Chapter 9 — The Man Who Refuses to Lose
1678 Words
Olivia stood in the apartment lobby long after Robert Kingsley left.
Her fingers were still holding the card he had given her.
A simple white card.
But it felt heavier than anything she had ever held before.
Daniel shifted awkwardly nearby.
“Miss Bennett…”
Olivia didn’t look at him.
“Does Adrian know his father came here?”
Daniel hesitated.
“…No.”
Olivia finally turned her head.
“So this was Robert’s idea alone?”
“Yes.”
She laughed softly, but there was no humor in the sound.
“Great. Now I have two powerful men chasing me.”
Daniel didn’t respond.
Olivia looked down at the card again.
Robert Kingsley.
Just the name alone carried enough influence to shake entire industries.
She suddenly tore the card in half.
Then again.
Daniel’s eyes widened slightly.
“That might not be wise.”
Olivia dropped the pieces into a trash bin.
“I’m done being intimidated.”
Daniel studied her expression.
“You’re very determined.”
“I have to be.”
Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach again.
Daniel noticed the gesture but said nothing.
After a moment he spoke carefully.
“Mr. Kingsley is not trying to hurt you.”
Olivia raised an eyebrow.
“Which one?”
Daniel sighed.
“Adrian.”
“Oh.”
She crossed her arms.
“That’s funny, because everything he’s done lately feels exactly like pressure.”
Daniel thought for a moment.
“He believes the child is his.”
“That doesn’t give him ownership.”
“No.”
“Then why is everyone acting like I’m some kind of incubator for the Kingsley family?”
Daniel had no answer for that.
Olivia shook her head.
“Look, Daniel.”
“Yes?”
“I know you’re just doing your job.”
He nodded slightly.
“But if Adrian keeps pushing like this…”
She paused.
“…I will disappear.”
Daniel’s expression turned serious.
“You mean leave the city.”
“Yes.”
“He already suspects that.”
“I don’t care.”
Olivia turned toward the elevators.
“I’m not staying here to fight the entire Kingsley empire.”
Daniel watched her carefully.
“You might not have that choice.”
Olivia stopped walking.
Slowly she turned back.
“What does that mean?”
Daniel took a breath.
“Mr. Kingsley has already started investigating your relocation plans.”
Her stomach dropped.
“How much does he know?”
“He knows about the interview.”
Olivia’s eyes widened.
“The marketing company?”
“Yes.”
Anger exploded inside her.
“Does he have cameras inside my apartment too?!”
“No.”
“Then how—”
Daniel interrupted quietly.
“The company belongs to a Kingsley subsidiary.”
Olivia felt the world tilt slightly.
“You’re joking.”
“I’m afraid not.”
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
“So that interview…”
“Yes.”
“Was Adrian.”
Daniel didn’t confirm it directly.
But his silence was enough.
Olivia suddenly laughed.
Not a happy laugh.
A furious one.
“That manipulative—”
She stopped herself.
Daniel spoke carefully.
“The job offer is real.”
“Of course it is.”
“But Mr. Kingsley requested that they prioritize your application.”
Olivia ran a hand through her hair.
“I can’t believe this.”
“You wanted a new city.”
“Yes.”
“And he gave you an opportunity.”
“That’s not opportunity, Daniel.”
She looked straight at him.
“That’s control.”
Daniel didn’t argue.
Because deep down, he knew she wasn’t wrong.
Olivia paced across the lobby.
Her mind raced.
“So what’s the plan?” she asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Adrian’s next move.”
Daniel hesitated.
“I believe he plans to speak with you tonight.”
Olivia froze.
“Tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“At the Kingsley estate.”
She laughed again.
“I’m definitely not going there.”
“He expected that.”
“Then why invite me?”
Daniel gave a small shrug.
“Because Mr. Kingsley is very confident.”
Olivia shook her head.
“That man’s ego is unbelievable.”
Daniel checked his watch.
“He should be arriving here soon.”
Olivia blinked.
“Here?”
“Yes.”
“Now?”
Daniel nodded.
As if perfectly timed—
the glass doors of the lobby opened.
A tall figure stepped inside.
Olivia’s heart sank immediately.
Adrian Kingsley.
His dark suit was perfectly tailored as always.
His expression calm.
Controlled.
But his eyes locked onto Olivia the moment he saw her.
“Well,” Olivia muttered under her breath.
“Speak of the devil.”
Adrian walked toward them slowly.
Daniel stepped aside respectfully.
“Mr. Kingsley.”
