The conference ended with polite applause fading into murmurs. Valeria bowed lightly and stepped out, pulse still racing. She had survived the presentation, held her poise… but reality was unrelenting.
Where would I go now?
Her apartment was no longer hers. Chantel had thrown her out, and worse, rumors about her were already circulating in the office, whispering her humiliation across hallways. Valeria took a steady breath. She couldn't stay in Adrian's penthouse forever, not even for a night. She had some money barely four hundred euros just enough for a few nights somewhere cheap. Still, she owed him thanks for his help.
Outside the office door, Leonard paused, noticing her hesitation.
"Mr. Leonard," she said softly, voice hesitant but firm, "I'd like to speak with Mr. Adrian. Just for a moment."
Leonard raised an eyebrow. "He's in between calls. May I ask what it's about?"
"I… I want to thank him. And also tell him I'll find another place to stay. I don't want to cause trouble," she admitted, clutching a small envelope.
Leonard's gaze flicked to it. "What's that?"
"For the dress," she said quietly. "I never borrow money from anyone… I just want to give something back. Half of what I have 200 euros. It's not much, but I can't leave without trying."
Leonard's expression softened fractionally. "Wait here. I'll inform him."
Inside Adrian's office, the air was sharp, commanding. He sat behind his desk, exuding the cold, imperious presence of a man used to absolute control.
"Sir," Leonard said, entering briskly, "Miss Valeria wishes to speak with you. She's outside."
Adrian didn't look up. "Let her in."
Before Leonard could leave, Adrian added, his tone razor-sharp, "And about Chantel."
Leonard nodded, reporting efficiently. "Sir, it's confirmed. She threw Miss Valeria out of her apartment and paid an intern to spread rumors this morning."
Adrian's eyes darkened, ice-cold. "The intern?"
"Dismissed immediately," Leonard replied.
Adrian's jaw tightened. "And Chantel? Cancel her father's cooperation with DeVere conglomerate. Freeze all joint projects. Let her understand what it feels like to lose everything overnight."
Leonard's eyes widened slightly. "Sir… that would bankrupt them."
Adrian's gaze was relentless, piercing. "Yes. No one undermines me or my people without consequence."
Leonard gave a small nod, silently acknowledging the unprecedented ruthlessness. Adrian didn't glance back at him, already absorbed in the next document, cold as steel.
The door opened, and Valeria stepped in, standing near it. She was nervous, yet composed, trying to mask the lingering embarrassment from the morning. Adrian's sharp gaze swept over her, and for a brief instant, the memory of that flushed, trembling scene flickered across his mind her broken bra strap, the delicate curve of her body, her flustered voice.
His expression remained unreadable, the mask of ruthless control fully intact.
"Sir," Valeria began, voice soft but polite, "thank you for letting me stay. I'll find another place today. I don't want to… cause trouble."
Adrian didn't move, simply observing.
"I also wanted to give you this," she continued, stepping forward with the envelope. "Half of what I have… for the dress."
He looked at the envelope, then back at her. "Keep it," he said simply.
She blinked, caught off guard. "Sir—"
"Do you think I need your money?" His tone was sharp, absolute.
"I… I just want to show my thanks," she said, voice quiet.
Adrian leaned back, fingers interlaced. "You are welcome here. That is enough."
Her shoulders relaxed slightly, but a flush remained.
"I understand, sir. Then… I'll leave."
He finally spoke again, tone steady yet commanding. "Stay where you are for now. If you feel uncomfortable in my penthouse, I will not stay there anyhow. But you will remain under my protection until you find a safe place."
Valeria hesitated. "But… sir… I can't stay for free. I don't want to—"
"You heard me," Adrian interrupted, voice low, controlled, but final. "I will not stay there anyhow. Do as you please. But you are safe here until I say otherwise."
Her lips pressed together, a mix of gratitude and helplessness. She bowed lightly, heart pounding. "Understood, sir."
Once she left, Leonard turned to Adrian quietly. "You've never acted like this before. Not for anyone."
"I still don't," Adrian said evenly.
"Then why—" Leonard hesitated.
"Because no one dares interfere with my people," Adrian said simply, eyes returning to his papers, cold and unyielding. "Disrespect will always have a cost."
Leonard smirked faintly. "Or someone touching what's yours?"
Adrian's jaw tightened, just slightly, then went still. Silence returned, heavy, precise, and utterly ruthless.