It was eight o'clock in the evening , and the atmosphere in the pavilion grew increasingly quiet . Elena kept pacing nervously , occasionally stealing glances at Aliana , who sat silently on the sola , staring blankly out the window . Since returning from Andrian's office that afternoon , Aliana hadn't changed - silent , cold , and not a single word had escaped her lips . Elena finally couldn't stand it anymore , especially since Aliana had skipped lunch . She approached carefully . " Miss , at least eat a little , " Elena coaxed gently . " You haven't eaten anything since you got back . " Aliana slowly shook her head , her eyes never ! leaving the window . " I'm not hungry , Elena . Please don't force me again , Elena exhaled slowly , deeply concerned . She knew Aliana was troubled - especially after learning that her late sister Alicia's painting had been damaged during the gala attack . She understood how valuable that painting was to Aliana , Still , she couldn't just let her go without eating. " Miss … I'm worried you'll get sick . Please " You're being too noisy , Elena , Allana cut her off . " Go to bed if you're going to keep bothering me . " Elena pressed her lips together , saying nothing more . She knew Aliana was angry . So she stayed quiet and didn't try to insist further . Hours passed in silence , and still , Andrian had not returned . Aliana , growing increasingly impatient , finally picked up her phone and tried to call him but there was no answer . She tried several more times with the same result - no reply . Her expression grew colder , and her eyes burned with suppressed anger . Eventually , Aliana sent a short , clear , and firm message : " When are you coming home ? I'm still waiting . " But that message , too , went unanswered . Aliana let out a harsh breath and decided to call Nadia " Good evening … Mr. Velor's office . How may I help you ? " Nadia answered politely , unaware of who was calling " It's Aliana , " she replied curtly . " M. Miss Aliana ! " Nadia sounded shocked once she realized who it was " Nadia , is Andrian still at the office ? " Aliana asked flatly , wasting no time . There was a short pause , then Nadia answered hesitantly , " No , Miss . Mr. Andrian left the office about an hour ago . He … went to dinner with Miss Bianca . " Aliana's hand clenched tightly at Nadia's response . Her jaw locked , but her voice remained cold and composed . " Very well . Thank you for informing me . " She ended the call and stared at her phone , dyes sharpening as her anger reached a breaking point . " Don't blame me if this is the path you've chosen ," she muttered under her breath , voice full of threat . 1/4 Chapter 49 Elena , seeing the shift in Aliana's expression , grew even more concerned . She wanted to ask what had happened , but Aliana suddenly stood and headed for her room . " Miss … " Elena tried to follow , but Aliana turned with a sharp and commanding gaze . " I want to be alone , Elena . Don't disturb me , " Alana ordered firmly , leaving no room for argument . Elena could only nod in resignation as she watched Allana ascend the stairs quickly . A chill ran through her . This was the first time she'd ever seen Aliana this angry - even if she didn't show it overtly . Aliana shut her bedroom door with a loud thud . Once inside , she went straight to her desk and turned on her laptop . She accessed the internal security system of the Velor family mansion . Her gaze was sharp as she scanned every detail of the building's structure , searching for any hidden room Andrian might be using to store valuables - including Alicia's painting Minutes passed , but Aliana found nothing . Frustrated , the sighed , her mind flashing back to her conversation earlier that day with Albert , when she insisted on searching the art storage room . Earlier that afternoon , Aliana had demanded to be taken to the art room- location of the private storage area for important items . n - but the painting wasn't there . Albert had told her that only Andrian knew the Feeling cornered , Aliana grabbed her phone and called Rafe - the only person she believed could help her . The call connected quickly . I need your help , Rate . I'm looking for a hidden room where Andrian stores his valuables in the Velor mansion . I've tried everything , but I've found nothing , " Aliana said directly , skipping any pleasantries . Rafo fell silent for a moment , then calmly replied , " Give me a few minutes . I'll try to locate it . " Aliana waited in silence , her mind still in turmoil . Not long after , Rate's voice returned on the other end of the line . " I found it , Miss . It appears there's a hidden room secured with a special biometric system on the second floor of the mansion , The room can only be accessed by Mr. Andrian himself , " Rafe explained . " You won't be able to enter without triggering an alert . If you try to force your way in , you could be flagged as an intruder . " Aliana let out a out a deep sigh , feeling incredibly frustrated . " There's no other way ? " " Unfortunately , no , Miss . The system was designed exclusively for Mr. Andrian . Even I can't bypass it without setting off an alarm . You'll have to ask him to open it himself , " Rafe advised . Aliana was silent for a long moment , then finally gave in . " Alright . Thank you , Rafe . " " Anytime , Miss The call ended . Alana leaned back in her chair , staring up at the ceiling with a blank expression . She was angry and frustrated , but more than that she felt powerless . She had never felt this helpless before . She knew she had no choice but to wait for Andrian to come home and she hated that reality more than anything " I won't forget this , Andrian . You'll pay for it someday , " Aliana whispered coldly , her voice laced with quiet menace . 