Adrian's grip tightened around Riley's wrist, firm and unyielding. His other hand settled at her waist, pulling her closer.
The distance between them vanished.
His warm breath brushed against her brow, leaving her nowhere to escape.
"Little fool… where did you run off to?"
Riley's eyes widened.
Did he recognize me?
Behind her, Zachary shot her a look that clearly said good luck, you're on your own. Still, trying to act loyal, he stammered, "Bro, you've got the wrong person. This isn't your little fool… this is Miss Sheena. Th-this position isn't appropriate. Let her go."
Adrian turned his head sharply.
Those blood-red eyes locked onto Zachary like he was already dead.
Zachary felt a chill crawl down his spine. "I—I was wrong! She is the one you're looking for! I'll… I'll go stand guard for you!"
And just like that, he bolted.
Riley sucked in a breath.
Coward!
She forced herself to stay calm. "Adrian, you've mistaken me. I'm not—"
He didn't respond.
Instead, he reached up and tore off her mask.
His narrow eyes flickered—red fading, confusion surfacing—only to darken again with rising fury.
Riley's heart clenched.
She couldn't read him at all.
Not like this.
"Why did you leave me?"
His fingers brushed her cheek, his voice cold and sharp.
Goosebumps erupted across her skin.
"I didn't," she said quickly, forcing steadiness into her voice. "I went out for a consultation. I didn't leave."
Is he… mistaking me for someone else?
What kind of messed-up situation is this…
"Do you know I searched for you all night?"
The violence surged back into him.
His hand shot to her throat.
Those blood-red eyes churned, unstable, dangerous. His body swayed slightly, like he was fighting something inside himself.
Riley's breath hitched.
Her blood seemed to run backward.
"Y-you… were looking for me?"
Before he could answer—
His body suddenly faltered.
THUD!
He collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
The pressure around her throat vanished instantly.
Riley dropped to the floor, gasping for air.
She had been seconds away from death.
Her neck still throbbed where he'd gripped it.
After catching her breath, she crawled over to him.
His face was pale—deathly pale. Not a trace of color remained. A chilling aura clung to him, not just cold, but eerily lifeless… like something that didn't belong among the living.
She couldn't feel any vitality from him at all.
"Adrian!"
Her shout echoed through the house.
Zachary rushed upstairs, only to freeze at the sight.
He had seen Adrian lose control before.
But never like this.
His skin looked almost translucent.
"Call everyone—now!" Riley snapped.
Zachary immediately dialed for backup.
Within minutes, several people arrived. Together, they carried Adrian onto the bed.
Around them, the household moved with eerie efficiency.
Servants emerged quietly from their rooms, cleaning, restoring order, as if nothing had happened.
Like this was routine.
Meanwhile, Riley began emergency treatment.
Zachary called in another team of doctors. Soon, the room filled with medical staff surrounding Adrian.
This time, Riley had witnessed everything firsthand.
And suddenly, a memory surfaced—
Three years ago, on the streets of Malacca.
That man she had saved…
Adrian.
Back then, he had already been on the verge of collapse.
So it wasn't that he fainted the moment the illness struck…
He had already gone through an episode… before losing consciousness.