CHAPTER TEN:MINE
289 Words
The ballroom glittered with luxury, but Serena felt completely out of place.
Everywhere she looked, powerful people laughed behind expensive glasses of champagne while cameras flashed around them.
And somehow…
Every eye kept landing on her.
More specifically, on her and Adrian.
“You look nervous,” Adrian murmured beside her.
Serena forced a smile. “That’s because your world feels like a reality show for rich villains.”
His lips twitched slightly.
They moved through the crowd together, attracting attention instantly. People greeted Adrian carefully, almost fearfully, while openly staring at Serena.
She understood why.
The ruthless heir never arrived with anyone.
But tonight, he arrived with her.
“Mr. Knight!”
A reporter suddenly approached them excitedly.
Serena internally panicked.
“Is it true Knight Empire will announce a partnership with Laurent Holdings tonight?”
Vanessa, standing nearby, smiled immediately.
Clearly expecting Adrian to confirm it.
Instead, Adrian replied calmly, “No.”
The smile vanished from Vanessa’s face.
The reporter blinked awkwardly. “Oh… then is tonight’s event personal?”
Another dangerous question followed immediately.
“Who is the woman accompanying you tonight?”
The ballroom quieted slightly.
Serena felt dozens of eyes turn toward them.
Vanessa looked ready to explode.
Adrian remained completely calm.
Then, without warning, he placed a hand against Serena’s lower back and pulled her slightly closer to him.
The movement was possessive.
Intentional.
Deadly.
Serena’s breath caught.
Adrian’s grey eyes stayed on the reporter as he answered.
“She’s with me.”
Gasps spread quietly through the room.
Vanessa looked devastated.
But Adrian didn’t care.
His attention remained fixed on Serena.
And when she finally looked up at him, she realized something terrifying.
He wasn’t pretending anymore. Not even a little.
- Writer
