Chapter 31 At the main mansion, Andrian was seated in his study, reviewing the rundown of the upcoming Charity Gala just forwarded by Viktor. On his laptop screen, a tidy list of guests lined up-from multinational CEOs to government officials. Logistics, security details, and protocol schedules were all summarized in a concise report. The Charity Gala was one of the Velor family's largest public events, typically overseen by Genevra herself, but Andrian always ensured that every detail was properly managed. He knew one public misstep could cost him everything. Just as he was rereading the VIP guest reception plan, the door burst open. Derek entered, clearly panicked, and spoke without waiting for permission. "Mr. Andrian... Miss Bianca's had an accident," Derek said quickly. "Her arm was cut badly by broken glass. We just brought her to the hospital." Andrian shot up from his chair. "How serious is it?" "The doctors are treating her, but the cut is deep. There was a lot of bleeding. She's weak." Without asking more, Andrian closed his laptop and hurried out of the study. He descended the grand staircase quickly. A few staff glanced at him and whispered among themselves. No one looked surprised. It was common knowledge in the mansion that Andrian was especially attentive to Bianca Lorraine-more so than what would normally be expected for a subordinate. Within minutes, his private car sped through the estate gates toward the private hospital where Bianca was being treated. Meanwhile, in the pavilion, Elena was clearing the tea tray from Aliana's evening routine. The atmosphere was calm, save for the ticking of the wall clock. But hushed voices of two maids chatting in the back kitchen drifted to Elena's ears. "Mr. Andrian rushed to the hospital. They said Miss Bianca's injured..." "Seriously?" "Apparently, she was cut by glass. Not life-threatening, but bad enough. Mr. Andrian was frantic. He left immediately." Elena's face shifted. Without delay, she walked upstairs to Aliana's room and knocked gently. "Miss Aliana?" "Come in, Elena," Aliana replied from inside. She was in a pale satin nightgown, hair loose, seated at her vanity, brushing her hair. Elena entered cautiously. 1/5 [8:18 pm Chapter 31 "I just heard... Mr. Andrian has gone to the hospital. To visit Miss Blanca." Aliana paused mid-brush. She didn't turn around. "Visiting Bianca? What happened to that woman?" 20 vouchere "I heard from the kitchen staff. Miss Bianca is injured-cut quite badly, though not seriously. Mr. Andrian looked very worried and left right away." Silence. Aliana gazed at her own reflection. Her face was calm and cold. Unchanged. "He went straight to Bianca?" she murmured. Elena nodded. Aliana stood slowly and walked to the window. The garden lights glowed across the yard. The night air felt damp. "He must be very worried about her," she said softly. "We'll see tomorrow. I want to know... whether Andrian can still think rationally, or if Bianca's tricks have completely clouded his mind." Elena furrowed her brows, not fully grasping Aliana's words. But she could see the seriousness in her mistress's face. "Miss.... are you alright?" Aliana answered without turning. "The more Andrian protects Bianca, the harder it is for me to bring her to justice. I have to do something to separate them." "Miss-" "Leave me," Aliana said, walking to her bed. "I want to rest." Elena obeyed without protest. She left the room, clearly anxious. She feared Aliana might soon do something dangerous. At the hospital, Andrian had just arrived at the VIP ward. He moved quickly, Derek following closely behind. "How's Bianca?" he asked the doctor. "Miss Bianca just finished receiving stitches. She's still weak," the doctor replied. Andrian didn't respond. He walked straight to the bedside. Bianca lay there, an IV in her right hand and a bandage wrapped from her left upper arm down to her elbow. Her face was pale but still beautiful despite her smudged makeup. Her eyes fluttered open when she sensed his presence. "Andrian... you came," Bianca whispered. "What happened?" Andrian asked sternly. Bianca lowered her gaze. "I accidentally stepped on some broken glass. I slipped... and hit the table." 