As he entered the hotel’s conference room, the first thing he noticed was her—sitting there, poised, staring with an impersonal expression at the reporters who were slowly taking their seats. She looked untouched by the noise around her, almost distant, as if none of it concerned her.
Adam moved quietly, choosing a seat in the middle of the room, making sure he was directly in her line of sight. If she looked ahead, even casually, she would see him. He tried to guess what she was thinking, but her face gave nothing away.
His hand clenched against his knee. Was she going to side with Saira in this ridiculous crusade to destroy him? Was she going to stand there and say the things that could end everything?
He knew she didn’t care about the inheritance his grandmother had left behind—lanie had never been motivated by money. Which ant there was nothing holding her back. Nothing keeping her from turning her back on him if she believed even a fraction of what they were saying. While the seats next to her were empty, he could not help but wonder where the others were.
Just then, she looked up—straight at him. Adam stiffened, his breath catching for a mont as their eyes t. There was no sign of surprise, no flicker of recognition. Just that sa composed, unreadable expression she’d worn since he walked in. Did she know it was him behind the mask? Was she pretending not to notice—or had she truly not seen through the carefully chosen disguise?
Then, as though he didn’t exist at all, her gaze turned away.
Adam watched as she turned her head away towards the growing commotion at the far end of the banquet hall, where a flurry of cara shutters had burst into a frenzy. The flash of bulbs bounced off the polished walls and chandeliers as two familiar figures entered—Saira and Robert arrived.
His eyes narrowed as he watched the older man reaching in front and watching casually. Robert Collins then gave a nod to everyone before helping Saira take a seat and he walked forward, adjusting the microphone slightly. He didn’t speak at once, instead surveyed the crowd as if waiting for complete silence. As expected, it worked and everyone quickly quietened down.
Adam cocked his head at that. This ti his grandfather was not going to play the good huy and defend him? It seed the old man was finally ready to drop all pretenses. That is good too. Later, when he played his cards, Robert Collins’ would not be able to try and play the old man card.
"I know many of you are curious about my younger grandson’s... relationship."
He paused deliberately, as though letting the word settle while feeding the room’s appetite for drama as every reported seed to be sitting on the edge, waiting for the juicy morsel to drop.
"Now, Adam—" he continued, with the faintest smile, "well, Adam has always been a bit of a free spirit. Brilliant, no doubt. But... unconventional. He can’t be bothered with what society thinks. That’s just who he is. Always chasing the next thing, getting lost in his own world, forgetting the rules the rest of us live by."
The audience gave a few polite chuckles, though so exchanged glances. Adam smiled. Ahh. He was still trying to play the good cop. It looked as if Robert Collins was making excuses for him but despite the affectionate tone, anyone with common sense shoul dbe able to see that he was being dismissive.
While, Adam was lost in thought, Robert Collins continued, "But while my grandson may not care for public opinion,I do. And I believe the public deserves clarity—particularly in a matter that has invited so much speculation. So let begin by clarifying the relationship between my grandson Adam and Miss Saira Vaugn—both co-directors of our global humanitarian initiative—"
"Excuse ," a voice cut through.
It wasn’t loud, but it carried. Calm. Clear. Unapologetic.
All heads turned—including Adam’s
lanie was on her feet, a microphone in hand as she ca to stand next to the older man.
Robert Collins blinked, caught mid-sentence. No one had ever dared to interrupt him. However, he smiled at lanie and asked her, "Yes, child. Tell ."
lanie smiled at him and continued," Even though you care for your reputation and that of the Collins’, it would be wrong to make you stand in front of everyone and give an explanation for soone else’s misdeeds. Even if that soone is your own grandson."
Adam’s hands tightened. Soone else’s misdeeds...
"And so with all due respect, this matter? Let be the one to give an explanation. It concerns more than anyone else in this room."
She took another step forward so that she was now standing half wat to the podium, "So if you don’t mind, I think I should be the one standing here."
For a second, you could’ve heard a pin drop. Even Adam was surprised. She might be angry at the turn of events but lanie really had the audacity to cut off Robert Collins.
The reporters had stopped scribbling. Caras paused mid-air. Even Saira, who had been preparing to smile for the press, seed thrown off for a beat.
Then Sir Collins let out a soft laugh. One that didn’t quite reach his eyesw hich were already shooting threats at her... "Of course, my dear," he said.
As he backed off, though, he once again gave lanie a glance—quick and sharp. A flash of sothing hard beneath his genteel expression.
lanie turned toward the room and faced the sea of expectant faces. For a mont, she said nothing. The silence stretched and then, she sent a look at where Adam was seated and slowly began," Not many people know of Adam Collins, the blacksheep of the Collins’ family. Just now, Sir Collins told you of how he cannot be bothered with the public opinion of him. It is indeed true. They say who can know Adam better than the man who helped raise him?"
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