"Don't forget the deal you promised."

It was signed by Bennett.

"What's this?" Peering over, Adrian caught sight of the note, and his curiosity surged. “Is this from Bennett? What did you promise him? It better not be something about Ariana. You shouldn't be making those kinds of promises!"

Holden's gaze fell, and he was lost in thought.

Adrian misinterpreted Holden's silence as an admission, and his expression grew troubled.

He felt sorry for Ariana.

"What are you talking about? I'd rather die than do that to Ariana,"

Holden retorted sharply, his voice tinged with annoyance. "This deal involves arms trading. The Olson family are trying to dominate a sector in Eleymond."

He then crumpled the piece of paper and threw it into the trash can.

“Really?” Adrian's voice carried a trace of doubt.

“Why would I lie to you? You're not Bennett," Holden snapped, his tone biting.

This seemed to calm Adrian. However, his mind suddenly raced back to a disturbing memory of the demolished metal house, prompting him to ask Holden if Moss was dead.

"When I got there, all I saw were ruins. I spotted some blood on the ground and feared it was yours," Adrian said, his body tensing at the recollection. "If that wasn't your blood, could it have been Moss a Holden responded calmly, “I'm not sure whose blood that is. Honestly, it's better if he's dead. But if he's alive, as long as I make it back to Eleymond, he won't be a problem."

Adrian nodded, understanding the reasoning. Even if Moss had extensive connections in Conata, he wouldn't stand a chance against the influential Fredrick family in Eleymond.

Putting their concerns aside for a moment, they engaged in sporadic conversation. However, Adrian's dizziness soon returned, hitting him harder than ever.

Struggling for balance, Adrian made his way back to his seat, where he slumped awkwardly. “My head is throbbing. I need to rest."

“Didn't you get a checkup by a doctor?" Holden inquired, his voice laced with concern.

"It's probably nothing," Adrian replied, pressing a hand to his forehead. “Probably just a reaction to the injection. I'll be fine after a nap."

Before Holden could respond, Adrian's hand dropped, and he drifted into sleep.

An hour later.