Adrian nodded once.
“Daniel.”
Then his attention returned entirely to Olivia.
“I heard my father visited.”
Olivia crossed her arms.
“You mean the man who threatened me ten minutes ago?”
Adrian’s jaw tightened slightly.
“He shouldn’t have done that.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.”
“And what are you going to do about it?”
Adrian didn’t answer immediately.
Instead he studied her face carefully.
“You look tired.”
Olivia rolled her eyes.
“Do you practice these lines in front of a mirror?”
Adrian ignored the sarcasm.
“I assume he talked about the baby.”
“That’s putting it lightly.”
Adrian’s gaze darkened.
“What exactly did he say?”
“That he wants his grandchild.”
Adrian muttered something under his breath that Olivia couldn’t hear.
“Figures,” she said.
Adrian stepped closer.
“You don’t need to deal with him.”
Olivia laughed.
“That’s funny coming from you.”
“Why?”
“Because you started this whole mess.”
Adrian’s expression hardened slightly.
“I’m trying to solve it.”
“No.”
She pointed at him.
“You’re trying to control it.”
Adrian didn’t deny it.
“That’s how problems get solved.”
“Not this one.”
They stared at each other for several seconds.
Then Adrian spoke again.
“You had an interview today.”
Olivia’s eyes narrowed.
“Are you going to pretend that wasn’t your doing?”
“I made a phone call.”
“You manipulated the entire situation.”
“I created an opportunity.”
“I don’t want opportunities from you.”
Adrian’s voice dropped slightly.
“You wanted to leave the city.”
“Yes.”
“That job allows you to do that.”
Olivia blinked.
“Wait.”
Something didn’t make sense.
“If you arranged the job…”
“Yes?”
“Why would you help me leave?”
Adrian held her gaze calmly.
“Because running away won’t change the truth.”
Olivia felt her chest tighten.
“And what truth is that?”
Adrian took a slow step closer.
“That child is mine.”
She shook her head immediately.
“You’re still assuming.”
“I’m calculating.”
“Your father said the same thing.”
Adrian’s expression darkened slightly.
“I’m not my father.”
“Prove it.”
Silence filled the lobby.
Then Adrian said something unexpected.
“Take the job.”
Olivia blinked.
“What?”
“Move to the new city.”
Her suspicion grew instantly.
“What’s the catch?”
Adrian looked directly at her stomach.
“The pregnancy.”
Olivia felt a chill.
“What about it?”
Adrian’s voice was calm.
“I’m coming with you.”
Her jaw dropped.
“You’re what?”
“I’ll relocate temporarily.”
Olivia stared at him like he had lost his mind.
“You’re the CEO of a billion-dollar company!”
“I have managers.”
“You have an empire!”
“I have priorities.”
Her voice rose.
“You cannot just move to another city because of me!”
“I’m not moving because of you.”
“Then why?”
Adrian’s gaze dropped briefly to her stomach again.
“Because of my child.”
Olivia felt her heart pounding again.
“You’re insane.”
“No.”
“Yes!”
She pointed toward the door.
“You should go.”
Adrian didn’t move.
“Think about it.”
“I already did.”
“You haven’t.”
“I have.”
Adrian leaned slightly closer.
“If you run…”
His voice softened.
“…I’ll follow.”
Olivia’s chest tightened.
“If you hide…”
He continued.
“…I’ll find you.”
Her breath caught.
“And if that baby is mine…”
His dark eyes locked onto hers.
“…nothing on this earth will keep me away from my child.”
The words sent a strange mixture of fear and emotion through her chest.
But Olivia forced herself to stay strong.
“You’re not the only stubborn person in this story,” she said quietly.
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
“Yes.”
She stepped closer to him.
Close enough that only he could hear her next words.
“If you think you can control my life again…”
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
“…you’re about to be very disappointed.”
For the first time since arriving—
Adrian smiled slightly.
Not a mocking smile.
Not a cold one.
A real one.
“Good,” he said softly.
Olivia frowned.
“Why is that good?”
Adrian straightened his jacket.
“Because I prefer a challenge.”
Then he turned and walked toward the exit.
Before leaving, he paused.
Without looking back, he added—
“Pack your bags, Olivia.”
Her heart skipped.
“Why?”
Adrian’s final words drifted through the lobby.
“Your new job starts next week.”
And just like that—
he walked out.
Leaving Olivia standing there with a terrifying realization.
Her escape plan…
might have just become Adrian’s plan too.
- Writer
