At that mont the tension in the room grew thick the mont the three n stepped in. Each one carried a black briefcase—identical, polished, and heavy with intent. They didn’t speak. Their footsteps echoed softly across the marble floor as they moved like clockwork.
Imdiately Edward’s cocky grin faded. He exchanged a look with Liam, whose brows drew together in a mix of confusion and suspicion. Avery stiffened beside them, her hands curled tightly in her lap.
No one dared to ask a question, Then the door opened again, this ti, the air changed.
The fourth man stepped in—tall, young, and disturbingly composed. His presence wasn’t loud, but it demanded attention. Sharp suit, clean lines, an expensive watch that glinted under the soft lighting. His eyes swept the room with casual confidence, and when they landed on Raymond, a small nod followed.
That was when the whispers began.
"Wait... isn’t that...?"
"I think I’ve seen him before... at the city’s investnt summit—"
"He’s from GSK."
It hit them all at once. their faces paled. Breaths hitched. Even Edward’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. They couldn’t recall his na imdiately, but his face... they knew that face. He sat on the board of GSK Investnt Group—one of the youngest to ever do so. He was rarely seen in public, but when he did appear, he was either signing billion-dollar deals or canceling them.
Now, he was here, In front of them.
And he hadn’t co alone.
The mont the man took one step into the center of the room, a wave of realization rippled through the group.
"Mr. Adrian...!" Edward’s voice cracked mid-sentence as he scrambled to his feet, nearly knocking over his chair.
Liam was right behind him, straightening his shirt collar like it suddenly mattered.
Avery’s confident posture dissolved into a composed panic as she stepped forward, her voice softer than usual.
"Mr. Adrian, what a surprise... we didn’t know you’d be here."
All Four tried to speak at once, tripping over polite pleasantries.
"We would’ve welcod you properly—"
"What brings you here, sir?"
"You ca to this place? This gathering? We had no idea..."
But Adrian said nothing his eyes didn’t linger on any of them. No nod, no smile. He didn’t so much as acknowledge their presence.
He walked past them like they were made of glass.
And then—he stopped in front of Raymond.
Seeing what just happened Everyone froze.
Avery’s lips parted in confusion. Edward blinked hard like he needed to reset his eyes. Liam subtly stepped back, unsure what was unfolding.
Adrian lowered his head slightly—with genuine, practiced respect. His voice, when it ca, was calm and steady. "Mr. Raymond. It’s an honor to finally et you in person. I’ve heard quite a lot... and now I understand."
Raymond simply gave a relaxed nod, then turned with a small smile. "This is my wife—Valentina."
Imdiately Adrian’s gaze shifted to her.
Valentina stood, instinctively extending her hand for a handshake. But Adrian didn’t take it.
Instead, he stepped back lightly and bowed.
"I wouldn’t dare, Mrs. Valentina," he said with quiet reverence. "It is a privilege to finally et you as well. Please, forgive —I’m not worthy of a handshake."
Upon hearing what he just said Valentina blinked. Her hand hovered mid-air for a second before slowly falling to her side.
She stood frozen. Her heart thumped in her chest, hard. Her lips parted, but no words ca.
She was stunned.
Not because he bowed. Not because of what he said.
But because of who he was... and who he just bowed to.
The room fell into a strange silence. A heavy silence. One that wrapped around everyone’s throat like a quiet warning.
Liam glanced sideways at Edward, who was already stepping forward with a half-smile of confidence, unaware of what was coming.
"I’m Edward," he said, adjusting his suit slightly. "From the Miro fa—"
Adrian’s eyes snapped to him.
It was Sharp, Cold, Void of warmth.
It wasn’t just a look—it was a dismissal wrapped in disdain.
Edward paused mid-sentence, blinking.
Then Adrian took a step forward, the sound of his polished shoe tapping the floor the only sound in the room.
His gaze didn’t move from Edward as he spoke, his voice was calm but cutting.
"Did I ask you to speak?"
Edward’s throat bobbed. "I... I just thought—"
"You thought wrong," Adrian interrupted, voice like a blade. "You do not talk when I am here unless I give you the right to. Do I look like one of your little friends you show off to?"
Imdiately Edward’s lips trembled slightly. Then he lowered his head.
Behind him, Liam instinctively stepped back. He didn’t want that attention. Not now.
The military guy straightened in his chair but didn’t utter a word. His usual dominance had shrunk under the weight of Adrian’s presence.
Avery’s fingers curled tightly around her wine glass. She didn’t even realize it was tilting in her grip.
Then Sha’s brows were furrowed, her lips slightly parted. Even she couldn’t find words. And that said sothing.
It wasn’t just that Adrian spoke with power. It was that he didn’t need to raise his voice to control the room. His very presence was louder than anyone here.
They stood still, Unmoving, Adrian’s eyes swept over all of them slowly, coldly.
"Who gave any of you permission to speak?"
None of them had an answer.
Nobody moved. Nobody dared, their silence wasn’t just from fear—it was from confusion, panic, and that bitter taste of sudden regret.
Adrian’s presence had stolen every ounce of arrogance from the air, and now, the manager took a step forward and bowed deeply toward him, his voice respectful but firm.
"Sir," he said, eyes flicking in Edward’s direction, "they’ve been damaging property since earlier. I tried to explain this restaurant is under GSK’s ownership, but they mocked it... said no one could touch them."
At that mont Adrian’s gaze slowly shifted to Edward and the other guy beside him.
The pressure that followed was suffocating.
Imdiately Edward blinked fast, his lips parting. "S-Sir, I don’t know what he’s talking about," he stamred, trying to force a smile that couldn’t find its way to his eyes. "There must be so misunderstanding—"
"Yes," the Darren quickly added, his tone attempting to sound calm. "We didn’t know. We—we thought this was just a regular place. We didn’t an any harm."
Still Adrian didn’t respond. Not imdiately.
His eyes remained fixed on Edward, unblinking, as if dissecting him silently.
Then Edward swallowed again, his confidence now replaced with visible nervousness.
"We—we’re ready to pay. Anything that was damaged, we’ll handle it. Right, Darren?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)