Chapter 1: Get Him Out
“Get him out.””
Camille’s voice cracked across the luxury store like a whip.
Every conversation stopped.
She stood beneath a wall of warm designer lighting, diamonds glittering at her throat and wrists, one hand gripping the strap of a handbag that cost more than most people’s monthly salary.
Her eyes traveled slowly over Adrian’s worn dark coat.
Then she pointed toward the entrance.
“Get him out,” Camille repeated.
Two Black security guards immediately stepped away from the polished counter.
Adrian didn’t move.
He was in his late forties, broad-shouldered but understated, with tired eyes and a calm expression that made Camille visibly more irritated.
The marble floor reflected the store lights beneath his scuffed shoes.
Monica, the store manager, hurried from behind the counter.
“Ms. Camille,” Monica said quietly, “perhaps we should—”
“No.”” Camille cut her off.
“I know exactly what I’m doing.””
One guard approached Adrian.
“Sir,” the guard said professionally, “I’m going to have to ask you to leave.””
Adrian looked at him.
Then at Camille.
Then back at the guard.
“I’m not causing trouble,” Adrian said.
Camille laughed.
“You walked into a private luxury store wearing that?””
Adrian glanced down at his coat.
“What’s wrong with it?””
Camille lifted her chin.
“Everything.””
Monica swallowed.
“Ms. Camille, he was asking about the executive office.””
“I heard him.”” Camille’s expression hardened.
“And I told him this isn’t a public meeting room.””
Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“You told me your father was expecting me.””
For the first time, Camille hesitated.
Only for half a second.
Then she smiled.
“My father expects a lot of people.””
“I see.””
The second guard stepped closer.
Adrian slowly raised both hands.
“Easy.””
The guard stopped.
Adrian wasn’t afraid.
That was what bothered Camille most.
Most people became nervous when security approached them. They apologized. They explained themselves. They looked for an escape.
Adrian simply stood there.
Watching.
Calculating.
Camille took a step forward.
“You know what people like you do?”” she asked.
Adrian said nothing.
“You walk into places built for people with money, pretend you belong, and hope someone important feels sorry for you.””
Monica’s face tightened.
“Camille…”
“What?”” Camille snapped.
“Am I wrong?””
Adrian looked at her for several seconds.
“No.””
Camille smiled triumphantly.
Then Adrian finished.
“You’re just describing yourself.””
The smile vanished.
One guard looked away, trying not to react.
Camille’s cheeks reddened.
“What did you say?””
Adrian turned toward the entrance.
“I said I’ll leave when I’m finished.””
“You’re finished now.””
Camille swung the handbag off her arm.
The thick contract folder tucked beneath it slipped free.
It struck the marble counter with a heavy slap.
Camille barely noticed.
But Adrian did.
The folder opened.
Papers fanned across the polished surface.
And on the first page was a logo Adrian recognized immediately.
The company logo.
Under it was Camille’s full name.
Adrian reached for the folder.
Camille’s eyes widened.
“Don’t.””
His fingers closed around it.
She lunged.
“Give me that!””
Adrian stepped back.
The entire store went silent.
He looked down at the document.
Then at Camille.
Something in his expression changed.
Not anger.
Recognition.
He turned another page.
A corporate acquisition agreement.
Numbers.
Signatures.
A deadline.
And one figure printed in bold.
*$400,000,000.*
Monica noticed the page.
Her breathing stopped.
“Mr. Adrian…”
He looked toward her.
“You know my name?””
Monica froze.
Camille stared between them.
Adrian slowly turned to the signature page.
There it was.
The name of the buyer.
The name of the company financing the acquisition.
And beneath it, a signature that had not yet been completed.
Adrian closed the folder halfway.
“Monica.””
“Yes?””
“Call your father.””
Camille laughed nervously.
“You’re serious?””
Adrian ignored her.
“Tell him the investor is here.””
Camille’s laugh disappeared.
Monica’s hand trembled as she reached for the phone.
And then Adrian’s phone began to ring.
He looked at the screen.
His expression became completely unreadable.
He answered.
“Hello?””
Everyone watched him listen.
He said nothing for several seconds.
Then his eyes moved directly to Camille.
“Understood.””
He lowered the phone.
Camille’s voice came out smaller than before.
“Who was that?””
Adrian picked up the contract folder.
“Your father.””
The color drained from her face.
Adrian looked at the guards.
“Tell them to stand down.””
Neither guard moved.
Camille suddenly stepped forward.
“You don’t get to order my security around.””
Adrian looked at her.
“Not yet.””
The front doors remained closed.
The store was bright.
Silent.
Perfectly still.
Then Monica’s phone rang.
She answered.
Her eyes widened.
“Ms. Camille…”
“What?””
Monica looked at Adrian.
“It’s your father.””
And before Camille could respond, Monica whispered:
“He says everyone is to leave the floor.””
Adrian slowly opened the folder again.
The first page revealed one final line.
*Acquisition authority: Adrian—*
The rest was covered by his hand.
Camille stared at it.
“Adrian what?””
He didn’t answer.
May you like
Instead, he looked toward the entrance.
And waited.
