The heir of the Wolfe

Chapter nine: Meeting madam Wolfe

Jane didn’t slow down as she walked back inside. Her steps were steady, controlled. The air inside the estate felt warmer, heavier, like it was closing in around her. She kept her expression neutral as she passed staff and quiet conversations.

“Jane.” She stopped instantly,His voice; She turned slowly and Adrian stood at the end of the hallway.

“My grandmother wants to see you,” he said.

Jane blinked slightly. “Me?” “Now.” No explanation and No room to question.

Jane nodded once. “Alright.” She followed him down the corridor, the silence between them louder than any conversation He didn’t look at her and he Didn’t speak again And somehow, that felt worse.

They stopped in front of a large wooden door. Adrian turned slightly toward her.

“Be careful what you say.” Jane met his eyes.

“I thought you said I should be smarter.” A brief pause. Then, almost quietly, “This isn’t the same.” Before she could respond, he opened the door. “Come in.” The room was formal, controlled, just like everything else in this house.

His grandmother sat near the window, She didn’t smile as Jane entered.

She simply watched. “So,” she said after a moment, “you’re the assistant.” Jane stepped forward, her posture straight. “Yes, ma’am.” Silence followed as the older woman studied her, taking in every detail, every movement, every breath. “You speak when spoken to.

That’s good,” she said. “But I’ve also heard you speak when you shouldn’t.” Jane didn’t react. “I respond when necessary.” The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And you believe everything requires your response?”

“No,” Jane said calmly. “Only disrespect.” The silence that followed was sharp,Measured and Dangerous.

Adrian remained by the door, watching, saying nothing. The older woman leaned back slightly.

“You have confidence.” “I have self-respect.”

Then a faint, unreadable smile touched her lips. “That can be useful… or destructive.” Jane held her gaze.

“That depends on the situation.” The woman’s eyes flicked briefly toward Adrian before returning to Jane.

“Do you understand the position you’re in?” “Yes.” “Then say it.”

Jane didn’t hesitate. “I work for Mr. Wolfe. I follow his instructions. I do my job.” “And beyond that?” Jane paused for a second.

Then, carefully, “Nothing else concerns me.” The older woman watched her closely, as if weighing every word.

“Good,” she said finally. “Then you’ll stay within that boundary.” The message was clear. Stay in your place.

Jane nodded once. “Of course.”

“Grandmother.” Adrian’s voice cut in, calm but firm. “That will be all.” The older woman didn’t look at him.

“I decide when it’s enough.” A brief silence passed before she stood, her presence filling the room even more. She stepped closer to Jane, stopping just in front of her.

“You’re not the first girl to walk into this house thinking she’s different,” she said quietly. “And you won’t be the last.” Jane didn’t move.

“I’m not trying to be different.” “Good,” the woman replied. “Because girls like you don’t last here.” The words were soft, Then she turned and walked away.

The door closed behind her, leaving the room quieter but no less tense. Jane exhaled slowly, her shoulders still straight, her composure intact.

“That went well,” she said lightly.

Adrian didn’t respond immediately.“You don’t know when to hold back,” he said finally.

Jane turned to him. “She tested me.” “And you pushed back.” “I didn’t lose.” A pause. Adrian stepped closer. “That’s not how this works here.”

Jane met his gaze. “Then maybe it should be.” Something shifted in his expression again that same conflict, that same tension between control and something else.

“You’re making this harder than it needs to be,” he said quietly.

“No,” Jane replied. “I’m just not making it easy.”

For a moment, neither of them moved. The silence stretched, charged, familiar now in a way that made it even more dangerous.

Adrian’s gaze dropped again to her lips before returning to her eyes, Jane felt it. That pull Stronger now and Harder to ignore.

“This is exactly what I warned you about,” he said, his voice lower.

“You didn’t warn me,” she replied softly.

“You tried to control me.” His jaw tightened slightly.

“There’s a difference.” Jane shook her head.

“Not to me.” Another step closer until there was barely any space between them.

“You don’t understand what you’re walking into,” he said. Jane’s breath slowed.

“Then stop pulling me in.” The words landed between them honestly He look at her for a few seconds

“Get some rest,” he said, his tone cold again. “We leave early tomorrow.” Jane nodded slowly.

“Of course… Mr. Wolfe.” The formality returned.

But as she turned and walked away.