Another unsolved puzzle now stood before Adrian Frost, adding to the storm already brewing in his life. It had only been twenty-four hours, yet he felt as if he had been walking through a maze of shadows with no end in sight. The first mystery still haunted him—the woman in the silver veil who had arrived at the Grace Mansion with an army of highly trained guards, rescuing Isabella before his own men could. The second mystery unsettled him even more—someone had entered Lawrence Grace's hospital room just minutes before their arrival, and despite strict security and sealed CCTV footage, there was no trace of that intruder anywhere. And now, a third unknown force had appeared, silently slipping into his life—someone powerful enough to retrieve Isabella's belongings from the Grace Mansion without anyone noticing, and brave enough to leave no trace behind.
Adrian was not a man who accepted uncertainty. He was a strategist, a ruler in silence, a man who controlled every path before stepping onto it. But now—someone else was moving the pieces in his game. Someone watching him. Someone helping Isabella. Someone he couldn't see.
And that made them dangerous.
Although these mysteries haunted Adrian to his very core, he kept them buried beneath a composed expression. All of it gnawed at the back of his mind like a silent storm—but he refused to let even a flicker of it touch Isabella. She had already been through enough darkness in her life. He wouldn't let his worries disturb the fragile happiness she had just begun to embrace.
But Isabella sensed it.
Women like her—who had tasted betrayal and learned to survive on their own—could read emotions not spoken aloud. When Adrian fell quiet, lost in the shadows of his thoughts, Isabella gently placed her small hand on his arm.
"Adrian," she asked softly, eyes full of concern, "what's troubling you?"
Her voice pulled him back from the spiral of suspicion and calculations. Adrian blinked once, then looked at her expression—so warm, so genuine—that his guarded heart eased just a little. He couldn't show her his worry. Not yet. So, he did what he rarely did—he hid behind a playful smile.
"I was just thinking…" He paused dramatically, then sighed. "I missed my opportunity. I wanted to go to the market with you today and buy things for you. But now that all your belongings are here… I'm afraid you won't want to go shopping with me anymore."
He even added a small pout at the end—dramatic and utterly un-Adrian-like. And yet, in that moment, he looked not like the intimidating CEO of Frost Corporation, but like a charming husband trying to win his wife's attention.
Isabella stared at him for two seconds—then burst into a soft laugh. Leaning forward, she cupped his face and placed a kiss on his cheek.
"So that's what the great Mr. Frost has been sulking about?" she teased, eyes sparkling. "You're absolutely right—I have all my belongings here now. But just because I don't need anything doesn't mean you get to save your money."
She lifted her chin proudly.
"You still have to buy a lot of things for me. In fact, from next week, my final exams begin, and once they start, I'll be returning to college. I want to look…" she paused and twirled a strand of hair with a dramatic flair, "extraordinary when I rejoin."
She was simply glowing—her laughter lighting up the room, her hand still resting in his. And just like that, Adrian's world, heavy with unsolved shadows and dangerous questions, fell quiet.
Because this—right here—was his peace. His home. His reason.
Adrian cleared his throat gently and looked at Isabella. "Get ready properly, sweetheart. I just need to attend a call. I'll be back in a moment."
Isabella nodded with a soft smile and went to the dressing table to finish getting ready. She brushed her long hair, applying a light touch of makeup. In the mirror, she could see Adrian's reflection walking toward the balcony with his phone in hand—his expression calm, but she could sense a layer of seriousness beneath it.
Once he stepped outside and closed the glass door behind him, Adrian dialed David's number.
The call was answered on the second ring."Sir?" David spoke with his usual composed tone.
"David," Adrian said without wasting time, "arrange a meeting with the Alpha of Moonviel Pack."
There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end.
"Meeting… with her?" David's voice slipped with surprise. Everyone in their world knew the Moonviel Pack wasn't easy to approach, let alone arrange a meeting with their mysterious She-Alpha—especially since she rarely met outsiders. "May I ask if there is any specific reason for this sudden meeting?"
"I'll explain later," Adrian replied firmly, his tone leaving no room for further questions. "Just make sure I meet her—not her representatives, not her warriors—the Alpha herself. Request an urgent meeting. I don't want any delays."
"Understood, sir. I'll get it done."
Adrian ended the call without another word. He stood there for a few seconds on the balcony, the wind brushing against his hair as his sharp eyes narrowed in thought. The unsolved mysteries around him were no longer just coincidences. And if his instincts were right—someone powerful was moving in the dark.
He slid his phone into his pocket and walked back inside. Isabella was already ready, sitting patiently on the edge of the bed, adjusting her bracelet. When she looked up and saw him, a beautiful smile tugged at her lips.
She didn't ask what the call was about. She didn't question him. She simply stood up and reached for his hand, waiting.
For a moment, Adrian paused—watching her with quiet admiration. Whatever storms were coming… she was the calm he would always return to.