The heir of the Wolfe

Chapter five: inside his world

Be ready. For what? He hadn’t explained.

And somehow, that made it worse. Jane stood in front of the mirror in her small apartment, adjusting the simple black dress she had chosen.

It wasn’t expensive, wasn’t designed to impress—but it fit her well, and more importantly, it gave her control. A knock on the door broke her thoughts.

Jane grabbed her bag and opened it. The driver stood outside. “Mr. Wolfe sent me.” Of course he did. Jane nodded once and stepped out, locking the door behind her without another word.

The car ride was quiet. The city lights blurred past the window as Jane sat back, her mind running through possibilities.

The building in front of her wasn’t just expensive. It was elite. The kind of place where power didn’t just exist—it gathered.

She exhaled slowly and walked inside. The atmosphere shifted immediately. Soft music, polished floors, quiet conversations filled with influence and money.

“You’re late.” Jane turned.

Adrian stood behind her, his gaze sharp, his presence commanding as always. He looked different tonight—more refined, more dangerous.

Like he belonged in this world completely.

“I arrived on time,” she said calmly.

“Next time, be early.” Jane held his gaze.

“Noted.” A pause. Then he stepped closer. Too close. “Stay with me,” he said quietly.

“That’s the job, isn’t it?” “Tonight, more than usual.” Something in his tone made her chest tighten slightly, but she didn’t show it.

“Understood,” Jane said.

As they walked into the room together, the attention shifted. Jane felt it instantly. Eyes turning. Conversations lowering. Curiosity rising.

“Who is she?”

“New?” “She’s with him.”

The whispers were quiet, but they were there. Jane kept her posture straight, her expression neutral

They stopped near a group of well-dressed individuals, their attention immediately shifting to Adrian.

“Mr. Wolfe.” “Good evening.” “Adrian.”

Respect. Power. Influence. It surrounded him. Jane stood slightly behind him, listening, observing, learning.

This was his world. Sharp, controlled, strategic. And yet, even here, she could feel it—that tension between them, unspoken but present.

“Adrian.” The voice was soft. Familiar. Jane’s focus shifted immediately.

Elisa stepped forward, elegant as always, her presence effortless. Her eyes moved to Adrian first, then slowly to Jane.

“You didn’t tell me you were attending tonight,” Elisa said, her tone light but measured.

“Plans changed,” Adrian replied.

Elisa’s smile didn’t falter, but something in her gaze sharpened.

“They usually do.” Then she looked directly at Jane.

Not a glance. A full, deliberate look. “And this is?” Silence settled for a brief moment. Jane didn’t speak. Didn’t move. She waited.

Because this mattered. Adrian looked at Elisa, then at Jane. And again, there was no hesitation. “Jane Blackwood,” he said. “My assistant.” The words were simple.

“I see,” she said softly.

Jane met her gaze, calm, steady, unshaken. Elisa stepped slightly closer. “You seem new.”

“I am,” Jane replied evenly.

“Then you’ll learn quickly,” Elisa said, her voice smooth.

“This world requires… understanding.” Jane didn’t look away. “I learn fast.” A brief silence followed. Then Elisa smiled again, but this time it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sure you do.”

Adrian’s presence shifted slightly beside Jane, subtle but noticeable.

“That’s enough,” he said calmly. Elisa’s gaze flicked back to him, then softened again.

“Of course.” But the message had already been delivered.

At one point, as the crowd shifted and the music softened, Adrian stepped closer again.

“You handled that well,” he said quietly. Jane didn’t look at him.

“I did my job.” “You did more than that.” Jane turned slightly.

“Don’t read into it.” His gaze held hers.

“Too late.” Her breath slowed. “This is exactly what I meant.” “What?” “Lines.” A pause. Then he stepped even closer, his voice lower now.

“You’re already crossing them.” Jane’s pulse quickened, but her expression stayed calm.

“So are you.” Silence. Heavy. Dangerous. Neither of them moved. Not until—“Adrian.” Elisa’s voice again, Sharp this time. Intentional. The moment broke instantly. Adrian stepped back, his expression returning to control.

Jane exhaled slowly, grounding herself again. Elisa approached, her smile back in place, but her eyes were different now. More aware. More certain.

“They’re asking for you,” she said to Adrian. He nodded once.

“I’ll be there.” Elisa didn’t move immediately. Instead, she looked at Jane one more time.

“Be careful,” she said softly. “This place changes people.” Jane met her gaze.

“Only if they let it.” Elisa’s smile faded slightly. Then she turned and walked away. The silence that followed was brief—but it said enough.

Adrian looked at Jane, something unreadable in his expression. “We’re leaving,” he said.

Jane nodded once. “Of course.” But as they walked out together, one thing was clear.