2/4 In the stillness of the night , Andrian's black car slowly pulled into the driveway of the Velor family mansion . The main lights turned on automatically , welcoming their arrival . Inside the car , Banca stepped out first , her movements unsteady . Her cheeks were flushed from light intoxication , and she leaned slightly against Andrian , who patiently supported her . Bianca let out a soft laugh , clinging to Andrian's arm and murmuring , " I can walk just fine … but you're too warm to let go of Andrian simply sighed , saying nothing . He just made sure she didn't fall as he guided her gently toward the front door of the mansion . Across the garden , in front of her stone pavilion steps , Aliana stood still . She had heard the sound of the car engine minutes ago , and now her sharp gaze fixed on Andrian and Bianca - watching her husband holding another woman far too closely . Aliana didn't feel jealous witnessing their intimacy . She felt furious because she had waited so long just to see Alicia's painting . Without a word , she walked briskly toward them . Elena , who had stayed by Allana's side , quickly followed . When Aliana got c close enough , she spoke in a cold , direct tone : " I've been waiting for you since this afternoon . The least you could've done was inform me you'd be home late . " Andrian stopped in his tracks , a slight frown forming at her sharp to tone That was when he remembered - his promise earlier that day to show Aliana Alicia's painting . Bianca , still clinging playfully to Andrian , turned her head and narrowed her eyes . Irritation flared the moment she saw Aliana . She gave a mocking smile " Oh … Aliana You're still awake ? " Bianca slurred , her voice heavy and disheveled . " We had dinner together . Didn't sleep because you were waiting for him ? Allana stared at Blanca coldly , saying nothing . Sensing the tension escalating , Andrian quickly called over a female attendant and gave an order " Take Miss Bianca to her room . " No ! " Bianca relused . She hugged Andrian tightly . tay with you . I don't want to be away from you . You promised you'd spend the night with me . " * No … I want to stay Andrian looked at Bianca with a faint smile - the kind of gentleness he rarely showed anyone , not even his own family " Go on inside . I'll follow soon . I need to take care of something with Aliana first " " Nooo , " Bianca pouted shamelessly , hugging him even tighter . " Let's go together . " " I won't be long he coaxed . " Go , I don't want you getting sick . " After some soft coaxing and persuasion , Bianca finally relented - though she still looked sulky and clung to Andrian's arm longer than necessary Two attendants helped guide Blanca inside , while Andrian watched her retreating back carefully , as it making sure she was safe . 3/4 Chapter 49 Meanwhile , Elena , who had been standing behind Aliana the whole time , was seething . Her eyes were wide , and her fists clenched in silent fury . She felt disgusted watching Blanca shamelessly cling to Andrian in front of his own wife . But what infuriated her even more was Andrian's attitude . How could he be so gentle with Bianca ? Speaking to her calmly , with warm eyes … while always treating Aliana with cold indifference ? Elena gritted her teeth in silence . Beside her , Aliana stood tall , showing not the slightest hint of jealousy or disappointment on her face . But behind her gaze , her emotions were in complete turmoil . Aliana was done waiting . She needed to see Alicia's painting immediately . And it enraged her even more that after hours of waiting the first thing she had to witness was Andrian being affectionate with his mistress . Andrian finally turned his attention to Aliana . He could clearly see the anger smoldering in her eyes - but he didn't care . He didn't even feel the need to apologize . " Follow me , " Andrian entered the mansion without saying another word . Alana , though furious , followed him in silence . Behind them , Elena and Albert hurried to catch up , their faces a mix of confusion and curiosity . But when they reached the door to Andrian's study on the second floor , they were stopped by a sharp hand gesture , " Wait here , " Andrian ordered firmly without turning around . His tone made it clear that his instruction was final . Albert stopped immediately , standing straight in obedience . Elena hesitated slightly , glancing worriedly but eventually stepped back and waited beside Abert . Andrian pressed his index finger to a panel by the door . A faint sound came from the security system as it scanned his fingerprint . Moments later , the door opened slowly , revealing Andrian's grand and meticulously organized private study. Without a word , he stepped inside and gestured for Aliana to follow , Aliana obeyed , her heart a mix of curiosity and anxiety . She hadn't expected Andrian's secret vault to be located inside his personal study . Silently , she admired the advanced security system he had installed . But she chose to say nothing , keeping her face cold and unreadable - even though her curiosity was growing stronger by the second . Ө