Mia Kane’s heart jolted when she heard that.

’What does he mean by that? He just bit me a couple of times, that’s all. Is it really that serious? And what’s this about being a part of it *every single day*?’

Mia Kane quickly realized what was happening and froze.

Her gaze trembled as she looked at Adrian Preston, and it just so happened that he was looking right back at her.

Their eyes met, and she instantly understood that Adrian had misunderstood.

She quickly explained, "N-no... it’s not like that. Nothing happened between us, Adrian... You have to believe me."

"Hahaha..."

Chase Lockwood laughed. "See, Adrian? To please you, she’s even willing to tell lies like that."

Adrian Preston’s face was dark as he silently led her to the car.

The front of the car was already deformed. It was hard to imagine how frantic Adrian must have been, ramming the car through the iron gate without a second thought.

He opened the car door, settled her into the passenger seat, and even thoughtfully helped her buckle her seatbelt.

"Adrian..."

She subconsciously gripped his sleeve.

Before she could finish, he cut her off.

"We can talk about it when we get back."

His voice was gentle, with no hint of blame.

He closed the door, and she thought he would get into the driver’s seat and head home.

But instead, he turned and walked back toward the main gate of Lockwood Manor.

The iron gate was wrecked, and those men were no match for him. He advanced as if unopposed.

Agonized screams echoed one after another from inside the manor.

Mia Kane listened, a chill running down her spine.

She didn’t dare to delay. She quickly got out of the car, ran inside, and saw Adrian pinning Chase Lockwood to the sofa, his fists landing squarely on his face.

"Haha, if you’ve got the guts, then kill me... Kill me, Adrian... If you can’t, then you’re nothing but a coward!"

"This is the woman you chose. Who knows how many men have had their way with her. When I had my turn... I was disgusted. She’s so filthy! But, she owes me too much. I had to get a piece, or I’d be losing out."

"Chase Lockwood, go to hell—"

Adrian’s voice seemed to come from the depths of Hell.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he had lost all reason.

He gathered all his strength and slammed his fist down toward Chase Lockwood’s chest.

Mia Kane watched from the side, her heart pounding in terror!

’He’s really going to kill him!’

She threw caution to the wind and rushed over, grabbing his hand tightly.

"Let go—"

he roared, turning to look at Mia Kane with a murderous glare.

"You can’t keep hitting him! You’ll really kill him."

"Mia Kane, are you worried about me? Tsk tsk, you were my loyal little puppy for three years, after all."

Chase Lockwood’s face was covered in blood, but it didn’t detract from his handsome features. His devil-may-care expression was infuriating enough to make one grind their teeth.

’I never realized Chase Lockwood had such a talent for being a scoundrel.’

"Adrian, what’s wrong, didn’t you eat? Keep hitting me, go on, kill me!"

Chase Lockwood had clearly gone mad too. Seeing Adrian fly into a rage was immensely satisfying for him.

Now, he had finally scored a point!

"You, go die!"

Provoked beyond reason, Adrian shoved Mia Kane aside.

Mia Kane fell heavily to the floor. Her tailbone hurt so much it went numb, and her head slammed into the edge of the coffee table.

Blood immediately started to flow.

She felt dizzy, but she quickly snapped back to her senses when she saw Adrian land two more punches on Chase Lockwood. This time, he couldn’t even manage a taunt; he was on the verge of death.

Adrian was about to hit him again, his fists covered in blood—all of it Chase Lockwood’s.

Ignoring her own injuries, Mia Kane stopped him again.

"Adrian, calm down! You’re really going to kill someone!"

"Mia Kane... you feel sorry for me, don’t you..."

"Shut up!"

Mia Kane was furious. ’What is he still trying to prove?!’

’Even if it came down to a life for a life, it wouldn’t be worth it for Adrian to throw his away over a scumbag like that.’

"Adrian! Stop hitting him!"

She gripped his arm for dear life.

"Let me go!"

His voice was hoarse and heavy, filled with absolute authority.

"No!" Mia Kane’s voice was firm. "If you want to beat him to death, you’ll have to kill me first!"

To get Adrian to calm down, she had to go all out.

Sure enough, her words made Adrian calm down.

His expression was grim, his deep gaze falling upon her, full of complex emotions.

He didn’t say a word, just got up and left.

"Cough, cough..."

Chase Lockwood coughed repeatedly, spitting up a pool of crimson blood.

The warm blood splattered onto her hand.

"What are you all standing around gawking for? Get him to a hospital!"

No one dared to call the police about what happened tonight.

It was true that Adrian had beaten the man half to death, but it was also true that Chase Lockwood had tried to force himself on her.

Even if he didn’t succeed, it was still attempted rape.

Mia Kane looked in the direction where Adrian had disappeared, extremely anxious. Just as she was about to chase after him, Chase Lockwood suddenly grabbed the hem of her clothes.

He stared at her stubbornly. He was clearly in extreme pain, his face twisted and his body weak, but he still held on and wouldn’t let go.

Mia Kane couldn’t even be bothered to look at him. She ruthlessly pried his hand away and ran after Adrian.

Adrian was already in the car but hadn’t driven off. He was obviously waiting for her.

She quickly got in.

"Adrian..."

She had just started to speak when Adrian slammed his foot on the gas, peeling out at an incredible speed.

Fortunately, it was late at night, and this was a suburban area with few people or cars.

There were barely any cars on the main road.

She gripped the handle in fear, her heart in her throat. The feeling was especially intense on the downhill slopes, a strong sense of weightlessness washing over her.

"Adrian... can you slow down... I-I’m scared..."

But her voice was very soft, as if her throat was being squeezed, and she didn’t dare to speak too loudly.

She didn’t know if Adrian had heard her, but the car did slow down, which let her breathe a sigh of relief.

’He must have heard me.’

Suddenly, Adrian slammed on the brakes, screeching the car to a halt on the side of the road.

The powerful inertia threw her forward before she was flung heavily back into her seat.

Her head, which had already been hit once, now slammed against the headrest, and she felt completely dazed.

Before she could recover, Adrian unbuckled his seatbelt, suddenly leaned over, and captured her lips in a deep kiss.

He kissed her so forcefully it felt like a punishment. Her tongue was cut, her lips went numb, and all the fresh air was plundered from her lungs.

Starved for oxygen, she was forced to push him away with all her might.

She gasped for breath, like a fish washed ashore, on the verge of death.

He stared at her bright red, swollen lips—the traces of a brutal passion.

’He wished he could make her cry right then and there!’

"You care about Chase Lockwood that much!"

he said, his voice hoarse.

"What do you mean I care about Chase Lockwood?"

She froze.

’I didn’t let him beat Chase Lockwood to death for his own sake. It wasn’t worth it for him to have a man’s life on his hands, especially over someone like that. Besides, if something really happened to Chase Lockwood, the entire Lockwood Group would be thrown into chaos. And Adrian, with his background as a police officer, would surely regret it for the rest of his life once he calmed down. Ultimately, I was only thinking of Adrian; it had absolutely nothing to do with Chase Lockwood!’

"You couldn’t bear to see him die. No matter how disappointed you are in him, no matter how upset, even if you say you don’t love him, his shadow is always in your heart!"

"He was your first love. You’ve always seen him through rose-colored glasses, haven’t you?"

"Mia Kane, you little liar. You just can’t let him go."

As Adrian spoke, his emotions surged. The corners of his eyes reddened, and he kissed her again, this time with a crazed desperation.