The heir of the Wolfe

CHAPTER SEVEN: THE ESTATE

The drive to the countryside was longer this time. Quieter too.

“You’ve been quiet,” Adrian said without looking at her. Jane kept her eyes on the road ahead.

“I’m working.” “Thinking isn’t working.” She turned slightly.

“Then what do you call it?” A pause. “A distraction.” Her brows lifted faintly. “From what?” This time, he looked at her. His gaze lingered just a second too long.

“From what matters.” Jane held his gaze, something in her chest tightening before she looked away again. “Then I’ll try to be less distracting.

“You won’t.” The confidence in his voice made her pulse shift.

“This isn’t the same as before,” he said. Jane stepped out, looking around.

“I can see that.” “Here,” he continued, his voice calm but firm,

“You follow my lead. No challenges. No reactions.”

“You’ll be staying here,” Adrian said, leading her down a long hallway before stopping in front of a door.

Jane pushed it open and stepped inside. The room was large, elegant, and everything was carefully arranged. Too perfect to feel real.

“This is… a lot,” she admitted. “You’ll get used to it.” She turned slightly. “I’m not planning to stay long enough to get used to it.” Adrian’s gaze sharpened.

“Plans change.” Jane met his eyes. “Not mine.” Something passed between them again—unspoken, unresolved. Then he stepped back.

“Be ready in an hour.” And just like that, he was gone.

Jane closed the door behind her, letting out a slow breath as she leaned against it. This place… it felt like a trap disguised as luxury.

An hour later, she found him outside.

Adrian stood near the back of the estate, sleeves rolled, his attention on something in the distance.

For a moment, Jane just watched him. Without the constant pressure of the office, he looked different. Less guarded. Still dangerous, but quieter about it.

“You’re staring.” Her breath caught slightly. “I wasn’t.” He turned then, his eyes landing on her, taking her in slowly. The look lingered. Too long.

“You were.” Jane crossed her arms lightly. “Maybe I was trying to understand you.” That made something shift in his expression. “And?” he asked.

“It’s not working.” A faint smirk touched his lips.

“It’s not supposed to.” He stepped closer, closing the distance between them again.

“You don’t need to understand me, Jane.” Her heartbeat picked up. “Then what do I need?” His gaze dropped briefly to her lips, then back to her eyes.

“To do your job.” The words were controlled. But the look wasn’t. Jane didn’t move. Neither did he. And for a moment just a moment, it felt like the world had narrowed down to the space between them.

“Adrian” “Mr. Wolfe,” he corrected quietly. Jane’s lips parted slightly. “You’re making that difficult.” His eyes darkened. “Good.” The word landed low between them.

A voice broke the moment. “I see you’ve brought her again.” Both of them turned. Elisa stood a few steps away.

“This isn’t your concern.”

Elisa smiled faintly. “Everything about you is my concern.” Her gaze shifted to Jane, slow and deliberate. “Especially her.” Jane met her eyes, steady. “You seem very interested.”

“You’re starting to forget yourself.” Jane held her ground. “I remember exactly who I am.” Elisa stepped closer.

“Then remember who you’re not.” The words were quiet—but they hit hard. Before Jane could respond, Adrian stepped forward, placing himself between them. “That’s enough.” His voice was low. Final. Elisa’s eyes flicked to him, something cold settling behind them.

“This isn’t over,” she said calmly. “It never is.” Then she turned and walked away.

“You said she wouldn’t try anything.” Adrian didn’t look at her. “I said she wouldn’t do it directly.” Jane let out a quiet breath.

“That felt direct enough.” He turned to her then, his expression darker than before. “You shouldn’t have provoked her.” Jane frowned. “I didn’t start that.” “But you continued it.”

The words were sharper now. Jane’s eyes narrowed slightly. “So what—you expect me to just stand there and let her talk to me like that?” “I expect you to be smarter.” The words hit harder than she expected.

A brief silence passed. Then Jane nodded once, her expression closing off slightly. “Understood.” She turned to walk away. “Jane.” She stopped but didn’t turn. Adrian’s voice lowered.

“This isn’t a game.” Jane’s fingers tightened slightly at her side.

“I know,” she said quietly. “That’s why I’m not playing.” And then she walked away, leaving him standing there.

For the first time since she met him, she didn’t wait for his response.

And Adrian Wolfe wasn’t used to that.