At the same time, in the private room, Riley rubbed her sore eyes after spending the entire night reading calculus. She got up and splashed some cold water on her face in the restroom to wake herself up.
When she came back, she noticed Lucas's phone flashing on the table.
She picked it up casually. The caller ID showed Zachary.
The moment she answered, a furious roar exploded from the other end.
"Lucas! Where the heck are you?! Adrian is having an episode—get over here now! I can't hold him down anymore!"
What?!
Riley's eyes sharpened instantly. She grabbed her medical bag from the sofa and rushed out.
The location Zachary sent was Clearbrooke Estate.
She didn't hesitate. Jumping into the car, she sped all the way back.
If I'd known he would relapse, I would never have stayed out…
Her car shot into Clearbrooke Estate like a streak of pink lightning.
The guards blinked in confusion.
"What just flew past us…?"
She entered through the west gate—security there was looser—so she made it inside without obstruction.
But the moment she stepped in, she ran straight into Zachary.
His clothes were torn. His pants were ripped. One shoe was missing. His face was covered in bruises, and his hair looked like a bird's nest.
Riley stared at him like she'd seen a ghost. "You got into a fight?"
Zachary looked like he was about to cry. "A fight? I got beaten, okay?!"
Riley didn't waste time. "Where's Adrian?"
"Inside." Zachary touched his swollen face, heart aching.
If this handsome face gets ruined, I'm going to bite him to death…
Before he could say more, Riley had already dashed past him like her life depended on it.
"Hey! Going in now will only make him worse! Aren't you afraid of dying?!"
Zachary hurried after her.
Inside the luxurious villa, everything was in ruins.
The elegance from before was gone. Anything that could be smashed had been destroyed. Even the staircase was littered with shattered porcelain.
Hearing the noise upstairs, Riley ran up immediately.
Adrian was in their bedroom.
Just as she reached the door—
BANG!
The door slammed violently.
She almost slipped and tumbled down the stairs, but Zachary caught her from behind.
Riley pushed the door open—
—and froze.
Adrian stood by the wardrobe, half-buried in her clothes.
In his hand… he was holding her dress.
"What the heck?!"
Riley's face flushed under her mask.
"Put that down!" she snapped through gritted teeth.
Inside, the man who had been tearing the place apart suddenly turned his head.
His eyes were blood-red.
Like a starving beast that hadn't eaten in days.
He stared at her, one piece of underwear in each hand.
"A-Adrian… calm down…" Riley swallowed.
She didn't dare yell anymore.
One glance at the wrecked bed behind him told her everything—she was no match for him right now.
Adrian narrowed his crimson eyes, tossing the items aside casually.
Then he began walking toward her.
Step by step.
Dangerous. Oppressive.
"W-we're dead… He's angry…" Zachary whispered, trembling behind her. "Miss Sheena, let's run for our lives…"
Riley was scared too.
Her wide eyes shimmered faintly.
She had never imagined his episodes would be this terrifying.
This wasn't the Adrian she knew.
It was like he had become someone else entirely.
She stepped back slowly, clutching the silver needles in her hand—but she didn't dare move.
If she attacked and failed, it would only enrage him further.
But just as she reached the doorway—
A hand suddenly shot out.
Grabbing her wrist.
BANG!
Her back slammed against the door.