Chapter 284

Adrian Valdemar was at his lowest point.

He walked mechanically toward the studio exit.

His phone rang abruptly. He answered without checking the caller ID.

Director Chen's artificially sweetened voice came through.

Adrian's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

What was this old woman scheming now?

Had she been plotting revenge since he humiliated her publicly?

The air around him turned icy.

Sophia Laurent immediately noticed the shift in his mood.

But the next second, Adrian suddenly laughed.

"Sure. Where?"

Hearing his agreement, Director Chen's face lit up with a smile.

"I'll book a private room right away. I'll text you the address later. You must come."

Her excitement was practically dripping through the phone.

Adrian's lips curled into a cold smirk, though his tone remained warm. "Count on it."

"Perfect! Tonight we'll talk things through. Let's put the past behind us. I promise to get you back on set."

A flash of mockery crossed Adrian's eyes. "How generous of you, Director Chen."

She hung up, thoroughly pleased, as if victory was already in her grasp.

What she didn't see was Adrian's terrifyingly dark expression.

Did she really think he was that naive?

Sophia frowned at the mention of "Director Chen."

"The director from Fleeting Love contacted you?"

Adrian shrugged. "Said it's a cast dinner."

Sophia grew more suspicious.

Why would they invite Adrian to a cast dinner?

The legal team had already sent a termination notice demanding a public apology.

This sudden invitation reeked of ulterior motives.

Sophia quickly assessed the possibilities: either they were surrendering—or setting a trap.

If it was the former, she wouldn't interfere with Adrian's decision.

But if it was the latter? As his guardian, she wouldn't stand by.

"Where's the dinner?"

Adrian shrugged again. "She didn't say yet."

"Forward me the address when you get it."

Adrian shot her a wary look. "Why?"

Sophia smiled innocently. "I'm free tonight. Might as well join the fun."

"Absolutely not." His refusal was instant.

This wasn't a social call.

He wasn't that helpless child anymore.

Sophia studied his unusual reaction and blinked. "You're not actually considering going back to that production, are you?"

Adrian scoffed. "I'd rather play a corpse than return to that dump."

Sophia stared.

"That's... quite the career aspiration."

When Adrian offered no further explanation, she didn't press.

She'd find out his whereabouts one way or another.

And she was just as curious about Director Chen's real intentions.