The guard quickly rushed away, hurrying from where Adrian stood. If the world ever went searching for a devil in human skin, they would not need to look any further than Adrian.
Moments later, Adrian stepped fully onto the stage and took the microphone.
"Good evening, everyone."
The hall instantly came alive. All eyes turned toward him as cheers and applause filled the room.
Adrian smiled.
"Thank you all for coming to my party. I truly appreciate every single one of you. Tonight is about enjoyment. The food, the drinks, the company. Relax and have fun."
The crowd cheered again.
"But before I step down," he continued smoothly, "I would love to introduce you all to a very special couple. My own couple, actually."
Curiosity rippled through the room.
"You all know my puppet, right?" Adrian asked lightly.
Laughter and murmurs followed.
"Well, guess what? He is getting married."
Gasps filled the hall.
Whispers broke out immediately.
"That boy? Married?" "How is that even possible?" "He barely speaks to anyone."
In Adrian's circle, everyone knew Julian was nothing more than his puppet. The idea of him getting married sounded impossible.
"I know, I know," Adrian said, enjoying every second. "Shocking, right? But he is marrying someone perfect for him. Someone suitable. Someone… fitting."
The tension thickened.
"And guess what else?" Adrian added. "The wedding is tomorrow."
Another wave of stunned whispers followed.
"You are all invited to witness the beautiful matrimony at my mansion. Please come and celebrate the union of Julian and his lovely wife to be."
He paused deliberately.
"Isabella."
At that moment, a spotlight snapped on.
It found Isabella.
Her breath caught. She froze where she stood, unable to hide, unable to move.
"There she is," Adrian said with a satisfied smile. "The beautiful bride to be. Let us give her a round of applause."
The applause came, awkward and forced.
Isabella felt dizzy. Her chest tightened. She felt exposed, humiliated, and trapped. She was standing under bright lights, announced as the wife of a man she barely knew, tied to a future she never chose.
Adrian lowered the microphone.
"Enjoy the rest of the night," he said lightly, before leaving the stage.
Isabella felt like she was going to faint. Her legs felt weak, her mind spinning. She was not even holding the hand of the man she was being forced to marry.
And yet, tomorrow, she would become his wife.
Isabella stood up abruptly, unable to take it anymore. She turned toward the exit.
Adrian noticed immediately.
He turned slowly to Julian, his expression dark.
"If you allow her to leave this place," Adrian said calmly, "I will deal with you. It would be wiser if you stop her."
The threat was clear.
Julian clenched his jaw and hurried after Isabella, catching up with her just as she reached the door.
"Where are you going?" Julian asked.
"I can't stay anymore," Isabella said, her voice shaking. "Everything is just too much. I can't breathe."
"You can't leave," Julian said quietly but firmly. "You are putting me in trouble. Adrian has already warned me. You are not going anywhere."
He held her hand and turned her back toward the hall.
Isabella had no choice but to follow. She knew if she resisted, both of them would suffer the consequences.
As they walked back inside, Adrian moved toward them. He picked up a glass from a server's tray.
Without warning, and in full view of everyone, he poured the drink over Isabella's head. The liquid soaked her hair and dress, spilling down her body.
The hall went silent.
Adrian chuckled lightly.
"Relax, everyone. It was just a mistake," he said mockingly. "What is the husband to be going to do about it?"
Laughter broke out around them.
Julian stood frozen, humiliation burning through him. He still held Isabella's hand as she stood drenched, breathing hard, fighting tears.
Adrian stepped closer.
"She is not leaving this spot," he said coldly. "She is not going to the bathroom either. Figure something out. She stays here."
Something inside Isabella snapped.
"You are nothing but wicked," she said, her voice trembling with rage. "A very wicked man. The woman who gave birth to you must be blind to raise someone like you."
The room froze.
Every eye turned to her.
Adrian slowly faced her.
"What did you just say about my mother?" he asked quietly.
Isabella said nothing.
"I asked you a question," Adrian repeated, his voice dangerous. "How dare you, you lunatic?"
He stepped closer, fury written across his face.
Julian moved in front of Isabella immediately.
"Move," Adrian ordered. "Let me deal with her."
"I am not moving," Julian said.
Adrian laughed darkly.
"So you want to stand against me now? Have you forgotten what I have on you?"
Julian did not flinch.
"And Isabella," Adrian continued cruelly, "know your place. You are already a disgrace."
Before Adrian could move any closer, hands grabbed him from behind.
Sebastian and one of his friends had stepped in, holding him back.
The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on.
"Calm down," Sebastian said, lowering his voice as he held Adrian back. "We are in public. You need to be careful."
Adrian let out a low, wicked laugh. He looked at Julian and Isabella, his eyes cold and calculating.
Without another word, he walked away, disappearing back into the crowd.
Isabella stood trembling, soaked and humiliated. Julian took off his coat and placed it over her shoulders. He gently led her to a quiet corner of the hall, away from prying eyes.
"Why would you say that?" Julian asked, his voice tight. "Why would you insult his mother like that?"
Isabella looked at him, hurt and confused.
"Oh, so now you are defending him?" she asked.
"I am not defending him," Julian said. "But you crossed a line no one ever touches."
She frowned.
"His mother is dead," Julian continued. "She died giving birth to him."
Isabella froze.
"I didn't know," she whispered.
"You should have been careful," Julian said, exhaustion heavy in his voice. "Now I will pay for everything you just did."
He shook his head.
"Thank you for making my life harder than it already is."
Then he walked away, leaving Isabella standing alone.
Isabella realized she was in deep trouble. If she didn't apologize to Adrian, she would surely pay for it. Swallowing her pride, she scanned the hall until she found him seated calmly, Sebastian beside him.
Her steps were hesitant as she walked toward them.
"Adrian," she said quietly. "I'm sorry. I didn't know anything about your mother. I shouldn't have said that. I was angry because you poured the drink on me, but I'm sorry."
Adrian laughed softly.
He stood up and stepped closer to her, his expression unreadable. When he leaned in, his voice dropped to a chilling whisper.
"You've only made things worse for yourself."
Isabella's breath caught.
"The original plan," Adrian whispered coldly, "was simple. Make him fall in love with you. Cheat on him. Leave him heartbroken."
He paused, his voice lowering further.
"But now, I don't want heartbreak anymore. I want him destroyed. I want his life in ruins."
Her eyes widened.
"You will get pregnant by another man," he said without emotion. "You will tell Julian the child is his. And when the truth comes out, everything will fall apart."
Her knees weakened.
"If you refuse," Adrian added, his gaze hard, "I will make sure you never see the light of day again. That is the price for dragging my mother into your filthy mouth."
He straightened, looked her over once, then turned and walked away.
Isabella remained where she stood, trembling, her chest tight as though the air had been sucked out of her lungs. She couldn't believe what she had just heard.