CHAPTER4
1139 Words
“Marriage?”
Adrian Calloways deep commanding voice sliced through the air in disbelief.
His sharp jaw tensed and he firmly grasped the glass. Even though he was sitting in the Calloway estate's massive study which was lined with rare books and gold accents, but none of the wealth or influence in this room could change his mind
Adrian had spent his life trying to impress his father, Richard Calloway, a billionaire mogul and ruthless businessman. He stood before him his face unreadable. The fire in his dark eyes remained as fierce as ever despite the years having aged him.
“Yes, marriage,” Richard stated calmly but his tone was harsh. “The moment has come.”
“Now is not the right time.”
His father yelled. “ You'll find time. Adrian you're almost thirty-two years old. You are not getting younger.”
He felt a throbbing headache and he pinched the bridge of his nose. “ What does this have to do with anything?”
Richard's mouth tightened. “ When will you settle down?”
“ Never.”
The was final. No hesitation. No room for argument.
His father's nostrils flared. “That’s not an option, young man.”
Adrian let out a slow breath trying to keep his composure. “Father, I'm building an empire. You want me to become preoccupied with marriage when Calloway Corporation is about to embark on something amazing?”
Richards fist slammed the desk and the whiskey decanter shook. “ Marriage isn't a distraction! You wouldn't be standing here if I hadn't married your mother.”
A smirk formed on Adrians lips. “I can always find a woman, give her a lot of money and she will have as many children as I want—marriage is not necessary—if your only concern is for me to have children.”
Anger made Richard's face turn red. “such nonsense! You will not bring shame to this family.”
Completely unfazed, Adrian stretched his long legs out and leaned back. “Oh? And what do you suggest I do?”
His fathers voice was piercing and cold. “You're getting married.”
Adrian let out a humorless chuckle. Anger simmered beneath his mocking tone as he asked, “ And who exactly do you expect me to marry? Some socialite desperate for my last name? A corporate princess looking for control?”
With his lips curving into something that wasn't quite a smile, Richard said with ease, “ You don't have to search for a bride. Already I've gotten one for you.
Adrian fell silent. Tension tightened his jaw in place as his fingers clenched into fists.
Even before his father uttered the name he knew.
“Moreau Serena.”
The name made Adrian feel a surge of burning rage. His jaw tensed.“Absolutely no.”
Richards eyebrows shot up. “ Why not?”
Adrian rose looming over the desk and pushed back his chair. Because she is cold. Arrogant. Stubborn. A woman who has no heart or warmth and has no business being a Calloway.”
Richard kept his eyes fixed. “ You just described yourself. You two are a perfect match. she is the heir to Moreau Enterprises which will be tied to our business if she marries you. It's a calculated move Adrian. A legacy that will be secured.”
Serena Moreau was someone he had previously met. She had been distant, and filled with cold indifference.
He had heard rumors that she had allowed Moreau Enterprises to fail and that she was nothing more than a failed heiress who lived in the shadow of her mothers glory.
Adrian asked in a low menacing voice. “And if I refuse?”
Richard's next words were calm but sounded like a warning. “ You leave me no choice. You will no longer be my son.”
His father was a tough nut to c***k. How is he going to explain to his father that he has no interest in marriage?
Even a commitment was beyond his choice. Women were always drawn to him. All he did was make them warm his bed and after that toss them away like trash.
The atmosphere was filled with an oppressive silence.
Adrians eyes became gloomy. “You’re saying that I'll be disowned? Because of her?”
Richard didn't blink. “ I'm protecting the Calloway legacy. I will strip you of everything if you don't agree, including your name, inheritance and position.”
Adrian gritted his teeth so hard it ached. His whole life had been devoted to proving himself to this man. seeking his fathers approval at all costs.
However the old man wants more from him. And now his father was willing to throw him under the bus because of Serena Moreau.
With a slow breath Adrian let his anger settle beneath the surface.
This was beyond marriage. This had to do with power. Command.
Adrians hands trembled in rage.
“ So that’s it? You're readyto disown me if I don't comply?”
Richards face was stern. “It's not about disowning you. The future needs to be secured. You're my son. And a Calloway. A Calloway does not defy legacy.”
Adrian tightened his lips. His fathers words were like a vice pressing down on him. He had given up relationships, sacrificed sleep and everything else to build the company, the empire it is today.
And now, his father is threatening to cut him out. To yank everything from his grip.
His twitched. Being forced into a tight corner made him furious. But what choice does he have?
He's free to walk away.
Build from scratch.
Build an empire without the Calloway name. But it will take years of sweat, pain, sacrifice and hardwork.
Years of seeing what he had built controlled by someone else. Some unworthy looser.
Years of watching the business he had dedicated his life to, slip through his fingers.
No. He won't let that happen. Adrian let out a slow breath and stood up straight. He looked at his father coldly.
“ Fine,” he said in an emotionless tone. “I'm going to marry her.”
For a moment , Richard studied his son. He knew he'd come around. If he pressed the right buttons. “Then it's settled, son.”
“Not for you,” Adrian added coldly. Not because of some absurd idea of legacy. I'm doing this for the company. My business.”
Richard nodded slowly but his face was unreadable. “Great.”
Adrians fists tightened at his sides. Damn it.
He was going to marry Serena Moreau.
This wasn't about love. Nor Legacy.
His father wasn't saying the whole truth behind this. He knew there was more to this marriage and he'll get to the root of this!
- Writer
