Now that the initial tension of their meeting had subsided, Evelyn's eyes were more intently focused on Adrian. He appeared even younger than she had anticipated up close. His jawline was hard, his eyes deep, but there was still that rawness of someone who had been forced to grow too quickly. For a brief moment, she wondered if her father had miscalculated.
Could this be the man he had so solemnly described, cautioning her to treat him with the highest regard? Her father's voice echoed in the room: Trust him. Don't underestimate him. Your life might depend on it one day.
She now saw a man who stared at her with unguarded surprise, someone who didn't seem the predator her father had described. Still, Evelyn kept her doubts beneath a polished smile. Outwardly, she remained the flawless hostess, every gesture precise, every word dipped in courtesy.
"Tonight, I'll be hosting a charity gala. It's meant to attract new partners and strengthen my faction. The situation within B corporation is… delicate. I'd like you to attend. Observe. Help me judge which potential partner is worth trusting."
Her words were measured; the invitation was a test—minor, but telling. Adrian read her easily: the faint flicker of dismissal in her eyes, the subtle edge in her voice. She was underestimating him. He did not take offense. "I'll go," Adrian replied calmly, his expression even, a cold weight beneath the words.
A quiet knock broke the stillness. Evelyn's secretary peeked in, pale. "Ms. Carter… Mr. Victor and Ms. Vivienne are still waiting in the VIP room. They are asking for cooperation. Should I… ask them to leave?"
Adrian's eyes moved. He rose slightly. "Corporation? What do they want exactly?"
A look of contempt darkened Evelyn's face. "Mr. Victor has consistently attempted to link B corporation to his family's declining influence. Their strength is insufficient now. As for her…" Evelyn's lip curled. "She's irrelevant."
Adrian's jaw tightened; his face hardened, eyes turning sharp and cold. "I see."
Evelyn caught the shift. "What is it? Do you know them?" she asked.
"They have a grudge against me," Adrian said, calm and heavy.
Evelyn's eyes narrowed on the trembling secretary. "Then listen carefully. Tell them this: as of today, all cooperation with Ms. Vivienne's family is terminated. Permanently. As for Mr. Victor, his family is still old money. Settlement will be delayed for now."
The secretary bowed. "Y-Yes, Ms. Carter." When the door closed, Evelyn turned to Adrian. "Satisfied?"
"For now," he said.
Laughter poured like wine in the VIP room. Vivienne leaned slyly against the second male lead. "With your family's strength, everything will change soon. We'll surpass the others once Ms. Carter accepts you. Imagine our names at the top, side by side."
Victor relished the fantasy until the door swung open. The secretary entered, face changed, tone clipped. "How dare you impersonate Ms. Carter's distinguished guest? Effective immediately, all cooperation between B corporation and Ms. Vivienne's family is terminated. Permanently. As for you," she said, looking at Victor, "your family may retain ties for now, but you will not be meeting her today."
Vivienne froze. "Wh—what? Terminated? You… you can't mean that! My family—"
"—will no longer receive recognition from B corporation," the secretary finished coldly. "Security."
Two guards stepped in, expressionless. Vivienne demanded to see Ms. Carter. "There must be a mistake!" she cried.
"Out," the secretary ordered. The guards seized them; Victor sputtered, Vivienne struggled, fury and fear twisting her face as they were dragged to the elevators.
Outside, the autumn wind pricked their skin. Vivienne tore free and turned on Victor. "Why did she say we were impersonating her VIP visitor? Who was she referring to?"
Victor paused, eyes flickering. "I… I don't know. Some misunderstanding."
Her thoughts went back to prison and Adrian's icy remarks. A bitter realization twisted her lips. It was him—Adrian. This must have been his doing. Victor seized on that. "That has to be it. Humiliated, he must have gone crawling to Evelyn Carter to sabotage us."
Vivienne's eyes burned. "That man… He'll stop at nothing to ruin me." She softened, tugging at Victor's arm. "What should we do now?"
Victor straightened, regaining swagger. "Don't worry. I have a way." He produced two gilded invitations; the B corporation crest glinted. "Tonight's charity gala. Ms. Carter will be there. We'll meet her directly. Once she hears us out, this will be cleared."
The second female lead's fury melted into flattery. "As expected of you… you managed what I couldn't. With you by her side, how could anyone compare? That partnership is yours alone. When you secure it, you'll help restore my family's rights, won't you?"
His chest puffed though unease gnawed. "Of course. Leave it to me." His smile hid the knot in his stomach.
Victor's jaw clenched, but he adjusted his lapel. Beside him, Vivienne's anger trembled. She muttered, "How dare she. How dare Evelyn Carter treat me like I don't exist by severing our relationship? All because of him."
Victor forced calm. "Don't lose your composure. Adrian wants exactly that. He thinks he's clever coming here to turn the tables." Vivienne snapped back, "You don't know him like I do. He'll stop at nothing to ruin me."
Victor gripped her wrist. "I won't let that happen." He showed the invitation again. "Tonight is our chance. Evelyn Carter won't turn us away in her ballroom."
Vivienne stared as if saved. "Victor… you're incredible." Her flattery soothed him; he slid the invitation back. "Trust me. By the end of tonight, Evelyn Carter won't remember Adrian. She'll only see us."
Vivienne's smile laced with venom. "Let him watch from the shadows. I'll make sure he knows what it means to lose everything."
Victor tightened his arm and stared back at the glass tower.
Inside, far above the streets where they nursed wounded pride, Adrian remained silent. Evelyn returned to her desk, aware of his presence. "They won't trouble us again," she said.
He looked out over the city like a battlefield. "They'll try again. People like them don't stop until someone makes them."
Evelyn studied him, filing away the conviction in his voice. "Then we'll make them," she said, but in her mind hovered a thought: perhaps Adrian wasn't the one being tested, maybe it was she.