Adrien’s POV
No. Again, no.
She stepped out in another red dress—too short. I didn’t even bother to look up from my phone this time. My patience was getting thin at the edges.
Why the hell was this taking so long?
It should’ve been simple. Pick a dress, make her look presentable and show up at the damn dinner. End of story.
But nothing was simple when it came to her.
And the worst part?
Each time she walked out in something new, it got harder to breathe. The way the silk hugged her hips, the glimpse of skin that peeked through a slit and the curve of her collarbone when she tilted her head—it was like she was intentionally torturing me. Every single dress tested my self-control.
God, her body was dangerous.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to focus. I couldn’t let this get to me. This was her plan. Her plan. Look pretty. Play the helpless act and get inside my head. Seduce the boss. Manipulate his wallet. Then cry when she gets caught.
Not this time.
I would not be her fool. No matter how stupidly hot she looked.
My jaw clenched as I checked the time. If she didn’t wear something good in the next ten minutes, we’d be late. I opened my mouth to call the manager over again when—
She walked out.
And just like that, my thoughts stopped immediately
Fuck.
The dress was black. Smooth, fitted like a damn glove with just the right amount of skin showing. Her legs looked longer. Her waist was impossibly tiny. The neckline—low enough to draw the eye but not scream desperation. Her hair flowed over her shoulders in soft waves and her eyes... Her eyes were something else. Soft. Unaware. Dangerous.
It wasn’t just the dress that was beautiful.
It was her.
For a second—just a blink of a second—I forgot who she was.
And then it hit me. No. No, no, no. I was playing right into her hands.
I tore my gaze away and cleared my throat, hard.
"That one," I said too sharply.
I didn’t wait for her response. I turned and marched toward the cashier like I was escaping something.
Because I was. I didn’t know what the hell this feeling was but I knew one thing:
It was not part of the plan.
*****
The drive was quiet.
Thank God.
I needed silence to pull myself together. She sat beside me, the scent of her perfume teasing the air between us, her legs crossed in that irritating elegant way. I kept my eyes on the road refusing to look at her again. Not now. Not when we were minutes away from chaos.
Family dinners were always a performance.
We pulled up to the estate. The valet opened her door before I could stop himand I caught the curious look in his eye. My jaw tightened.
She stepped out gracefully, the black dress clinging to her as if even it didn’t want to let go.
Stop it.
We made our way to the entrance and her heels echoing against the marble like a countdown to war.
And then the doors opened.
"My baby!" my mother gasped, rushing forward with open arms.
She looked like a queen as always─silky dark gown, pearls and a smile that could freeze hell over when she wanted. But not now. Now, she was practically glowing.
I let her hug me and I even returned it. She always smelled like jasmine and strength.
Behind her, my father stood like a statue. He gave a stiff nod. No surprise there.
Then came the welcoming committee:
Aunt Caroline and Uncle Jared, full of forced smiles and family gossip.
My stepmother, Yvonne, with her fake concern and overpriced Botox. I wonder where her son is. I never admitted him as my brother.
And last but not least, my younger sister Elara, dressed like she ruled the world and had something sarcastic to say about it.
Their eyes flicked to the woman behind me. Her presence didn’t just walk into a room─it owned it even if she didn’t know it.
ISABELLA’S POV
The house was the kind of place people whispered about─huge, elegant and painfully perfect. A mansion that seemed too polished to be lived in. I followed Adrien in quietly unsure of where to look or who to acknowledge.
A woman rushed forward with a radiant smile and pulled him into a warm hug kissing his cheek like she’d missed him for years. His shoulders didn’t stiffen the way I expected. If anything, he almost... softened.
She must be his mother. Or someone close enough to be one.
Others trailed behind her─people dressed well, faces curious and expressions flickering with interest or judgment. They exchanged polite greetings with Adrien. A few hugs. Some just nods. One man stood out─tall, stern, distant. He offered nothing but a sharp nod and Adrien barely returned it. I didn’t know who was who but I kept my head low and followed behind him like a well-trained assistant... or whatever I was supposed to be tonight.
We walked into the dining room and I sat on Adrien’s left. The place was ridiculous─long table, gleaming silverware, expensive-looking everything. I tried not to look too lost or touch anything I wasn’t supposed to.
Then the doors opened again.
Another man walked in like he owned the entire place. Tall, striking, with an easy smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He didn’t glance toward the woman who had greeted Adrien so warmly. Instead he gave a simple "Hey, Mom," to a different woman at the table, and a nod to the man who’d given Adrien that sharp look earlier.
Then he sat─right beside Adrien.
"I didn’t expect you to come for the family reunion," the guy said smoothly, lifting his napkin. "I thought CEOs had more important things to do. Like running their company."
His tone wasn’t casual. Not really.
It was bait.
Adrien didn’t flinch, he didn’t blink nor did he even grace him with a look. Just... silence. Thick and Heavy like a warning bell before a storm. I guess he really is like that to everyone.
I stared down at my lap, pretending not to feel the tension slowly creeping into the room like smoke.