Chapter 3 Did You Lose An Earring

In her drowsy slumber, Celeste felt as if a pair of large hands were gently resting on her face. It was so big, so gentle, and gave such a sense of security. She briefly forgot her troubles and had a good night's sleep. In the early morning, the sunlight spilled onto the head of the bed, and Celeste slowly opened her eyes in the warm glow. Everything that met her eyes was unfamiliar... Celeste's thoughts drifted back to yesterday's events, her heart aflutter with apprehension. Only when she looked down to see her clothes intact did she let out a sigh of relief. She was simply covered in wounds, and the pain was unbearable. Celeste tried to push herself up from the bed, but the pain made her collapse back down. “Don't move around. You're not allowed to get out of bed yet!” Suddenly, a deep, frosty male voice echoed in her ears. Celeste was taken aback. Her gaze swept the room before finally landing on a tall man standing by the expansive floor-to-ceiling window. The man stood tall and upright, the warm light falling on him, casting a gentle hue over his figure. Hadrian turned around, slowly making his way toward Celeste. A profound gaze enveloped Celeste. “Sorry, my driver hit you. You should stay here to recover from your injuries for the time being.” As he drew nearer, Celeste gradually got a clear view of his face. The man had strikingly defined features, with sharp eyebrows and sparkling eyes. He carried himself with an air of grace and charm. His broad shoulders tapered down to a slender waist... His sun-kissed skin radiated a captivating allure, hinting at the toned abs subtly visible beneath his white shirt. In essence, this was a man whose entire being radiated irresistible charm. However, the man was enveloped by an icy, stern aura. It seemed as if a single frown from him could annihilate millions of enemies. Celeste was certain it was her first time seeing him, yet a profound sense of familiarity resonated within her. “You are...” “Hadrian Lloyd.” The man spoke in a clear, resonant voice. Celeste quietly repeated to herself, a profound stir coursing through her heart. Hadrian Lloyd! Is he the same Hadrian, the head of the wealthiest family in Yannopolis, the Lloyd family, and the CEO of the prestigious Lloyd Corporation and Regal Group? Rumors have it that he's cold and arrogant. His methods are ruthlessly extreme, almost like those of a bloodthirsty demon. But after his car accidentally hit me, he took me home to recover. He isn't all that bad! Celeste came to know about him through Shaun, who had mentioned him a few times. Shaun had spoken of a particularly formidable uncle, a man with ruthless strategies that struck fear into his heart. Later on, she had also spotted him in news from various countries. No wonder she found him familiar. “Don't move,” he ordered, “I've arranged for someone to help you freshen up and get dressed.” After he finished speaking, the man left. Subsequently, two housekeepers came in to attend to Celeste. “Ms. Xenos, you're truly fortunate. It's the first time Mr. Hadrian has brought a lady home. He spent the entire night by your bedside last night! He's extremely concerned about you!” “Indeed, Ms. Xenos. It was Mr. Hadrian who personally carried you back last night. You're the first woman he's ever carried!” “Last night, the way he treated you was as if he was afraid you'd break if he held you too tight...” Listening to the housekeepers' chatter, Celeste felt utterly bewildered. “Did you guys misunderstand... How could Mr. Lloyd and I have... when we first met?” “There's no misunderstanding!” The housekeepers exchanged glances, each breaking into a smile as if hinting at the joyful event on the horizon. After the housekeepers had helped Celeste freshen up, Hadrian entered the room once again. Just moments ago, he overheard those conversations right outside the door. Indeed, he had spent a night with Celeste, mainly to ascertain whether or not he truly had no aversion toward her. The truth was, to him, Celeste was indeed extraordinary. “Ms. Xenos, I have something to ask you.” The man emanated a natural aura of dominance, so powerful that it made Celeste unconsciously yield to him, even her demeanor becoming more subdued. She obediently nodded. “Go ahead.” Hadrian stood by the bed, his gaze cool and intense, deeply fixated on Celeste. “Did you go to Royal Inn yesterday?” Celeste was taken aback. Yesterday, she had lost herself in Royal Inn... Why would Hadrian ask this? Celeste's heart began to race uncontrollably. She subtly tightened her grip on her clothes, feigning nonchalance as she spoke. “I... I've never been there.” The man's gaze grew even more intense. “Have you ever lost an earring?” Celeste instinctively reached for her ears, only to discover that the earrings she had been wearing were missing. Her breathing became noticeably more rapid due to her anxiety. She felt a pang of sorrow deep within her. It was an incredibly precious gift from her mother on her eighteenth birthday. “I've never lost an earring before...” Celeste managed to say, stifling her heartache. “Why did you ask these questions?” With a serious expression, Hadrian responded, “I'm looking for a woman who visited Royal Inn yesterday and also lost an earring.” Before he finished, he added earnestly, “She means a lot to me!” Hadrian's face was frosty, instilling an unconscious fear in Celeste. She had indeed visited Royal Inn yesterday, and she had certainly lost her earring there... Was she going to admit it? Rumors had it that Hadrian was heartless and ruthless. He wouldn't seek out someone without a reason. Celeste's immediately thought he might be wanting to seek revenge... “I'm not sure. I've never been to Royal Inn.” Celeste's voice trembled with fear, her gaze nervously shifting toward the window. Upon hearing this, Hadrian deeply furrowed his brows. Last night, Yves had already investigated the guest records of Royal Inn. There was no sign of Celeste. Despite all odds, he refused to give up. He was convinced that his sense of familiarity with Celeste wasn't baseless, so he kept probing and questioning her repeatedly. Currently, Celeste was repeatedly denying. Hadrian's gaze fell upon the necklace resting on Celeste's collarbone. “Can I borrow your necklace for a few days?” Hadrian decided to consult a jewelry expert to determine whether the necklace and that earring were part of a set. “Uh...” Celeste stuttered nervously, “This is a counterfeit. It's not valuable.” The necklace was the only thing her mother had left her. On her eighteenth birthday, when her mother presented it to her as a gift, she was told that the necklace held the key to the mystery of her origins. Before she had the chance to ask further, her mother was involved in a car accident and fell into a vegetative state. With her father now gone, the mystery of her origins might forever remain unsolved. A hint of disappointment flashed across Hadrian's eyes. “Get some good rest.” With those words, he closed the door and left. After what felt like a brutal battle, Celeste's back was drenched in cold sweat. Luckily, she had managed to deceive Hadrian successfully. However... could she really be the one that Hadrian was looking for? When had she ever met Hadrian, and how had she become such an important person to him?