Chapter 1: Get Him Out
“Get him out.””
Camille’s voice cracked across the bright luxury showroom like a whip.
Every conversation stopped.
The marble floor gleamed beneath rows of glass displays. Handbags sat beneath precise white spotlights, each one positioned like a piece of museum art. Behind the polished counter, Monica, the store manager, froze with a tablet still in her hand.
Camille pointed at Adrian’s coat.
It was dark, worn at the elbows, and several years past fashionable. Beneath it, he wore a plain gray shirt and black trousers. No watch flashed at his wrist. No designer logo marked his clothes.
Camille looked him up and down.
“You heard me,” she said.
“Get him out.””
Adrian didn't move.
He stood quietly near the counter, hands relaxed at his sides.
Two Black security guards exchanged a glance before approaching.
Monica swallowed.
“Ms. Camille,” she said carefully, “perhaps there’s been a misunderstanding.””
Camille snapped her head toward her.
“Monica, I said remove him.””
Adrian finally looked at Camille.
His expression wasn't angry.
That seemed to bother her more.
“You've been staring at me since I walked in,” Adrian said.
Camille folded her arms.
“Because you don't belong here.””
One guard stopped a few feet away.
“Sir,” he said professionally, “I'm going to have to ask you to leave.””
Adrian nodded once.
“That's fine.””
Camille smiled.
“See? He understands.””
Adrian reached into his coat.
Both guards stiffened.
He slowly pulled out a phone.
“I'm just waiting for a call.””
Camille laughed under her breath.
“A call?””
“Yes.””
“From who?””
Adrian looked at the expensive handbags behind her.
“Someone who owns a lot more of this building than you realize.””
Camille's smile vanished for half a second.
Then she scoffed.
“You really think a phone call makes you important?””
“No.””
Adrian slipped the phone back into his pocket.
“I think the person calling me does.””
Monica looked between them.
“Mr. Adrian,” she said quietly, “if you have an appointment, I can verify it.””
Camille cut her off.
“He doesn't have an appointment.””
Adrian looked at Monica.
“Actually, I do.””
“With whom?”” Camille demanded.
Adrian didn't answer.
A notification chimed from Camille's phone.
She glanced down.
Then another message appeared.
Her attention shifted for only a moment.
That was when the thick folder tucked beneath her arm slipped free.
It struck the polished counter with a heavy slap.
The folder opened.
Several pages slid across the marble.
Camille cursed.
“Damn it.””
She reached for them.
Adrian was closer.
He picked up the folder first.
Camille's eyes widened.
“Give me that.””
Adrian looked down.
The first page carried the unmistakable logo of her family's company.
Below it was her name.
*CAMILLE HAYES.*
Adrian turned one page.
Then another.
His face changed.
Not much.
Just enough for Monica to notice.
“What's that?”” Camille asked.
Adrian lifted his eyes.
“You should be more careful with your paperwork.””
Camille stepped forward.
“I said give it to me.””
Adrian held the folder loosely at his side.
“Interesting.””
“What?””
He looked at the signature page.
Then at Monica.
“Call your father.””
Camille laughed.
It was loud enough to make one of the guards glance away.
“My father?””
“Yes.””
“You don't tell me what to do.””
Adrian closed the folder halfway.
“Then tell him yourself.””
Camille's expression hardened.
“Who exactly do you think you are?””
Adrian's phone began ringing.
He looked at the screen.
The entire store seemed to hold its breath.
He answered.
“Hello?””
He listened.
No one spoke.
Then Adrian looked directly at Camille.
“Understood.””
He lowered the phone.
“Cancel the four-hundred-million-dollar acquisition.””
Camille stopped breathing.
Monica's tablet slipped slightly in her hand.
One of the guards stared at Adrian.
Camille whispered, “What did you just say?””
Adrian closed the folder.
“The deal is canceled.””
“Who gave you authority to—”
The glass doors suddenly burst open.
Victor Hayes, Camille's father, rushed into the store.
His expensive suit was perfectly tailored.
His face wasn't.
He looked terrified.
“Stop!”” Victor shouted.
The guards immediately turned.
Victor pointed at them.
“Don't touch him!””
Camille spun around.
“Dad?””
Victor's eyes were fixed on Adrian.
Camille stared between them.
“Dad... who is he?””
Victor opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
May you like
Adrian slowly tightened his grip around the contract folder.
And waited.
