Chapter 90. Adrian’s fear.
Adrian’s head throbbed with pain as he came to consciousness, his vision blurred. His arms were bound behind his back, the coarse rope digging into his wrists. A chilling silence surrounded him, broken only by the faint hum of an air conditioner. Slowly, as his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he realized he was in a sparsely furnished room—a warehouse or some kind of abandoned facility.
Before he could gather his thoughts, he heard the sound of footsteps. A familiar voice—a cruel, taunting tone—echoed through the room.
"Well, well, look who’s finally awake," Lady Sachel said, her sharp heels clicking against the floor as she approached him. Her face, usually adorned with an elegant and composed expression, now bore a sinister grin. Beside her stood Wuner Hudel, his arms crossed, exuding an aura of cold disdain.
Adrian struggled against his restraints, his heart pounding in his chest. "Why are you doing this?" he demanded, though his voice trembled with fear. "What do you want from me?"
Lady Sachel chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down Adrian’s spine. "Oh, Adrian, you’ve always been so naïve. Did you really think you could strut around like some noble phoenix and not attract attention? You’re not special, boy. You never were."
Wuner stepped forward, his lips curling into a sneer. "She’s right. You’ve been living a lie, Adrian. Playing the role of a hero, basking in your newfound glory. But it’s time you learned the truth."
Adrian’s breath hitched as he tried to piece together their cryptic words. "What truth?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why are you obsessed with me?"
The words seemed to trigger something in Lady Sachel. Her smile vanished, replaced by a furious glare. Without warning, she raised her hand and slapped Adrian across the face, the force of it leaving a stinging red mark on his cheek.
"You have no right to ask questions!" she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "You’re nothing but a tool—a failed experiment. You don’t deserve to know."
Adrian’s head snapped to the side from the blow, his mind reeling. Tears stung his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. He gritted his teeth, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing him break.
"Now, now," came another voice, deep and smooth, with an unsettling calmness. Adrian turned his head to see a man entering the room. He was strikingly handsome, with sharp features and silver hair that shimmered under the dim light. His piercing eyes held an unsettling mix of amusement and cruelty. Despite looking to be in his 40s, his presence radiated a timeless, almost inhuman quality.
"Lady Sachel," the man said with a faint smile, "there’s no need to be so harsh. After all, Adrian deserves to know why he’s going to die."