HAPTER 035 OLIVIA'S POV I didn't speak to him again throughout the journey . I just stared out the window , watching as the city lights blurred past us . The evening sky had darkened , mirroring the weight in my chest . There was no other way out , so I had to agree to his condition . -at least for now . My mind was still reeling from everything that had happened . The staged accident , the blackmail , the fact that I was being forced back into this prison of a marriage . I should have known better than to meet Adrian tonight . I should have listened to Julian . Now , I was trapped again . The convoy slowed as we approached his estate , and soon we were passing through the tall iron gates . My heart clenched as the sight of the mansion came into view . I had promised myself I would never set foot here again , yet here I was . The cars pulled up in the parking lot , and one of his drivers quickly stepped out to open the door for both of us . The moment I stepped out , the familiar scent of the mansion hit me , a mix of rich mahogany , cold marble , and something distinctly Adrian , Nothing had changed . The whole place still looked as lifeless as ever - cold , empty , and suffocating . As I walked in , my eyes immediately scanned the space , searching for Dora . My fists clenched at the thought of seeing her . If she was here , I was ready to give her the slap she deserved for what she did to me the last time we met . I spotted a maid passing by and quickly stopped her . " Welcome back , madam , " she said with a polite bow . I ignored the greeting . " Is there any other woman in the house ? " The maid blinked , looking confused for a second before answering , " Apart from the maids , there's no other woman here . " I nodded , dismissing her . As much as I despised the thought of being under the same roof as Dora , a small part of me had wanted her here - so I could teach her a lesson myself . Adrian didn't say another word to me . He simply turned on his heel and walked straight toward his library , not sparing me another glance . Good . I didn't want to see him either . Seeing this as my opportunity , thuccessfully unlocked ! taircase and made my way to the master bedroom , shutting the door firmly behind me . My hands trembled slightly as I dug through my purse for my phone . The moment I found it , I quickly dialed Julian's number . 1/3 CHAPTER 035 After a few rings , he picked up . " Olivia , where are you ? " His voice was sharp with concern . " I'm back at Adrian's place , " I said , my voice barely above a whisper . " Your driver told you everything that happened , right ? " " Yes , he did , " Julian said , his tone tightening . " I know how bad the situation might sound , but Adrian can't help you . Just come back to my place so we can figure this out . " 1 let out a shaky breath . " Right now , Adrian is the only person that can help me . Your driver only told you half of the story . " " What do you mean ? " Julian asked , confusion lacing his voice . I swallowed hard and explained everything - how Adrian had staged the accident , how he was blackmailing me into staying with him , and how he had orchestrated everything from the very beginning . Silence followed for a moment before Julian finally spoke . " Damn ," he muttered . And I knew that tone , even Julian knew there was no other way out , and he was the type of person that always finds a solution "I can play along and stay here until we figure out a way out of this mess , " I said , trying to sound more confident than I felt . " Evidence , " Julian said . I frowned . " Huh ? " " He's using this to hold you down because the ball is in his court . But if we find enough evidence to prove you're innocent , you can go free , " he explained . I bit my lip . " And how are we going to do that ? " " That's where you come in . " " Me ? " I asked incredulously . " Yes . Since everything was planned , if you can get the names of the people he paid to do this , I can find a way to make them confess . " I started pacing . " So , you're saying I need to find out who Adrian paid ? " " Exactly , " Julian confirmed " You have to get him to slip up and say their names . If we can track them down , I'll handle the rest . " It was risky . Adrian wasn't an idiot . He was always two steps ahead , and getting him to reveal anything wouldn't be easy . Still , it was my only chance . " I'll try , " I finally said . 2/3 CHAPTER 035 " Good , " Julian replied . " Just be careful . We don't want him to be suspicious Olivia . " I exhaled slowly . " I know . " " Keep in touch ," Julian said firmly . " I'll do everything I can to get you out of there . " A small , sad smile touched my lips . It was comforting , knowing I wasn't alone in this . That Julian had my back .. " Bye , " I whispered before hanging up . I quickly slid my phone back into my purse just as I heard approaching footsteps . My body tensed . Adrian . I moved toward the bed , sitting down and pretending as if nothing had happened . The door swung open , and Adrian stepped inside , holding a folded piece of paper in his hand . He didn't say a word at first . He simply took off his jacket and placed it neatly over a chair before walking toward me . Then , without any warning , he handed me the paper . " What's this ? " I asked cautiously , taking it from him . His expression remained unreadable as he replied , " If you read carefully , you'll see that these are certain rules I just created that you now need to follow . " My brows furrowed in confusion . Rules ? I unfolded the paper and started scanning the contents , but my hands instinctively tightened around the edges . What did he mean by rules I was meant to follow ? Subscribed