"Wait, did you say Adrian Rodolph?"
Madeline froze halfway through stacking a pile of business magazines. She narrowed her eyes at Elara.
"And now that you've mentioned it, his name doesn't sound new to me either," Elara admitted, her brow furrowing.
"That's because it's not." Madeline plucked one of the magazines and tossed it to Elara. "The Rodolph family is among the top five most influential dynasties in the business world. We've got the Ranveers at the very top, then the Monroes, the Storms, the Rodolphs, and…" She paused, snapping her fingers. "I'm forgetting the last one."
Elara flipped through the glossy pages, her eyes widening as she stopped at a full-page spread. There he was. Adrian Rodolph, dressed in a crisp Italian suit, standing tall with the same easy smile she had seen only last night.
"Wait. If this is really him… then what on earth is he doing here? An employee at the Monroe company?" Elara asked in disbelief. "He should be sitting in a boardroom giving orders, not working a research desk."
"My point exactly." Madeline leaned back against the shelf, crossing her arms. "Adrian is the only heir to the Rodolph empire. His mother passed away years ago, and his father remarried. Messy story, but the heir remained him. So why the disguise?"
Elara's eyes lingered on the photo, her stomach tightening. "Do you think he's a spy? Or…" she hesitated, "an impersonator? Someone bold enough to use Adrian's name to sneak into Monroe's company?"
"Impossible." Madeline shook her head. "Spies don't introduce themselves with their real names. And Adrian Rodolph is too recognizable to be invisible. Edward definitely knows who he hired."
Elara's mind raced. "Tomorrow, I'll check the employees' list. Confirm it for myself."
Madeline gave a knowing smile. "Social media already confirmed it for me. I've followed him for years. Every business page, every glossy magazine cover. Adrian always made headlines. But lately…" she tapped her lip, "…he went completely silent. No posts, no appearances, nothing for the last two months."
Elara snapped the magazine shut, sliding it back onto the table with a forced calm. "This shouldn't be what I'm thinking about right now."
"You're an idiot." Madeline burst into laughter. "I work at the Ranveer company. Of course, I keep tabs on all five families. Following their sons is basically part of my homework."
"I get it." Elara exhaled, rising from her seat. "But I need rest. Tomorrow, Edward and I are meeting Mr. Ranveer himself."
"Are you nervous?" Madeline teased.
"Anyone would be." Elara gave a half-smile as she headed to her room. "Maxwell Ranveer isn't exactly a man you bump into on the street."
"I'll join you in a bit!" Madeline called, turning back to her magazines.
Evening
The Monroe cars glided into the Ranveer compound with their usual quiet authority. Edward stepped out first, his sharp suit cutting through the evening shadows. Just as he was about to stride forward, another sleek car pulled up and it was his sister, Bianca. She swept out gracefully and immediately wrapped her arms around her brother in greeting.
Edward glanced at Elara. "Go ahead. Take the elevator straight to Mr. Ranveer's office. I'll join you shortly."
She nodded and hurried toward the glass doors. The elevator was just closing when a hand slipped in, holding the doors apart. Elara's breath hitched as a familiar tall figure stepped in. Maxwell Ranveer.
She shifted aside automatically. "Good evening, sir…"
The doors slid shut, trapping them in the confined space. The air seemed heavier than usual, thick with unspoken weight. Maxwell's piercing eyes fixed on her in silence. Seconds stretched into an eternity until Elara felt her lungs straining under the pressure.
Then he spoke, his voice low and deliberate.
"It was you." He had noticed his body always reacting strangely when he was around her, that day when they were stuck on the narrow door way. His had felt suddenly warm and craving for touch, something he, as a business-oriented person, wasn't experiencing just anyhow.
He had done his digging and right at this moment, he just wanted her affirmation.
Elara blinked, her pulse spiking. "Sir?"
"At the Golden Hotel that night." His gaze never wavered.
Elara's throat tightened. She had known the moment Madeline showed her Maxwell's photograph that her cover would never hold forever. And yet… "I don't understand, sir," she said softly, feigning ignorance.
Maxwell stepped closer in one smooth stride. The tension grew, the temperature increased and she felt like she was suffocating under his strict stare. Her body trembled.
"Don't play me, Miss Grant."
Her knees weakened under the intensity of his stare. She parted her lips to respond then the elevator chimed, the doors sliding open. Maxwell stepped back instantly, his face unreadable, though his eyes told her the conversation was far from over.
Elara exhaled shakily and followed him into his office, her hands trembling against the folder she clutched.
Maxwell stood by the window, his silhouette sharp against the skyline. Elara opened her mouth, but the door creaked open again. Edward Monroe entered briskly.
"Elara, you should already have briefed Mr. Ranveer on today's agenda." His tone was clipped, businesslike.
"She has," Maxwell said calmly, settling into his chair with an authority that silenced the room. He extended a hand. "The file."
Elara placed it carefully before him, her eyes dropping to avoid his stare. Then she turned to Edward. "I'll be downstairs waiting."
Edward nodded absently, already focusing on Maxwell.
As Elara slipped out, Edward began, "Mr. Ranveer, Bianca is concerned. You've postponed your marriage date again. With Orion's victory, our companies stand stronger than ever. She believes our families' union should mirror that strength."
Maxwell's jaw tightened, his voice calm but firm. "I've already explained my plans to Bianca. I don't care to be pushed further."
Edward inclined his head, recognizing the weight in his tone. "Understood. Then let's move to today's agenda…"
Downstairs
Elara walked straight into Madeline's office, her face pale. Madeline spun around in her chair and raised a brow.
"You look like someone who just survived hell."
Elara shut the door and leaned against it, trembling. "Maddie… something's wrong."