My Stepbrother, My Enemy {BL}-Chapter 143: Ruination

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Kris kept talking despite Adrien’s demand, her voice growing tighter as she struggled to hold herself together. "They wanted to make him look like some boy-crazed gay slut pretending to be an innocent goody two shoes," she whispered. "That’s why the video was going to be made. To ruin his new reputation forever. To make everyone think he was secretly asking for it."

Adrien stood motionless at first, just staring at Kris, as if the ground had just dropped away beneath him. But then something inside him snapped, a deep, raw feeling, something fierce—and he changed instantly, and it was terrifying.

His body stiffened, shoulders rising as though they were constricting around an overwhelming rush of emotion. His jaw clenched so tightly that it twitched, struggling to contain the force within him. He took a slow breath, his chest rising, but it never settled. It trembled inside him, making him feel like a coiled predator trying not to burst.

His expression, usually filled with mockery or amusement, darkened into something chilling and deadly. The warmth was gone, and so was the carefree charm that usually served as his shield. There was nothing playful about him now. Nothing human in his gaze. It was pure anger—quiet, controlled, and so intensely powerful that Kris instinctively took a step back.

She’d seen Adrien annoyed, even furious during basketball practice, but this? This was something else. This was dangerous.

"Where," he said, his voice low and strained, as if the words were being dragged through his teeth, "the hell is Noah now?"

Kris swallowed hard, gripping her drink like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. "I’m not... I’m not completely sure," she stammered, avoiding his gaze. "B–but I think—no, I’m almost certain—they’re taking him to Patrick’s family workshop. It’s small and...um, hardly ever used. The one on E–east Curneil Road."

Adrien didn’t blink, his gaze sharp enough to pierce through her.

Kris kept talking, her voice shaky. "You need to act fast, Adrien. Please. I can’t—I couldn’t live with the guilt if I didn’t tell someone and something happened to her. I know I’ve messed up sometimes, but I would never be a part of... of rape."

Adrien let out a slow, furious breath.

He wasted no time.

He spun around and stormed out of the bathroom, slamming the door so hard that a few people nearby jumped, staring after him. But Adrien didn’t notice anyone. He moved through the hallway like a force of nature, pushing past people without apology, without hesitation.

They muttered protests, demanding to know what his problem was, but Adrien was deaf to their words. His focus had narrowed down to one thing, one terrifying and unbearable truth: Noah was in danger.

His steps quickened, almost frantic, as he cut through groups of laughing students, stumbling drunks, and couples swaying in corners. The music thumped in his head, but it only fueled his fury, each beat echoing the frantic pounding of his heart.

This couldn’t be happening.

Thoughts raced through his mind—messy, chaotic ideas colliding as he struggled to keep calm. He couldn’t believe his so-called friends had gone this far, couldn’t comprehend how anyone could look at Noah, soft, shy, kind, easily flustered, sarcastic—and choose to destroy his life for fun... or revenge... or whatever twisted reason they had.

By the time he pushed past the last group of dancers and approached the front door, his hands were shaking with the intensity of his feelings. He didn’t even bother to hide it. He couldn’t.

He had to get to him.

He had to do it now. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

And God help anyone who dared to touch Noah Valentine.

Adrien sprinted across the stone driveway, the cool night air hitting his overheated skin. He moved with a speed that felt reckless, repeating Patrick’s family workshop address like a mantra he couldn’t afford to forget.

East Curneil Road.

East Curneil Road.

East Curneil Road.

He jumped into the driver’s seat, slamming the car door so hard it rattled. His fingers trembled as he shoved the keys into the ignition. The engine roared to life, and without wasting a moment, he shifted into reverse.

But just as he hit the gas, a figure darted in front of the headlights.

"Fuck!" Adrien slammed on the brakes so hard his seatbelt jerked against his chest. The car skidded to a stop inches away from the person, and his heart raced as he leaned forward, anger lacing his voice.

"Shit! Can you please watch where the fuck you’re going?!"

The guy stumbled back, hands raised apologetically, looking just as startled. "Sorry! I didn’t—"

Adrien’s glare sharpened as recognition hit him.

Ethan Seymour.

And he looked like he’d been running for his life.

His hair was a mess, plastered to his sweaty forehead. His jacket hung awkwardly off one shoulder, and he was gasping for air, as if he had sprinted straight from home to the party without stopping. His eyes were wild, part panic, part determination as if he feared something terrible was already happening.

"Seymour?" Adrien’s voice was low, edged with the anger that had been building all night.

Ethan didn’t seem to care about Adrien’s tone. He stormed up to the driver’s window, his glare sharp. "Hey...uh, have you seen Noah?" he demanded, breathless and frantic. "Is he inside? Is he okay?"

Adrien stared at him, jaw tight, torn between wanting to laugh bitterly or punch him for showing up now. Part of him wanted to say nothing, let Ethan chase his own shadows while Adrien handled what really mattered. Ethan was supposed to be with Noah, supposed to look after him, not leave him alone in a party full of popularity predators.

But the other part, the part that loved Noah unconditionally...knew he couldn’t let his pride get in the way.

Not now.

Not when time was slipping away.

Ethan stepped closer, a mix of frustration and fear on his face. "Answer me, Adrien! He’s not responding to my calls or texts. I— I don’t know what’s happening."

Adrien inhaled sharply, steadying himself, then exhaled through clenched teeth. "Get in."

Ethan froze. "What?"

"I said get in." Adrien unlocked the passenger door forcefully. "I’ll fill you in on the way, but we need to move. Now."

Ethan looked even more confused now, suspicion creeping into his features. "Why? What happened? Is Noah—"

"Just get in the damn car!" Adrien snapped, his temper flaring. "We don’t have time for questions."

The urgency in his voice seemed to reach Ethan, and whatever protest he had faded. He jogged around to the passenger side, yanked the door open, and climbed in, slamming it shut behind him.

His hands balled into anxious fists on his knees as Adrien drove off. "Adrien," he said, quieter now but trembling with dread, "please tell me what’s happening."

Adrien didn’t look at him.

He didn’t breathe for a moment and he didn’t trust himself to speak.

Instead, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel until the leather creaked under the pressure.