THE BILLIONER I COULDN'T STAND

THE RULES

Chapter Three — The Rules

Monday morning arrived sooner than Lucy wanted.

She stood outside Cross Enterprises, staring at the enormous building.

"Okay, Lucy," she whispered. "It's just a job. You can do this."

She walked inside.

The receptionist smiled.

"Good morning, Miss Bennett."

"Good morning."

"You've been assigned to the executive floor."

Lucy nodded.

She stepped into the elevator and watched the numbers rise.

When the doors opened, she immediately noticed how quiet the floor was.

Everyone seemed focused.

Nobody spoke loudly.

Nobody laughed.

Lucy understood why.

Adrian Cross was nearby.

She walked toward her assigned desk and placed her handbag down.

A few minutes later, an assistant approached.

"Lucy?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Clara. I'll show you around."

Lucy followed her through the office.

"Adrian expects a lot from his employees," Clara explained.

"I noticed."

"He also hates being late."

"I know."

"And he doesn't like people arguing with him."

Lucy smiled.

"Then he's definitely going to hate me."

Clara laughed.

"You already know?"

"Unfortunately."

Before Clara could answer, a familiar voice came from behind them.

"Are you two discussing me?"

Lucy turned.

Adrian stood there.

His expression was serious, but his eyes were slightly amused.

Clara immediately straightened.

"Good morning, Mr. Cross."

"Morning."

His eyes moved to Lucy.

"You're late."

Lucy looked at the clock.

"I'm actually five minutes early."

Adrian glanced at his watch.

"You're right."

Lucy smiled.

"I usually am."

Clara quickly looked away to hide her laughter.

Adrian gave Lucy a warning look.

"Come with me."

Lucy followed him into his office.

He handed her several folders.

"I need these organized before lunch."

She looked at the stack.

"That's a lot."

"Is that a problem?"

"No."

"Good."

Lucy turned toward the door.

"One more thing."

She looked back.

"Yes?"

"Rule number one."

Lucy raised an eyebrow.

"There's a rule?"

"There are several."

"Of course there are."

Adrian ignored her.

"Rule number one: don't discuss company business outside this building."

"Fine."

"Rule number two: don't enter my office without permission."

"Fine."

"Rule number three: if you make a mistake, tell me immediately."

Lucy nodded.

"Okay."

Adrian looked at her.

"And rule number four."

"What?"

"Don't call me arrogant."

Lucy stared at him.

"I never said you were arrogant."

"You were thinking it."

She smiled.

"Maybe."

Adrian sighed.

"Go."

Lucy walked out, trying not to laugh.

By noon, Lucy had finished the folders.

She carried them into Adrian's office.

"Done."

He looked through them.

Everything was organized perfectly.

He nodded.

"Good."

Lucy smiled.

"Thank you."

Adrian looked at her.

"You learn quickly."

"I told you I'm determined."

"I remember."

He closed the folder.

"You can take lunch."

Lucy checked the time.

"Already?"

"It's twelve-thirty."

She nodded.

"Okay."

She turned to leave.

"Lucy."

She stopped.

"Yes?"

"Where are you going?"

"Lunch."

"With who?"

She looked confused.

"Why?"

Adrian hesitated.

"I need you to accompany me to a meeting."

"Oh."

Lucy checked her phone.

"When?"

"Now."

She sighed.

"Fine."

The meeting was held at an elegant restaurant downtown.

Lucy sat beside Adrian while several business executives discussed a possible partnership.

She took notes quietly.

Adrian remained calm throughout the meeting, asking precise questions and correcting details whenever necessary.

Lucy watched him carefully.

For the first time, she saw why people respected him.

He wasn't simply rich.

He was intelligent.

He understood business.

And when he spoke, everyone listened.

After the meeting ended, one of the executives approached Adrian.

"Excellent work, Mr. Cross."

"Thank you."

The man looked at Lucy.

"Your assistant?"

Adrian glanced at her.

"Yes."

The executive smiled.

"She's very young."

Lucy smiled politely.

"I'm twenty."

"I see."

The man walked away.

Lucy looked at Adrian.

"Do people always assume I'm younger?"

"Sometimes."

"Does it bother you?"

"No."

They walked outside.

A black car waited near the entrance.

Adrian opened the back door.

"Get in."

Lucy stopped.

"You're driving me back?"

"We're going to the office."

She got inside.

Adrian sat beside her.

For several minutes, neither spoke.

Then Lucy broke the silence.

"You were different in there."

Adrian looked at her.

"Different how?"

"More professional."

His eyebrow lifted.

"What am I usually?"

"Annoying."

He stared at her.

Lucy smiled.

"I'm joking."

"No, you're not."

She laughed.

Adrian looked out the window.

But Lucy noticed something.

He was smiling.

When they returned to the office, Lucy's phone rang.

She answered.

"Hello?"

It was her mother.

"Lucy, darling, can you come over this evening?"

"Sure. Why?"

"I want to talk to you."

"Okay."

After ending the call, Lucy returned to her desk.

Adrian noticed her expression.

"Everything okay?"

"Yes."

"You sure?"

Lucy nodded.

"My mother just wants to see me."

He nodded.

"Then go."

She looked surprised.

"I still have work."

"I can handle the rest."

Lucy smiled.

"Thank you."

She packed her things.

Before leaving, she looked toward Adrian's office.

"Goodnight."

He looked up.

"Goodnight, Lucy."

She walked away.

Neither of them noticed a man standing across the street from the building.

He had been watching Cross Enterprises for several minutes.

When Lucy stepped outside, his eyes followed her.

Then he pulled out his phone.

"She's working for Adrian Cross now."

A voice answered.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Then keep watching."

The man ended the call.

That evening, Lucy arrived at her mother's house.

Her mother opened the door.

"Come in."

Lucy smiled.

"What's going on?"

Her mother hesitated.

"There is something I need to tell you."

Lucy immediately became serious.

"What?"

Her mother sat down.

"You remember the Rolex I asked you to collect?"

"Of course."

"There's something strange about it."

Lucy frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Her mother looked toward the hallway before speaking.

"I didn't order that watch for myself."

Lucy stared at her.

"Then who was it for?"

Her mother took a deep breath.

"It was a gift."

"From who?"

Her mother looked at Lucy.

"Your father."

Lucy froze.

"My father?"

Her father had been gone for several years.

"What does Dad have to do with a Rolex?"

Her mother reached into a drawer and pulled out a small envelope.

"I found this after he died."

Lucy slowly opened it.

Inside was a photograph.

Her father's face appeared beside another man.

Lucy stared at the photograph.

She didn't recognize the stranger.

But there was something familiar about him.

Her mother whispered,

"That's Richard Cross."

Lucy's eyes widened.

"Adrian's father?"

Her mother nodded.

Lucy stared at the photograph again.

Suddenly, the Rolex didn't seem like an ordinary gift anymore.

And somewhere across the city, Adrian Cross was about to discover that Lucy Bennett's family was connected to his in a way neither of them had expected.