ADRIAN'S POV * Back to the present * The familiar buzzing of my phone pulled me from the darkness , dragging me back to reality . I sat up , my breath uneven , my pulse hammering in my ears . My body felt tense , a thin layer of sweat clinging to my skin despite the cold air in my library office . That dream again . It never left me , haunting me every year like clockwork . The scene replayed in my mind , vivid and torturous - my mother's trembling hands , her tear - streaked face , the final words she uttered before the deafening gunshot shattered my world . I had relived it so many times that I had lost count . No matter how much time passed , the pain never dulled . I ran a hand over my face , exhaling sharply . Maybe I should stop sleeping altogether when this day came around . What was the point if all I did was wake up drowning in the same old nightmare ? My phone buzzed again , vibrating against the wood of my desk . I glanced at the screen and saw Dan's name flashing . Right - I had told him earlier at the office to get me results . Could it be that he finally had something ? Straightening up , I cleared my throat and answered . " Talk to me . " " Boss , I have good news ," Dan's voice came through the speaker , his tone sharp with urgency . " We found him . " I raised an eyebrow . " Found who ? " " The nut job who messed up our plans . Madam Olivia's friend . " I leaned back in my chair , running a hand along my jaw . That wasn't the main objective , but it was at least a step forward . If he was in contact with Olivia , he could lead us to her whereabouts . She might even be staying with him . " Alright , " I said , my voice steady . " That's a good step forward . Now that you know . where he's living , I want you and your team to closely monitor him . At the very least , he should know something about Olivia's whereabouts ." " Copy that , sir . " I " This time , try not to get caught , " I warned . " Send me a photo of this guy . I want to take a look . " " Understood , boss . Sending it no ... Successfully unlocked ! hung up and placed the phone back on my desk . Not even a minute later , a notification chimed . Dan had sent the photo and a name . 1/4 CHAPTER 020 picked up my phone and opened the message , my gaze falling on the image . The moment my eyes registered the familiar face , my fingers tightened around the device . " The hell ? " I muttered . I zoomed in , studying the man in the photo . No doubt about it . " Julian ? " I said under my breath . At first , I had assumed it was some random stranger who had helped Olivia escape . But I never expected it to be him . Of all people - Julian . My jaw clenched . Olivia didn't have many male friends , and that was my decision . I had made sure of it . Julian had been the only one I could never completely get rid of . And now , after all this time , she had run straight to him . How predictable . had warned her countless times to stay away from him . Not because I was jealous , because I knew exactly what kind of person he was . Julian never knew when to ack off , always prying into other people's affairs . He wasn't just a nosy bastard - he was dangerously good at digging up information . The man had resources . Connections . If left unchecked , he could unravel everything I had spent years building . I rubbed my chin , the irritation simmering into something darker . Why him ? Had she been in contact with him this whole time ? I had made sure she kept her distance from Julian during our marriage , going as far as threatening her with our relationship . She had listened - or so I had thought . So why was she back with him now ? I exhaled through my nose , gripping the edge of my desk . This wasn't good . Julian wasn't just a potential obstacle . He was a direct threat . If Olivia told him everything , there was no telling what he would do . He would dig . He would investigate . And if he looked hard enough , he might find the skeletons buried in my past . I stood up , pacing across the room . My patience was running thin . " Why can't you just mind your fucking business ? " I muttered under my breath . I picked up my phone again and called Dan . He answered on the second ring . " Yes , sir . " " This guy - Julian . He's not just anyone . You need to be extremely careful with him , " I warned . CH