–and where I no longer belong.”
Lucas scoffed. “Still pretending to be above it all?”
Adrian’s eyes met his, sharp and unwavering. “No. I simply stopped pretending I was beneath you.”
>>
Silence followed.
Margaret opened her mouth to speak, but Adrian had already turned away. “Enjoy your victory,” he said over his shoulder. “It’s temporary.”
Lucas laughed nervously. “You really think you’ll walk out of this duel alive?”
Adrian paused, glancing back just once. “I don’t think,” he replied calmly. “I know.”
As he walked away, Elena remained rooted to the spot, watching his retreating figure. For the first time since the divorce, a painful realization settled in her chest.
The man she let go of was no longer someone she could reach.
Chapter 79
Chapter 79
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
