CHAPTER 024 ADRIAN'S POV Seated in the conference room , I stared at the screen in front of me , analyzing the demand chart for our latest product that had just been released . The numbers weren't as high as I expected . The product had pulled in some solid cash around half a million dollars if I recall correctly but it had not lived up to expectations . Around me , the investors whispered amongst themselves , their voices hushed as if afraid to draw my attention . They could already tell that the report had put me in a foul mood . Beside me , James sighed , shaking his head as he studied the figures . " Well , that's a shame . I expected big things from this . " " The market didn't go as expected , but we've already begun to work on that ," standing beside the chart one of my employees , specifically the man in charge of the advertising section , spoke up . He walked closer to me and then slid a tablet across the table toward me . " We're working on creating new packaging and running several more ads with the help of big- time celebrities . We're also planning to give out free samples . Their reviews will attract more customers - I'm sure of it ." I barely spared the screen a glance before pushing it aside . " You're sure of it .. " I said " look I don't care how you do it . I want this fixed as soon as possible . " I added A heavy silence fell over the room . No one dared to speak . I could feel their hesitation , the way their shoulders tensed under the weight of my words . " yes sir ." Without another word , I - stood up and strode out of the conference room . My footsteps echoed down the hall as I made my way toward the bathroom . James hurried after me , his voice cautious . " Hey , are you okay ? " " I'm fine ," I replied flatly . Clearly , that was a lie I was in a horrible mood . Today was the day my mother died . And each year , I hated this day more than the last . Each night on this day I always had nightmares , dreams of witnessing what happened to her . James must have sensed it because he stopped following me after a while . He watched me carefully , his lips parting sherwanted to say something , but he held back . Successfully unlocked ! Good , I wasn't in the mood for conversation . I pushed open the bathroom door and walked to the sink , twisting the faucet . Cold 1/3 CHAPTER 024 water ran over my hands , numbing them slightly before I splashed it on my face . The icy chill did little to wash away the frustration boiling inside me . Gripping the edge of the sink , I stared at my reflection in the mirror . My jaw was tense , my eyes shadowed from restless nights spent chasing ghosts . Each year that passed , the weight of my unfulfilled promise pressed heavier on my shoulders . I had sworn to make them pay - the people who took my mother from me . Yet , despite everything I'd built , despite all my power , I was still no closer to my goal . I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone , my thumb swiping across the screen until her picture appeared . My mother . She was the reason I fought . The reason I refused to give up . The reason I never let myself fall . Then they took her away from me . The phone vibrated in my hand , pulling me from my thoughts . For a brief second , I hoped it was Dan with an update . I checked the screen . A useless message from one of my investors . Iclenched my jaw and exhaled sharply before dialing Dan's number instead . He picked up almost immediately . " Boss ." His voice was steady , but I could hear the edge of uncertainty in it . " Tell me you have something . " Silence . Then , " Not yet ." My fingers curled into a fist . " Not yet ? " My tone was colder than the water dripping from my chin . " We're working on it ," Dan said quickly . " We've been scanning all street cameras , every feed within a five - mile radius of her last known location . So far , nothing . But we're not stopping ." I shut my eyes for a second , inhaling through my nose . " Dan , I don't need excuses . I need results ." " I know , " he admitted . " We're shifting our approach . If we can't find her directly , we're tracking someone else . " I frowned . " Who ? " " The guy who showed up for her at the café . We saw him leaving with her , so she might be staying with him . If we find him , we find her . " I considered that for a moment , my grip on the phone tightening . Olivia was smart , 2/3 CHAPTER 024 and if she had even an ounce of caution , she'd be keeping a low profile . But people always had weak spots . Attachments . Someone they trusted enough to run to . " How long ? " I demanded . Dan hesitated . " I'll update you soon . ' I exhaled sharply . " I don't want an update . I want a location . Do not call me until you have one ." Click . I shoved my phone back into my pocket and turned to the mirror once more . My mother's face haunted me in my reflection , a ghost of the past that refused to fade . I had sworn on her grave that I would make them pay . And I would . No matter how long it took . A sharp knock sounded on the bathroom door , pulling me from my thoughts . " Sir ? " A voice called from outside . " Mr. James asked me to remind you of your next meeting . " I clenched my jaw , gripping the sink harder before exhaling and straightening up . " I'll be there in five minutes . " " Yes , sir . " The footsteps faded away , leaving me alone once again . I turned off the faucet and grabbed a paper towel , drying my hands . My emotions didn ' t matter right now . The weight of my past didn't matter right now . The only thing that mattered was finding Olivia . Because once I did , everything would fall into place . And her hero , well he doesn't know the mess he just put himself in She thought she could run . She thought she could hide . But she would learn soon . enough . 3/3