Chapter 20 Chapter 20: Unraveling Chapter 20: Unraveling Adrian stepped through the towering entrance of his family's grand estate. His polished shoes clicked against the floor, only to be drowned out by the sharp, grating screech of metal dragging behind him. A baseball bat glinted under the warm light of the chandeliers which carved an invisible path as it trailed along the smooth surface. His grip on the handle was firm while his knuckles turned white from the pressure. The usual easy charm that defined him was nowhere to be seen. Instead, his amber eyes burned with unrestrained fury as his face darkened with rage. Santiago, the Blackwood family's ever-loyal butler, was already waiting. He had served the household for decades and had seen his fair share of tempers. But something about Adrian's demeanor tonight, something about the quiet, simmering rage in his movements-put him on high alert. Still, Santiago did not falter. He stepped forward with his usual calm precision while his hands were clasped neatly in front of him as he greeted, "Good evening, young master. It is a pleasure to have you visit your family home." His voice was steady, polite and measured. But his sharp eyes were trained on Adrian's every move, calculating, waiting. Adrian didn't spare him a glance. His steps were slow and deliberate as each one carried the weight of a man barely holding himself together. He stopped just a few feet away as his fingers tightened around the bat. "Where is that f*****g dirty old woman?" Adrian's voice was low but lethal and his words felt like a blade stabbing through the soul. Santiago remained expressionless, though the maids nearby stiffened at the venom laced in his words. There was no need to ask who he was referring to. "The Madam is in the east wing, young master," Santiago answered smoothly and calmly. Adrian's jaw clenched. The muscles in his forearm tensed as he adjusted his grip on the bat. Without another word, he turned sharply on his heel with the bat scraping against the marble once more as he stalked toward the east wing. Santiago exhaled slowly, barely perceptible, before tilting his head slightly. At his subtle signal, the nearby staff scattered, their footsteps hurried but quiet. None of them wanted to be in the way-not when the young master looked like a ticking time bomb, seconds from detonation. Tonight, the Blackwood estate would not be peaceful. And he was right. The first blow came without hesitation. Adrian swung the bat and the sharp crack of shattering glass echoed through the grand hall as the large family portrait crashed to the ground. The ornate gold frame splintered on impact. The smiling faces of the Blackwood family were now marred by a web of fractured glass. His own painted image stared back at him from the broken shards. But he didn't stop there. The baseball bat was no longer just a weapon, it was an extension of his fury. So Adrian turned as his muscles coiled with pent-up aggression, and swung again-this time at the delicate antique vase sitting atop a pedestal. The porcelain exploded into fragments, scattering across the polished floor like fallen stars. Another swing. Another crash. The pristine walls of the estate that were once immaculate, bore the brunt of his anger as the bat slammed against them, 7/3 leaving deep dents and streaks of paint scraped away by the force. Expensive decorative sconces crumpled upon impact, their light flickering out as they hit the floor in ruin. The echo of destruction filled the vast space and the sound ricocheted off the high ceilings. The staff who hadn't managed to escape flinched at every impact, whispering prayers under their breath that he wouldn't come their way. Santiago remained standing at a careful distance, unmoving. He had witnessed the Blackwood family's dysfunction for years. Had seen the mess hidden behind their polished reputation but this... this was something else entirely. Before Adrian could smash another expensive decor, Carol appeared in alarm. "what the hell is wrong with you Adrian?! Those are expensive!" His mother yelled at him. Carol Blackwood's shrill yell echoed through the grand hall as she stepped into view, her expression twisted in alarm and outrage. Adrian's amber eyes snapped to her, burning with barely contained fury. The bat slipped from his grasp, clattering loudly onto the marble floor, but he didn't need it anymore. He charged. 