Chapter 61

Stella's POV

I found myself listening more intently,my heartbeat quickening slig

htly. "There are photos too," the first officer continued, pulling out his

phone. "'Check out this one from the gala."

His colleague let out a low whistle. "Wow, even in a wheelchair,t

he guy's got presence. Who's the blonde with him?"

The officer turned the screen,and though I was a few feet away, I recognized the familiar figure in the wheelchair,accompanied by

a tall, blonde woman. A pang of jealousy twisted in my stomach, and I frowned involuntarily. "Looks like some European duchess or countess," the officer shrug

ged.

I pulled out my phone again, this time opening Twitter.Sure enou

gh, the trending news was exactly what I feared. Headlines screamed: "Lancaster Family's True Identity

Revealed!European Socialites Scramble for Introductions!" The

accompanying photos showed Adam at the European business summit,

including several with the same blonde woman I had seen on the

officer's phone. I kept scrolling, fnding more sensational headlines: "GT Group's

Asia Division President Finally Unveiled as Adam Lancaster of the

Lancaster Family" and "Adam Lancaster Attends Summit with D

uchess, Returns to Same Hotel, Relationship Status Unclear."

I zoomed in on the photos, studying the blonde woman's face.P

erfect bone structure, flawless skin, elegant posture. The way sh

e leaned toward Adam in one photo, her manicured hand restin

g just inches from his shoulder, made my stomach churn.

Is that why he's not answering? The thought struck like a lightni

ng bolt, followed by a wave of jealousy so intense it took my b

reath away. Are they together right now?

I could almost see it-Adam and this perfect duchess, laughing ov

er champagne in some luxury hotel suite. The image made me f

eel physically ill. A sudden realization hit me: I was jealous. Intensely irrationally j

ealous. Get a grip, Stella, I scolded myself,taking a deep breath. This is ridiculous. But you were in his bed just days ago. His arms were around y

ou. He whispered your name.

I pushed the thought away. Whatever Adam was doing in Europ

e didn't matter. Our marriage was just a contract.nothing more. But despite my rational thoughts, the ache in my chest remained. "Ma'am?" The officer at the desk pulled me from my thoughts. "Are you married?"

"Yes," I answered automatically.

· "Why not call your husband to pick you up? It would be simpler. "

"No need to call," I replied, the words slipping out before I could

think. "He's no longer with us." The officer's expression softened immediately.

′′

′m sorry to hear

that,ma'am."

"What?" I blinked, not understanding his sudden change in demea

nor. "Your loss," he explained gently.

′′ must be recent." Oh. The officer thought Adam was dead. I should correct him,but

something stopped me. Maybe it was the sting from those phot

os, or the simple awkwardness of my situation. Whatever it was, I found myself not refuting his assumption. "Yes," I said softly, lowering my eyes as if in mourning. Sam,who had been quietly observing, caught my eye, her expression

clearly saying, Really? This is your strategy? She then gave a slight nod

of support "Poor thing," the officer murmured. "Don't be too sad. You're you

ng and beautiful-you and he were never meant to be."

I mustered a brave widow's smile, feeling a twinge of guilt for th

e deception, but not enough to correct it.

"Ms. Winston?" A different officer appeared at the door."Someone

's here to see you."

Sam and I exchanged a puzzled glance."For me?"

"He says he's your husband," the officer continued, checking his n

otebook. "A handsome fellow, waiting at the front desk."

The officer who had taken my statement looked up sharply."Your

husband? But you just said-"

"I don't know who that could be," I interrupted quickly. my mind

racing. Had Brian followed us here to cause more trouble?

"Tall, wearing an expensive suit," the officer continued. That doesn't sound like Brian... "Well, let's not keep him waiting." Sam said, standing and pulling

me along. We followed the officer down the hallway to the reception area.When I

saw him, I stopped in my tracks, Adam sat in his wheelchair, dressed in an impeccably tailored gra

y suit, a black wool coat draped over his shoulders. His hair was

slightly tousled, whether from the speed of his movement or th

e night wind, I couldn't tell. His eyes met mine.one eyebrow sligh

tly raised. Oh God. Did he hear what I said?

"Mr. Lancaster," the officer greeted with newfound respect."Your

wife is right here."

Adam's gaze never left mine, his expression unreadable. "Thank y

ou, officer. Sorry for the trouble."

"Sorry," the officer who had taken my statement appeared behind

us, clearly confused. "This is your husband? But you said he was

-"

"I apologize for the confusion," Adam interrupted calmly."My wife

has a flair for the dramatic." His tone remained casual.but his e

yes never left mine. "Well," the officer shifted uncomfortably. "Fighting in a nightclub i

s not good behavior, the place was a mess."

"I understand," Adam nodded. "We'll, of course, cover any damages."

He wheeled closer to me, his eyes scanning mv disheveled appearance. "Are you hurt?"

appearance. "You... how did you get here?"

"Where else would I be?" Adam retorted, his voice low enough for only

me to hear. "The morgue? The Lancaster family crypt?"

My face flushed with embarrassment. So he had heard. "I thought you'd send Tyler." I said, quickly changing the subject. "Let my assistant know my wife was arrested for fighting in a nig

htclub?" Adam's voice held a hint of amusement.

′′ really do thi

nk highly of my reputation."

Sam couldn't help but laugh. I shot her a glare. "I rarely go to nightclubs," I insisted, aware of how pathetic my

defense sounded. "Tonight was an exception."

"Isn't that what they all say?" Adam's lips twitched. "Let's go ho

me. You can explain in the car."

As we were about to leave, another officer appeared. "Ms.Winsto

n? Someone else is here to bail you out."

A man in a tailored suit walked in, and I immediately recognized

the manager. My heart sank. "Ms. Winston, Ms. Samantha," he greeted respectfully. "Icame as

soon as I heard." "Thank you...," I said, struggling to explain his presence. "He's...the

manager of a café we own."

"A café?" The officer looked at us skeptically.

′′ 𝑀, aren't you the r

egistered agent for the RougeClub?"

The manager hesitated, looking to me for guidance. I frowned.knowi

ng the game was up. "Yes, that's correct," he finally admitted. Sam let out a dramatic sigh."Well,our secret identity is blown,Stella. "

Adam's expression remained neutral, but I could see the curiosity in his eyes."seems we have much to discuss, Mrs.Lancaster."