Chapter 8: A Deadly Banquet, No Choice But to Attend Editor: Henyee Translations

Adrian Preston heard her and actually turned around.

Mia Kane stared intently at his shoulder. No wound! So, she really was overthinking things.

Mia Kane breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn’t Adrian Preston, it was fine. But a moment later, she held her breath again.

What else had she seen?

She saw everything—things she should have seen and things she definitely shouldn’t have. She raised her head stiffly and met Adrian Preston’s gaze. The man’s eyes were unnervingly bright.

I’m so dead, thought Mia.

Mia Kane’s first instinct was to flee, but Adrian Preston was faster. He snatched a bathrobe, threw it on, and crossed the distance in a few long strides. He caught up to Mia, grabbed the nape of her neck, and dragged her back into the bathroom. "You were peeking at me in the shower?"

Mia Kane immediately shook her head. "No, no, it’s not like that! Let me explain. It was a misunderstanding. I was sleepwalking... That’s right, I’m a sleepwalker..."

Mia Kane couldn’t go on. Adrian Preston’s amused expression made her want to find a hole and crawl into it. What nonsense was she spouting? Who would even believe that?

"Having second thoughts? Decided you want something to happen between us after all?"

Adrian Preston’s hand on her waist slowly tightened, the pressure making her heart skip a beat. His intense gaze and hot breath made her heart pound uncontrollably.

His hand roamed, lifting the hem of her shirt. It slid over her waist, touching her delicate, fair skin as it traveled upward.

Just as he was about to cup her breast, Mia Kane was suddenly hit by the memory of that terrifying night. She didn’t know where the strength came from, but she shoved Adrian Preston away forcefully and cowered in the corner.

"Don’t touch me! Please, don’t touch me... Chase... save me..."

She instinctively called out Chase Lockwood’s name.

Soon, she realized she wasn’t in the hands of kidnappers. She was safe. And Chase Lockwood would never come to save her.

Just as she was lost in a daze, a cold voice came from above.

"Since your heart is clearly still with another man, I won’t touch you. I’m above that. Don’t provoke me again. Get out!"

Mia Kane fled in a panic, like a startled rabbit.

Adrian Preston’s breathing was ragged. He turned on the shower, letting the cold water douse his body and extinguish the fire within him.

Mia Kane returned to her room and burrowed under the covers, her body trembling violently. She was scared, her mind replaying that terrifying experience.

She was also angry with herself for still thinking of Chase Lockwood. He was, after all, the man she had loved deeply for three years. She had given him her heart and soul, her everything, only to be met with such a heartless end.

She kept telling herself not to think about that scumbag anymore. He wasn’t worth it.

One can look back at the past, but she absolutely could not go back.

Men can’t be trusted. The only person I can rely on is myself!

That night, Mia Kane slept poorly, drifting in and out of a groggy sleep.

When she got up the next day, she worried Adrian Preston would still be angry about the previous night, but she was completely overthinking it.

Adrian Preston’s tone was perfectly normal, as if nothing had happened, which made her feel slightly more at ease. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

...

On a weekend night, Chase Lockwood invited Adrian Preston to the Ambrosia Club for drinks. He brought Vivian Lynch, and the others had either brought dates or hired escorts from the club. In short, no one came alone.

Only Adrian Preston sat aloof in a corner, drinking juice by himself.

"Preston, you should get a girl, too. Just for drinks, it’s not like you’re breaking any rules. It’ll be fine."

Since Adrian Preston used to be a cop, he’d only have a few girls join for drinks at casual get-togethers with friends. Under his watchful eye, the crowd wouldn’t dare step out of line.

Even now that he had returned to take over the family business and had cut all ties with the police force, Adrian Preston still wouldn’t mess around.

"No, thanks."

"Alright, alright, stop trying. Preston is just like that. He doesn’t mess around."

The others paid him no mind and went back to their drinking and carousing.

One of them brought up Mia Kane.

"Hey, Chase, remember that one time at a party? You said you wanted to see her, and Mia Kane rushed right over. I remember it was pouring that day. She was a drowned rat when she got here."

"Oh yeah! When it comes to simps, Mia Kane is in a league of her own."

"That happened? I missed the last party. Hey, Chase, how about you show off some of that charm again?"

A smirk played on Chase Lockwood’s lips. "I have Vivian now. Let’s not make these kinds of jokes."

Vivian Lynch said in a soft, gentle voice, "Chase, you should call her. I’d like to bury the hatchet with her. The more the merrier, and it’ll help us all get along."

"Yeah, Chase, just call her! Preston hasn’t met her. Let him see how Argent’s number one simp fawns all over you."

With Chase Lockwood’s cronies all egging him on and Vivian Lynch putting on a magnanimous front, constantly urging him, Chase Lockwood picked up his phone and called Mia Kane.

"We’re sorry, the number you have dialed is not available at this moment. Please try again later..."

The smirk on Chase Lockwood’s face slowly vanished.

"What’s wrong? Is she not picking up?" Vivian Lynch asked, confused.

Chase Lockwood didn’t answer. His expression cold, he tried again, but was met with the same automated female voice.

Mia Kane blocked him!

He sent her a message, only to see the red exclamation mark indicating he’d been blocked.

The atmosphere in the private room suddenly turned icy.

Chase Lockwood’s face was a thundercloud. The others quickly tried to laugh it off and change the subject.

From his corner, Adrian Preston calmly took a sip of his juice. Looks like that girl is dead set on cutting ties with Chase Lockwood, he thought. He was pleased with this outcome.

Chase Lockwood snatched Vivian Lynch’s phone and sent a text to Mia Kane: Mia Kane, come to the Ambrosia Club right now.

Mia Kane was just about to get into bed when she saw the text and froze. Her first thought was Chase Lockwood, as it was a place he often frequented for drinks.

She had no intention of responding, but then another message came through: The Peace Pendant your grandmother left you is still with me. If you don’t come, it’s gone.

Mia Kane immediately climbed out of bed.

The Peace Pendant!

Her grandmother had doted on her since she was little. After she passed, she gave Mia the Peace Pendant she always wore, saying it would keep her safe and ward off evil.

She had always worn it. Later, Chase Lockwood had an accident and nearly died.

She gave the Peace Pendant to him, hoping her grandmother’s spirit in heaven would watch over her future grandson-in-law and keep him safe and healthy.

She had taken all of her personal belongings from Lockwood Manor, but she’d forgotten about the Peace Pendant he wore around his neck.

It was hers. She had to get it back.

Mia: I hope you keep your word.

She replied to the text, then got in her car and drove to the club.

Arriving at this place again, her heart began to pound. This was where she’d seen Chase Lockwood’s true colors. What would she have to face this time?

She reached the private room and pushed the door open.

The people inside started whistling.

"Chase, you’re really something else! She actually came? That’s your charm at work!"

"The number one simp, a well-deserved reputation."

"She already knows she was just a substitute, and she still comes running. Chase, how do you do it?"

The ugly, harsh words pierced her heart. Her face paled, but she forced herself to remain composed. She scanned the crowd, and finally her gaze met Adrian Preston’s.

Adrian Preston’s eyes were glacial, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Chase Lockwood, give it to me..." she said, getting straight to the point.

"Sit down," Chase Lockwood ordered. "Have a few drinks with everyone, and then we’ll talk."

Mia Kane knew it wouldn’t be that easy to get the Peace Pendant back. "Are you sure?"

"I keep my word."

Mia Kane glanced around the room, then walked straight toward Adrian Preston. "Sir, you don’t have a date? How about me?"