Chapter 458: Adrian Stone Burst Through the Front Door

"Mother!" Adrian Stone burst through the front door, his military boots thudding against the hardwood floor. "Would you care to explain why Elena was suddenly transferred to the frontlines? She's just an intern! Since when do they send interns to war zones?"

The air in the living room turned glacial.

Sylvia Stone's teacup trembled in her hands, spilling droplets onto the embroidered tablecloth.

Owen Stone sprang to his feet. "Brother! Watch your tone! The front needs medics—why shouldn't she go?"

"Needs medics?" Adrian's medals glinted coldly under the chandelier as he scoffed. "Out of thousands at the military hospital, they specifically needed one intern?"

Elena Ward rested a calming hand on her husband's rigid forearm.

"Adrian, dear—" Sylvia began.

"It was my doing." Nathaniel Stone emerged from the study, his voice steady.

Adrian's gaze turned arctic.

"Dr. Ward," Victor addressed Elena directly, "I orchestrated this. As a father, I have every right to vet my son's choices."

Elena's lips curved upward.

"Mr. Stone," she said brightly, "then I truly must thank you."

The room froze.

"Without your interference, Adrian and I might still be dragging our feet about marriage." Her smile deepened as she linked arms with Adrian. "Thanks to you, I'm now a licensed physician married to the love of my life." She tilted her head. "So you see, I'm certainly not the unhappy one here."

Adrian's tense shoulders finally relaxed.

"If Elena's satisfied," he said, sweeping his gaze across the stunned faces, "then I'm quite pleased too."

Sylvia's face drained of color.