MY ALPHA CEO

ADRIAN LANCASTER IS A MURDER?

"Mia, are you ok?"

Mia looked up to see Pierre standing in front of her. She looked around but saw no sign of Adrian Lancaster.

"Wasn't Adrian here?" She asked, still staring around.

Pierre chuckled, "You've been thinking about that guy so much, you've started seeing things."

He turned and begin to walk off. "Come on, it's late. Let's get going."

Mia looked around one last time before going to catch up with Pierre. For some reason, she was certain adrian was right there, even for a second.

Was she really seeing things?

Mia spent the next few days trying to ignore the weight of Adrian Lancaster’s proposition. She buried herself in work, channeling her energy into perfecting every dish, but no amount of slicing, searing, or plating could erase his words from her mind.

She hadn’t responded to his text.

She wouldn’t.

At least, that’s what she told herself.

Yet, when Liam caught her spacing out during prep, he nudged her with his elbow. “You’re thinking about him again.”

Mia scowled. “I’m thinking about how to properly dice these shallots before I stab you with the knife I’m holding.”

Liam smirked, unfazed. “Right. So, the brooding isn’t about the ridiculously rich and infuriatingly attractive man who offered you a dream job?”

Mia’s grip tightened around the knife. “It’s not a dream job.”

Liam arched a brow. “A private chef gig for a billionaire who clearly has an interest in more than just your cooking? Sounds pretty dreamlike to me.”

Mia rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t have an interest in me.”

“Uh-huh. That’s why he showed up here like some brooding romance novel hero, looking at you like you were a five-star meal he wanted to devour.”

Mia’s cheeks burned. “Liam, I swear to God—”

Before she could finish, Pierre stormed into the kitchen, looking as if he’d seen a ghost. “Mia,” he gasped. “He’s here. Again.”

Mia’s stomach clenched. “Who?”

Pierre shot her an exasperated look. “Who do you think?”

Damn him.

She wiped her hands on a towel and stalked toward the front, her pulse unsteady.

Sure enough, Adrian Lancaster stood in the middle of La Lumière’s grand dining room, looking completely out of place yet entirely in control. The patrons cast him curious glances, but Adrian remained focused on one thing.

Her.

Mia took a steadying breath and approached, arms crossed. “You’re persistent.”

Adrian’s lips quirked. “I prefer determined.”

“You should prefer leaving me alone.”

His smirk deepened, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, elegant envelope, placing it on the nearest table.

Mia eyed it warily. “What’s that?”

“A challenge.”

She frowned. “I don’t play games.”

“This isn’t a game, Mia.” His voice was smooth, certain. “Inside is an address. Be there tomorrow night at seven. One meal. That’s all I ask.”

Mia hesitated, her fingers twitching with the urge to grab the envelope and toss it right back at him.

And yet… one meal.

A part of her—one she wasn’t proud of—was curious.

“What’s the catch?” she asked.

Adrian tilted his head slightly. “If, after tomorrow, you still think working for me isn’t worth your time, I won’t bother you again.”

Mia studied him, searching for deception in his stormy gray eyes. But Adrian Lancaster didn’t seem like the kind of man who needed to lie.

That made him even more dangerous.

“Fine,” she said before she could talk herself out of it. “One meal.”

His smirk was slow and satisfied. “I’ll see you at seven.”

And just like that, he turned and walked out, leaving Mia gripping the envelope like it was a bomb about to detonate.

Liam appeared beside her, eyes wide. “Did you just agree to a mysterious dinner with a billionaire who clearly wants to seduce you?”

Mia huffed, shoving the envelope into her pocket. “It’s not like that.”

Liam grinned. “Keep telling yourself that.”

But as Mia returned to the kitchen, pretending everything was fine, she couldn’t ignore the way her heart pounded.

Because deep down, she knew... tomorrow night wouldn’t just be about food. And that terrified her.

---

The Next Evening, Mia stood outside an upscale townhouse in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, gripping the strap of her bag like it was a lifeline. The address Adrian had given her led to this sleek, modern building, with warm golden lights glowing through floor-to-ceiling windows.

She had debated all afternoon whether to show up.

This was a mistake.

But something had pulled her here, a stubborn need to prove to both Adrian and herself that she wasn’t intimidated by him.

Taking a steadying breath, she rang the doorbell.

A moment later, the door swung open, revealing a woman in her mid-fifties with sharp eyes and an air of quiet authority. She wore a crisp black dress and a silver pendant.

“You must be Miss Carter,” she said smoothly.

Mia hesitated. “Uh, yeah. Good evening, Miss…?”

“I’m Evelyn.” The woman stepped aside. “Mr. Lancaster is expecting you.”

Mia stepped in, taking in the sleek interior. Dark oak floors, minimalist furniture, and an open-plan kitchen that looked both professional and inviting. The scent of fresh herbs and something citrusy lingered in the air.

“Sir Adrian will meet with you shortly.”

Mia nodded and quietly made her way toward the seats.

She looked around as she walked, taking in the house with growing amazement. It was actually beautiful. Peaceful, too, but in a surprisingly simple way.

It wasn't at all what she had imagined the home of someone as famous as Lancaster would look like.

There was no overwhelming display of wealth or anything that screamed for attention. Everything simply felt... comfortable.

Her eyes eventually settled on the large television across the room. She stared at it for a moment, wondering how much something like that must have cost.

Then her earbuds slipped from her bag.

Mia heard it hit the floor behind her.

She turned and stepped toward it, but before she could reach it, her leg accidentally nudged the object farther away.

"Seriously?"

She sighed under her breath and followed it. As she bent down to pick it up, a thought suddenly crossed her mind.

"I shouldn't start wandering around this man's house. So he doesn't looks at me like I'm some low-life beggar."

She picked up the fallen object and straightened.

That was when she noticed the door.

Something about it immediately caught her attention.

It was locked.

Mia stared at the door for a few seconds before slowly stepping closer. Her curiosity grew when she noticed something dark smeared across its surface.

She leaned forward.

Blood?

Her eyes widened. No. That couldn't be possible. She moved closer, staring intensely at the stain.

It was blood... human blood. A cold feeling crept through her stomach.

What was human blood doing on a locked door?

Her mind began racing. "Is Lancaster a murderer?"

"No..."

She shook her head quickly. "No, no, no..."

But the thought refused to leave.

Suddenly, everything seemed to make sense.

The invitation, the strange way he had looked at her, that smile.

Maybe... maybe he had invited her here because he was one of those people who preyed on women.

Mia's breathing became shallow.

She slowly reached toward the door, her fingers hovering just above the handle.

Before she could touch it, a voice came from directly behind her.

"Didn't think you'd find out this soon."

Mia's entire body went rigid. She spun around so quickly that her foot caught against the floor.

She stumbled backward.

"Ah!"

For a terrifying second, she thought she was going to hit the ground. But someone caught her before she could fall.

Mia froze.

She slowly looked up... and her heart nearly stopped.