1 Carol barely had time to react before her bodyguards moved in, blocking his path with solid, immovable bodies. Adrian's momentum was halted as one of them shoved him back, but the fire in his eyes didn't waver. If anything, it only burned hotter. For a brief moment, Carol's face paled, the realization sinking in-if not for the intervention of her guards, her own son might have wrung her neck without hesitation. A bitter, humorless laugh escaped Adrian as he steadied himself. "Hiding behind your guards, Mother?" he sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "I just wanted to say hi." Then, without warning, he lunged. The nearest bodyguard barely had time to react before Adrian's fist connected with his jaw, the sickening crack of bone-on-bone echoing through the grand hall. The man staggered back, clearly underestimating the sheer force behind Adrian's hit. If only the media could see him now-their beloved golden boy, the heartthrob they worshipped-fighting like a rabid beast. His well-groomed persona shattered, revealing something raw, something unhinged. "Restrain him!" one of the guards barked, but Adrian was already moving again. Another guard reached for him, but Adrian twisted, using his momentum to drive his elbow into the man's ribs. A choked grunt escaped the guard's lips as he stumbled. Adrian didn't stop there. He ripped a broken piece of porcelain from a shattered vase on the floor and hurled it, the jagged shard slicing across another man's cheek. Blood welled from the wound, staining his crisp black suit. Carol watched, stunned silent, as her son tore through her security like a man possessed. Her Adrian. Her carefully crafted, obedient son. He was unraveling before her eyes. Adrian moved like a storm. As another guard lunged at him, he sidestepped effortlessly and had his knee drive up into the man's gut. A pained wheeze escaped the guard's lips as he crumpled, but Adrian didn't stop there. Another came from behind, attempting to subdue him in a chokehold, but Adrian was faster. He grabbed the man's wrist, twisted it at an unnatural angle, and sent him sprawling to the marble floor with a sharp grunt of pain. The final two 2/3 Chapter 20 Unraveling +15 Points> guards hesitated for a fraction of a second long enough for Adrian to strike. He grabbed the nearest one by the collar, yanking him forward and slammed his forehead against the man's nose. Blood spurted instantly, and the guard collapsed. The last one raised his fists, as if still foolishly believing he had a chance. Adrian scoffed as his lip curled in amusement before he delivered a brutal punch straight to the man's jaw. The crack of impact echoed through the grand hall, and the guard crumpled, unconscious before he even hit the floor. Carol stood frozen with her wide eyes darting across the bodies of her elite security-now either writhing in pain or completely incapacitated. And then her gaze lifted. She could see how predatory and unforgiving Adrian looked at her. Before she could react, he moved. Carol gasped as his fingers wrapped around her throat, lifting her off the ground with terrifying ease. Her manicured nails clawed at his wrist, desperate for air as her feet dangled helplessly. The room spun around her and the edges of her vision blurred around her. Adrian's grip tightened. "This is the last time I will ever hear from you interfering in my life," he warned. Carol choked as her hands trembled against his iron hold. She tried to speak, to beg, but nothing came out except a strangled gasp. Adrian stared at her for a long moment, watching as the woman who had manipulated Noelle into leaving him, beg for her life. And then, just as her struggle began to weaken, he let go. Carol collapsed onto the floor, gasping desperately for air with her body trembling. Her once-perfect composure was in shambles-her dress disheveled, her lipstick smeared, her usually sharp eyes wide with fear. Adrian didn't so much as blink. He merely watched, towering over her like an executioner who had chosen at the last moment to spare his victim. "You're nothing to me," he said flatly. Then, without sparing her another glance, he turned on his heel and walked away, stepping over the unconscious guards as if they were mere obstacles in his path. Carol coughed violently, pressing a trembling hand to her throat as she watched him disappear through the grand doors. For the first time in her life, his own son terrified her. Title: "I Had a Baby without You" by CrushReel In this ongoing romantic tale, Scarlett, a once curvy waitress, crosses paths with Brandon, a billionaire CEO, after five years. Their unforgettable night of passion led to Scarlett's mysterious disappearance. Now returned, transformed and unrecognizable, she encounters Brandon once more, sparking a complex reunion. Set against the backdrop of an intriguing plot filled with themes of romance, modern twists, and rekindled connections, this story delves into the intertwined lives of two characters from different worlds. The alluring elements of contract lovers, luxurious mansions, and office dynamics add layers to their evolving relationship. What sets "I Had a Baby without You" apart is its fusion of sweet romance and glow-up transformations within the confines of a compelling narrative. Dive into this modern love story rich in emotions and complexities that promises to captivate readers. Available to read online at CrushReel for those seeking an immersive romantic journey.