Chapter <b>280 </b>
ADRIAN’S POV
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<b>63 </b>
10 vouchers
I gently lowered my spoon onto the empty te, signaling to the maids that I was done with breakfast. The quiet tter of tes being cleared filled the air as <b>I </b>leaned back slightly in my chair.
Just as I was about to reach for my coffee, my phone buzzed. I nced down and saw a small notification. Olivia. My chest tightened slightly at the sight of her name. I tapped the screen and opened the message.
“Good morning.”
“That’s a surprise” I whispered more to myself as I raised the phone to get a closer look. To my surprise, she greeted me with a good morning for the first time since I got her number back at the restaurant a few days
ago.
Yes I was finally able to get her number, it was almost as hard as hell, and I know how many times she told me no, but I kept pushing, and I used the one person I knew she couldn’t say no to.
Charlie.
I kept reminding her that we need to bemunicating as his parents even though we’re not in a rtionship, we had agreed to be friends before I took her on that lunch date, andst I remember friends are allowed to have other friends‘ numbers.
At the end when we were leaving the restaurant without warning she just snatched my phone from my pocket and added her number in.
I was still using the same password on my phone since we got married so I was surprised that she still remembered it even after all this year. After I got her number she never answered me each time I texted her or tried to call.
But now, here she was, breaking the ice herself with a simple morning greeting. I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. This was progress. A sign, perhaps, that she was softening, at least slightly.
Just as I reached for my phone to text her back, it rang sharply. My name shed on the screen, followed by James‘
“Talk to me,” I said, swiping to answer immediately.
“I don’t need to talk,” James replied, his voice clipped and unusually tense. “You’re going to want to see this for yourself. Judging by yourck of celebration<b>, </b>I’m assuming you haven’t heard the news this morning.”
My brow furrowed. “And what news is that?<b>” </b><b>I </b>asked cautiously, sensing the weight behind his tone.
“Marcus has been arrested,” James said coldly, without hesitation.
I froze mid–motion, the spoon hovering over my coffee, Marcus? Arrested? My mind reeled as the implications settled in. This was shocking news, even by the standards of our chaotic lives<b>. </b>
James continued, his voice sharp and steady. “Well, I told you from the beginning, Adrian. Marcus is still a
<b>12:18 </b><b>Sun</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>21 </b>
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<b>63 </b>
10 vouchers
child in the business world. He thought he could rival you just because he’s been around for a few years, gained some money, and built a small business<b>. </b>But without your help without you giving him a leg up when he was nothing he wouldn’t have gotten this far. And now? Interpol caught him this morning because he couldn’t keep his real work clean.”
I leaned back in my chair, processing each word. “Keep going,” I said, my curiosity piqued despite the knot forming in my chest.
“Turns out he was involved in an international drugwork,” James said. “They have evidence, shipments, bank records, andmunication logs. Everything. It’s all over the news right now. He’s finished, Adrian.”
“Drugs? Marcus? So that exins everything… The money, the rapid rise in influence, the bold moves he was making in the business world. It all makes sense now. I never questioned him enough, but I should have seen iting.” I said.
James exhaled sharply. “Interpol made sure he’s in cuffs now. His reputation is basically destroyed. Every investor linked to him is pulling out. By tonight, he won’t have a shred of credibility left.”
I allowed myself a long, slow breath. Relief mixed with the lingering frustration I’d felt over Marcus‘ audacity. “Alright, then. Suits him right. At least my back is cleared now, and thepany can breathe for a moment.”
“Well, not quite,” James said, leaning into the seriousness of the conversation. “Our new contender in the business world has stepped into the spotlight after that robbery incident and you’re not gonna believe who it is, ke Enterprise. They’re the onlypany currently matching your stats. Numbers, expansion, influence – you name it, they’reing for the same ground we’re standing on.”
I tilted my head slightly, considering this. “Well… that’s not a problem. Olivia and I aren’t at each other’s throats anymore, so I’m not too worried about them being a factor.”
James‘ voice dropped slightly, a hint of warning threading through his words. “Are you sure about that? You know there are no friends in the business world, Adrian. Everyone has an angle. Everyone wants something. Even Olivia isn’t just a civilian in this. She’s a major yer now.”
I ran a hand through my hair, leaning forward and letting the tension ease just slightly. “Trust me, James, we both have bigger problems at the moment than fighting each other. Right now, keeping Charlie safe, and watching out for potential threats is more important than worrying about old grudges or business rivalries.”
James paused, clearly weighing my words. “Alright.”
There was a moment of silence, filled only by the soft background noise of the morning.
James finally said, “Just… stay sharp. I’ll keep you updated on thepany.”
“Okay,” I replied, ending the call with a single press. I set my phone down, the weight of the morning’s news settling over me like a storm cloud. Marcus‘ arrest was a relief, yes, but my table was still full, well until we found out who’s behind all this.
For a moment, I just sat there, letting the quiet of the house envelop me. The maids moved quietly, clearing thest remnants of breakfast, but my mind was elsewhere strategizing, recalcting, and preparing.