10. Twilight Cooperation-2

The information he had found on Ethan's laptop was too important, too dangerous to be ignored. The stakes were too high for him to simply stand aside, even if Lady Sachel had made it clear that he was unwelcome to meddle.

He hesitated for only a moment before picking up his phone. Mathew needed to know the full extent of what was happening. He dialed the number, his fingers trembling slightly as he brought the phone to his ear.

"Adrian?" Mathew's voice came through, tinged with concern. "Did you find something?"

Adrian took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Yes, Mathew. I found Ethan's laptop, and I went through some of the files. There's evidence of embezzlement—someone's been stealing money from Twilight Corporation, and it's bad. If this isn't stopped, the company could go bankrupt."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Mathew spoke again, his tone more serious. "Are you sure about this? You're certain of what you found?"

"Yes," Adrian replied. "The files are detailed, and the money's being siphoned off to an offshore account. I don't know who's behind it, but it's happening, Mathew. I also called Lady Sachel to tell her about it, but she... she didn't take it well. She told me to stay out of it and said I had no business meddling."

Mathew was silent for a moment, processing the information. "She said that?" he finally asked, his voice laced with suspicion. "That's... odd. You'd think she'd be concerned, given the circumstances."

"She wasn't," Adrian said softly, a pang of hurt in his voice. "She acted like I was just being a nuisance."

Mathew let out a slow breath. "Adrian, listen to me. Keep that laptop safe. Don't let anyone else get their hands on it, not until I arrive. I'm coming over right now."

Adrian nodded, though Mathew couldn't see him. "Okay. I'll wait for you here."

"Good," Mathew said. "And Adrian... you did the right thing by calling me. This could be a lot bigger than we realize. Just hang in there, alright? I'll be there soon."

After hanging up the phone, Adrian let out a shaky breath. He felt a bit more secure knowing that Mathew was on his way, but the lingering unease gnawed at him. He glanced over at Ethan, who remained motionless, unaware of the turmoil surrounding his company, his family, and his new spouse.

Adrian got up and walked to the washroom, splashing some water on his face to calm his nerves. His reflection stared back at him, pale and tired, with dark circles under his eyes.

As he was drying his face, he heard the door to the ward open. Adrian felt a pang of apprehension as he stepped out of the washroom, hoping it was Mathew.

But it wasn't.

Lady Sachel stood in the doorway, her expression icy and unreadable. Adrian froze, clutching the towel in his hands. He had never seen her look so cold, so determined. She closed the door behind her with a sharp click, and the sound sent a shiver down Adrian's spine.

"Adrian," she began, her voice as cold as her gaze, "I understand that you've found Ethan's laptop."

Adrian nodded slowly, his grip tightening on the towel. "Yes, I have it."

"Good," she said, though there was no warmth in her words. She stepped closer, her eyes never leaving his. "Now, hand it over."

Adrian instinctively took a step back, the towel falling from his hands. "I... I can't do that."

Lady Sachel's eyes narrowed. "And why not? You have no business keeping it. That laptop belongs to Ethan, and by extension, it belongs to this family. You, on the other hand, are just an outsider."

Adrian's heart raced. "Mathew told me to keep it safe until he arrives. He's on his way right now."

A flicker of annoyance crossed Lady Sachel's face, but she quickly masked it with a cold smile. "Mathew is not in charge here, Adrian. I am. Now, give me the laptop, or you'll regret it."

Adrian's breath caught in his throat. He could see the tension in her posture, the barely concealed anger behind her calm exterior. But he couldn't just hand over the laptop—not when he knew how important it was.

"No," Adrian said, his voice trembling but firm. "I can't."

Lady Sachel's expression hardened. "You insolent little—" She reached out, her hand moving faster than Adrian expected. Before he could react, she had grabbed him by the arm, her nails digging into his skin. "You have no idea who you're dealing with," she hissed, pulling him closer. "You think you can defy me? You think you can play the hero?"

Ethan's soul who was watching all the farce felt anger when he saw his mother grabbing his wife.

Yes, He has accepted Adrian as his wife. So no one else had any right over Adrian other than him!

'Leave him alone, Mom.'

He said but no one heard it.

Adrian winced, pain shooting through his arm, but he held his ground. "I'm not trying to defy anyone. I just... I just want to do what's right."

"Right?" she sneered, her grip tightening. "You don't even know what right is."

Before Adrian could respond, Lady Sachel's other hand came down in a swift, harsh motion, striking him across the face. The force of the blow sent him reeling, and he bit down on his lip, feeling the sharp pain as his teeth cut into the soft flesh. Blood welled up in his mouth, the metallic taste bitter on his tongue.

Adrian staggered back, clutching the laptop to his chest as he tried to steady himself. His vision blurred with tears of pain and humiliation, but he refused to let go of the laptop.

Ethan was boiling with anger, he wanted to protect the boy but the boy only got more injured.

Lady Sachel's eyes flashed with anger. "You're nothing but a burden," she spat, stepping closer again. "You think you're protecting Ethan? You're just a child playing games you don't understand. Now, give me that laptop before I—"

The door to the ward burst open, and Mathew rushed in, his eyes wide with shock as he took in the scene before him. "Lady Sachel, what are you doing?"

Never in life had Ethan found his annoying assistant so good and reliable.

He must be given bonus.

She turned on him, her expression twisting with rage. "I'm taking care of what needs to be done, Mathew. This boy is meddling in things he doesn't understand. He has no right to—"

"Enough," Mathew interrupted, his voice firm. He quickly moved to Adrian's side, placing a protective hand on his shoulder. "Adrian did the right thing by telling me about the laptop. He's not meddling—he's trying to help."

Lady Sachel's eyes narrowed as she glared at Mathew. "You think you can take his side over mine?"

"I'm taking Ethan's side," Mathew replied evenly. "And right now, protecting this information is what's best for him. Adrian found something important, something that could save the company. We can't ignore that."

Lady Sachel opened her mouth to argue, but Mathew held up a hand to stop her. "Please, Lady Sachel. We need to handle this carefully. Let me take the laptop, and I'll make sure it's dealt with properly."

There was a tense silence as Lady Sachel stared at Mathew, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. But after a moment, she let out a sharp breath and stepped back. "Fine," she snapped. "But this isn't over."

With one last withering look at Adrian, Lady Sachel turned and stormed out of the ward, the door slamming behind her.

Adrian stood frozen, his heart still pounding in his chest, blood still trickling from his cut lip. Mathew's hand remained on his shoulder, grounding him in the moment.

"You're bleeding," Mathew said softly, his concern evident.

Adrian shook his head, barely able to find his voice. "I'm... I'm fine."

Mathew frowned, but he didn't push the issue. Instead, he gently took the laptop from Adrian's trembling hands. "You did the right thing," he repeated, his voice steady. "Don't let her get to you. You're stronger than you think."

Adrian looked up at Mathew.

"I...I am also his family now."

"You are," Mathew assured him. "You've done more for him than anyone could have done for in his family. Now, let me take care of this. I'll make sure the right people see this information. Ethan's company is going to be safe because of you."

Adrian nodded, but the weight of everything that had happened was too much to process. All he could do was watch as Mathew tucked the laptop under his arm and prepared to leave.

"Get some rest," Mathew said softly. "You've been through enough for one day."

Adrian watched him go, the door closing quietly behind him this time.

Then he walked up to Ethan on the hospital bed and sat down beside him. He gently touched Ethan's cheek and smiled.

"I seem to have helped you...You must thank me after waking up..."