That year, not long after breaking up with Serena Stanton, Adrian left for Switzerland.
It happened right as the company was in turmoil and Beatrice Bishop's health was failing. He traveled across continents handling business, and in just a few months, stabilized the situation with ruthless efficiency.
The family elders, upon learning he'd set aside his overseas ventures to officially take over the group's core business, were all smiles. When he returned to Valeray for Chinese New Year, the old house was lit up all night, the halls filled with toasts and laughter—vivid, crowded, and boisterous.
The city remained as dazzling as ever; the neon glittered like it did before, showing no sign of change.
Yet Adrian never again drove across half the city just to catch a glimpse of Serena Stanton.
In fact, for the whole New Year, in and out of those gatherings, he didn't hear anyone mention Serena's name even once.
