REDEEMING THE OUTCAST SON OF A BILLIONAIRE

, it wasn't far from where Adrian had spent the night and she was sure he would not have gone far since he had no means to cater for anything at the momen

equest. "Me?" he asked, pointing at himse

mall smile. "Unless you've got

dding. "Sure," he said, getting up.

he crisp evening. The streetlights cast a soft glow over the

e only sound the rhythmic crunch of their footsteps

u're the first person to treat me like a

r expression calm but cu

iams, the disgraced son of the great Henry Williams. Th

urned to face him. "You're

used by her response

imply. "And from what I've heard, yo

is chest tightening. "

d news spreads faster than a wildfire. Half

, looking dow

ve everything I hear. Life is unpredictable, Adrian. People are quick

eight of his father's rejection, his friends' betrayal, and Anita's coldness. To hea

to me?" he asked, his voi

cause I know what it's li

ad, curiosity piqued

t of college to take care of her. People thought I was lazy or that I couldn't handle sch

ct for Grace deepening. "I'm so

p to conclusions about people. And if there's one thing I've lea

er heavy but comfortable. As they neared Grace's modes

l, but I can tell you're not as bad as people are saying. Whatever

of hope sparking in his chest. "

use until you figure t

d, setting her keys on the

was going to spend the night and a few more days but she gla

wling mansion he had grown up in, with its marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and en

ct," he sai

d. "You're ea

olded blanket from the backrest. "This'll be

uickly. "This is more t

. "I'll fix us something to eat. Don't

rian had once taken for granted. But as he sat at Grace's tiny kitchen table, listening to her talk a

at him as she stirred her noodles. "Bu

is head. "It's

he felt a sense of normalcy. No judgment, no p

he ceiling. The blanket Grace had given him was worn but wa

im light from a streetlamp filtered through the thin curtains. The apartme

nts that had led him here, the betrayal, the scandal, and the cold rejection from everyone he once

e room. His mind churned with ideas, desperate to find a way to

avenue see

o what had really happened that night at the hotel. He couldn't afford to hire someone to

He had once been surrounded by as much as he needed and

skills aside from business management, and as things stood, no company would dare

, his mind racing. Was t

ide began to stir with the early signs

ld end? Reduced to nothin

He couldn't let Benson win. He couldn't let his fat

ng to his lap. If he wanted to clear his

m was, whe

ng shadows on the floor. He needed money, but he also needed allies pe

hts turne

him with dignity despite knowing who he was. She wasn't connected to his world of wealth

she he

w over the modest space. Adrian sat on the couch, the blanket draped loosely over his sho

fast. She glanced at Adrian, noting the distant look in his eyes. She didn't

ace asked softly, b

led. "Coffee, please," he replied,

ling with the sound of sizzling eggs in the pan. She worked efficiently, moving between the st

't know how to climb back up. But there was something different about him. Despite

nd toast on the small table near the cou

simply, her to

ch growling despite himself. "Thank y

quietly. She didn't press him with questions or try to make conversation. S

ee, she glanced at the clock

g over her shoulder. She paused near the door, Adrian nodded, g

"You're welcome. Try not t

ts. It was the first time he was smiling after all the misfortunes he had faced, Grace was a kind, b

ife and prove his innocence. But the road ahead seemed

e and her grandmother, smiling in happier times. He thought about G

what life was like for people who didn't have the same privileges. Grace had shown him kindness wi

f to hope. He didn't have all the answers yet, bu

p the apartment. It was a small gesture, but it

her spirits steady. She opened the door to find Adrian sitting at the

ian said, standing

glanced at the screen and saw the hospital's n

ent and steady, "your grandmother's condition has

en. "I'm on my way," she r

d headed for the door. Adrian stood frozen

e asked, his tone

said, her voice breaking. "I

" Adrian said firmly,

ns as they raced to the hospital. Grace's mind was a whirlwind of fear and despe

d through the entrance, Adrian close behind. A

risp white sheets. Her breathing was shallow, but her

e said softly,

aze shifted to Adrian, and the smile deepened. "So you

sion. "Grandma, no, it