Chapter 5
1157 Words
Chapter 5
Meanwhile, not too far away, at the sprawling Madoff Mansion, a man in an expensive black tailored suit sat lazily in his study. His long fingers were wrapped around a wine glass, while his other hand held a newspaper.
“Is she really back?”
His voice came out low and controlled, but there was something beneath it, something that betrayed the emotions he was trying so hard to suppress.
“Yes, sir. I saw her with my own eyes,” his assistant, Felix, responded swiftly.
He knew exactly how much Adele had meant to Lucien. He knew how Lucien had done everything he could to secure their marriage. But she had run away, like prey escaping from its predator.
“Hmm.”
Lucien hummed faintly as he took another gulp of wine. The familiar burn did little to calm the tightness in his chest. He could feel his heart clenching hard, bringing back the exact feeling he had experienced three years ago when she had run away.
Was he really that bad?
A humorless smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He shook his head slightly, almost mocking himself. Then, without another word, he closed the newspaper and dropped it onto the table.
His gaze shifted to the wine glass in his hand. He stared at it as if he were inspecting some strange laboratory investigation.
“Burn the papers. And make sure you keep the news about the Waltcoff family away from me.”
His voice was ice cold.
The last thing he wanted was to be reminded of that day three years ago.
“Yes... yes, sir.”
Felix stuttered as he picked up the papers and walked toward the chimney. Honestly, he didn't expect anything less from his boss. That man barely showed emotions.
“Any update on the deal?” Lucien asked, his eyes still fixed on the documents he had just pulled before him.
His assistant hesitated.
“Yes, sir. I looked into everything.”
“And?”
“The partners have been making some very interesting moves behind your back.”
Lucien finally raised his eyes.
“What kind of moves?”
He spoke softly, yet somehow his words felt more threatening than a shout.
Felix swallowed.
“The kind that made me wonder why they were so eager to convince you that the company was doing well.”
He raised his tablet to show the front the partners had been trying to put up.
But instead, his eyes narrowed as if he had seen something entirely unexpected.
“Go on.”
Lucien's teeth clenched.
Felix was halfway through checking for information about the malicious partners when something interrupted him. He glanced at the screen, expecting another bank alert or an urgent message from the board.
Instead, it was a notification from his boss's private email.
The subject read:
Marriage Proposal!
He opened it.
The proposal was beautifully formatted, complete with Adele's photograph, family background, education, and even a list of reasons why she would make an excellent wife.
But the caption at the top nearly made him choke.
“Dear Mr. Madoff, I heard no woman is brave enough to marry you. I'm available. Please note that I come with my own handbag and emotional damage. No refunds.”
Felix stared at the screen for a moment, completely speechless.
“Sir... Miss Adele Waltcoff has just sent a proposal.”
He paused, still struggling to believe what he was saying.
“A marriage proposal.”
He walked closer and showed Lucien what he had just seen.
Lucien leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the screen. Slowly, he rubbed his index finger over his upper lip, tracing the edge of his mustache.
A low, vibrating chuckle rumbled from his chest.
His lips curled into an amused smirk, and for a brief moment, the coldness in his eyes disappeared.
“Well,” he murmured, his eyes glinting with amusement. “This is certainly interesting.”
“Would you accept...?”
“Reject it.” He barely allowed Felix to complete his sentence.
Lucien's voice was deep and firm, carrying a quiet authority that made those two words sound less like a suggestion and more like an order.
“Are you sure, sir?” The question had already left Felix's mouth before he realized it was not a question he should have asked.
He quickly lowered his gaze.
Lucien didn't even bother answering.
Felix quietly nodded and rejected the proposal.
“Continue.”Lucien raised one hand, signaling his assistant to continue.
“Sir, these partners are malicious. They've been deliberately withholding information, twisting agreements, and quietly working against your interests.”
“Do the needful, Felix.”
Lucien's expression hardened.
“I need them disgraced. I need them to lose everything they ever worked hard for.”
His hands curled into fists, and his lips tightened.
One thing he hated was for people to take him for a fool.
And now, he would have to prove otherwise In style.
***
A few miles away, Adele blinked several times, not understanding why he had rejected her.
“Really, Mr. Grumpy? Are you really going to do this?”
She stared at the laptop screen for a few seconds before closing it.
“Two can play then,” she whispered as a small smile appeared on her lips.She wasn't going to give up, not now, not ever.
She picked up her phone and read about the event that would be held tomorrow. But what caught her attention the most was the fact that the Harrington family would be there.
“Tomorrow is going to be a long day!”
She sighed, her eyes reflecting the pain she had carried for years.
“Get ready for me, ex-husband.”
“And I will be there with you all through.”
Zion smiled. His lips curled into a slow, mischievous smile, the kind that made it obvious he had just thought of something he had no intention of behaving about. His eyes glinted with quiet amusement as he leaned back, already enjoying the trouble he was about to cause.
“Zion! You need to let me do things myself, okay? I need you to be well-behaved and don't sabotage my plans.”
She whined,she knew her brother like the back of her hand.
“Okay, Mummy,” he teased.
Then, for the first time, Zion actually looked serious. His eyes turned hollow, suddenly telling a tale of their own.
“You know you remind me of our mother.”
Adele took in a slow breath.“I just wished she was here. It would have been perfect.”
“And who says she isn't here with us?”
Zion's expression softened. “She will always be in our hearts.” He smiled gently.
Adele was thrown back a little.“Who are you, and where is my brother?”
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