Adrian pulled out a cigarette and a lighter, but he struggled to light it as his blindness made every task ten times harder.
"FUCKING PATHETIC," he roared in irritation, making Alex let out a deep sigh.
"Boss, here… let me help you."
Alex took the lighter from Adrian's hand and lit the cigarette.
Adrian clenched his jaw, not used to depending on others.
"I am not a fucking child who needs help. I can do my own work," Adrian gritted his teeth as he took a long drag from his cigarette.
Alex nodded immediately, even though Adrian couldn't see him.
"Yes, boss. I was just trying to guide you."
Alex kept his voice firm, not letting Adrian feel like he was being helped.
Adrian nodded curtly, blowing the smoke slowly.
His ego didn't let his guard down, even in his most vulnerable state, and Alex knew that very well.
Adrian took out his phone, unlocking it with his fingerprint easily, precise and practiced.
Alex kept a close eye on his actions, ready to help if needed.
The phone unlocked, and the wallpaper came into view.
It was Elena's picture.
Alex looked away, giving Adrian privacy.
Adrian's finger traced over the wallpaper, as if touching her through the screen.
"Soon… I will find you soon. You belong to me. You aren't supposed to leave me like that," Adrian murmured to himself.
His voice was low but filled with a dark promise, which didn't go unnoticed by Alex.
"Alex, send the men to different areas, different countries. Tell them to blend in with ordinary people. No one must suspect anything. Enemies are everywhere, and Elena is out there without any protection.
Make it quick."
Adrian's voice came out cold and commanding as he tucked his phone back into his pocket.
"On it, boss."
Alex made calls to their special force, telling them everything in detail as Adrian ordered.
After a few minutes, Alex cut the call and spoke, "Boss, it's done."
Adrian nodded curtly, his eyebrows knitting together, showing that something was on his mind.
Before Alex could ask, Adrian spoke in his commanding tone, "Alex, call one of our best spies and tell him to keep a close eye on Nikolai's every move. I don't trust that son of a bitch. He will definitely try to find Elena before me, and I can't let that happen."
Alex did as Adrian said, giving their spy a strict order to keep a sharp eye on Nikolai and his men.
After what felt like decades, the car stopped, indicating that they had arrived at the hospital.
Alex helped Adrian get out of the car.
His men immediately surrounded him, guiding him securely inside the hospital.
But Adrian's mind was somewhere else.
He kept thinking about Elena—where she was, what she was doing, and how she would survive alone.
But Adrian didn't know that Elena was not as fragile as he thought.
Time and situation had made her strong.
And she had become stronger than before.