2/5 Chapter 31 Andrian eyed her injury. It looked deep, and blood had still seeped through parts of the bandage. "Why weren't you more careful?" he asked gently, his voice edged with concern. Bianca bit her lip. 20 vouchers "I just... couldn't focus. Hearing you were going to the Gala with Aliana. I felt useless. You shouldn't go with that woman, unless it's because-" "Enough," Andrian cut her off firmly. He sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand. "Don't think about anything else. Just rest. I don't want your condition to worsen." "Andrian..." Bianca looked at him with teary eyes. Deep inside, she was delighted to see his worry for her. "Will you stay here?" "Of course," Andrian nodded without hesitation. "Now get some rest." Bianca smiled faintly and closed her eyes, secretly triumphant. She was certain Andrian would not attend the Gala now. He would choose to stay with her. 'See, Aliana? I'm still the one he chooses. He won't go with you. He'll stay with me.' A few hours later... Bianca was fast asleep on the hospital bed. The IV was still attached to her hand, and the heart monitor beside her bed beeped steadily. The room was silent, lit only by a dim glow that made everything feel calm and cold. On the long couch, Andrian had just woken up. Now he sat, staring at the floor. His mind wasn't in the room. His expression was hard. He glanced at his watch-it was eleven in the morning. Only a few hours left before the Gala began. The door to the room opened. Viktor entered, holding a black folder. "Sir," Viktor said softly. "Madam Genevra just called. She asked me to deliver an important message." Andrian looked up. His face remained expressionless, but his eyes were sharp. "What did she say?" Viktor swallowed hard. "If you do not attend tonight... with Madam Aliana... you will be considered to have voluntarily relinquished Titan Group." Andrian closed his eyes for a moment. His hand clenched into a fist. "Is that all?" "Your grandmother also said... she doesn't want to hear any excuses." Silence filled the room again. Andrian glanced at Bianca, still asleep, then turned a piercing look at Viktor. "Leave! If you have nothing else to say." 3/5 Chapter 31 "Sir- "Leave!" Andrian's voice rose a pitch. He truly meant to throw Viktor out of the room. 20 vouchers To Andrian, Bianca was the only thing that mattered right now. He hadn't gone to work today, despite the storm brewing among the board of directors. That alone should've made it clear to anyone what Bianca meant to him. Andrian had no intention of going anywhere until he was sure she was alright. Viktor said nothing more. He lowered his head and quietly exited the room. At the pavilion, Aliana stood before her large vanity mirror. A black satin gown-sent directly from the Velor family's boutique-hugged her figure perfectly. Her hair was styled into an elegant updo, accented with a sapphire pin. Her makeup was light but sharp. Elena stood behind her, admiring her mistress's extraordinary composure. "You look perfect, Miss." Aliana gave a faint smile, her eyes fixed on her reflection. It wasn't the makeup she was pleased with-it was something else. Something Rafe had delivered to her not long ago. "Do you think Mr. Andrian will really come to pick you up? You both agreed to go together... but he's still at the hospital. I'm worried-" "He'll come," Aliana interrupted, cutting off Elena's concern. She stared at herself in the mirror with unwavering confidence. "Andrian won't be late picking me up." Elena was uncertain. She glanced at the wall clock-it was 5 p.m. There were still two hours left until the time Andrian had promised to fetch Aliana. But according to what Elena had heard from the mansion staff, Andrian had yet to return. He hadn't left Bianca's hospital room even once. Elena worried that he wouldn't come. She didn't want to see Aliana heartbroken by the same man, the way Alicia had been. Aliana's phone vibrated. A message from Rafe appeared. 'Mr. Andrian has not left the hospital. He's still with Bianca. What should I do?' Aliana stared at the message for a few seconds, then typed back. 'Send me the video' Moments later, a video message arrived on her phone. Without opening it, Aliana forwarded the video directly to Andrian- along with a single message: 'I hope you haven't forgotten your promise. I don't like waiting 4/5 Freelance photographer Violet Beck is forced into an engagement with CEO Roy Payne. 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