As if on cue, his phone vibrated again. Nicholas Grant sent a terse and direct message. "We should talk. Meet me at our customary location."
Adrian's jaw constricted. He realised he couldn't dodge the encounter any longer. He wanted answers, and Nicholas represented his greatest opportunity to receive them.
He arrived at the agreed-upon meeting location—an elegant restaurant on the waterfront where they had previously conducted business.
Nicholas was already present, drinking a glass of whisky, his countenance unreadable.
"Why did you message me, Nicholas?" Adrian asked his tone firm yet tinged with an underlying urgency.
"Adrian," Nicholas said, his voice smooth but tinged with tension. "I'm glad you came."
Adrian's demeanor was resolute as he settled into his seat opposite Nicholas, his gaze unwavering and filled with a mix of suspicion and determination.
The ambient sounds of the restaurant seemed to fade into the background as he confronted his former business partner.
"Cut the crap, Nicholas," Adrian began, his voice firm and cutting through the tension between them. "Why do you use my wife against me?"
Nicholas's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise crossing his features before he masked it with a smirk. "Ah, so you've found out about that, huh? What do you plan to do about it?" he chuckled, his voice laced with amusement.
Adrian leaned forward, his hands clenched into fists. "Don't play games with me, Nicholas. I know you've been working against me and for someone else. Who is the Puppet Master? And what is their endgame?"
Nicholas sighed and swirled his whisky around in his glass. "The Puppet Master is a menacing figure in the shadows.
They contacted me with an offer I couldn't refuse: the opportunity to extend my empire and control the board from behind the scenes, and you know how much I enjoy power and control."
"And Eva?" Adrian pressed with a chilly voice.
Nicholas paused, his gaze shifting away. "She served a purpose, Adrian. "A pawn in a much bigger game."
Adrian's blood became chilly. He had assumed this, but having it verified made his chest throb with wrath and grief. "What more did you want with her?"
Nicholas' smirk returned, tainted with venom. "Her abilities." I saw potential in her, just as the puppet master saw it in me.
But it appears they've exhausted my usefulness." And do you really know who your wife is?
Adrian stood abruptly, scraping his chair against the floor. "You are done, Nicholas. I never want to see you around me or Eva again."
Nicholas lifted an eyebrow, changing his demeanor from cocky to wary. "And what are you going to do? Hunt down for me or the Puppet Master? Best of luck, Adrian. "You'll need it.
Adrian turned on his heel and went away, leaving Nicholas sitting there, his smirk faded to doubt.
I stormed out of the restaurant, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. The truth about Eva and the Puppet Master gnawed at me, leaving me torn between anger, betrayal, and a deep-seated desire for justice. I needed to find Eva, to talk to her, to understand her side of the story.
Driving back to my penthouse, my thoughts raced. As I entered, the emptiness of the place hit me—a stark reminder of Eva's absence. I found myself standing in the middle of the living room, surrounded by memories of our time together.
My phone buzzed again, startling me. It was a text message from Isabella: "Meet me at the safe house. We need to talk."
I wasted no time. Grabbing my keys, I headed back out into the night, driving with purpose to the safe house where Isabella had taken me.
When I arrived, Isabella greeted me at the door, her expression grim. "Eva, we need to talk."
Inside, I sat on the couch, my eyes red-rimmed from crying. I looked up as Adrian entered, a mixture of relief and fear crossing my face.
Adrian," I said softly, my voice trembling. "I'm so sorry."
He approached me slowly, his heart aching at the sight of my distress. "Eva, what's going on? Is it true? Were you working for Nicholas?"
I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes. "Yes, but... Adrian, I never wanted to hurt you. I was forced into this. The Puppet Master... they manipulated me, threatened me. I had no choice."
Adrian sank onto the couch beside me, his mind reeling. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I was scared," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. "I thought I could handle it on my own. I didn't want you to get hurt."
Isabella interjected, her tone firm. "The Puppet Master is the real threat here. They've been pulling the strings, using Nicholas, using Eva. We need to find them before they cause any more damage."
Adrian's jaw clenched, his resolve hardening. "I want to help. Whatever it takes, we'll bring them down."
Isabella nodded, her eyes steely with determination. "We have a lead. One of my contacts has tracked down a location where the Puppet Master might be hiding out."
Adrian turned to me, his gaze softening. "Are you okay?"
I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips despite the tears. "I will be. With you and Isabella by my side, I know we can do this."
We devised a strategy, collaborating with Isabella's contacts, to raid the Puppet Master's lair. The hours passed in a whirlwind of preparation—gathering weapons, mapping out the spot, and bracing ourselves for the upcoming battle.
As daylight came, we approached the abandoned warehouse where the Puppet Master was said to be hiding.
The air was thick with anxiety, and every stride echoed the weight of our task. Isabella led the way with measured and precise moves.
Adrian walked with me, providing reassurance in the midst of uncertainty. We were now a team, unified against the dark individual who had caused so much anguish and betrayal.
As we approached our destination, the graffiti-covered halls seemed to stretch indefinitely. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, a combination of fear and resolve pushing me on.
Finally, we arrived at the main chamber—a big, empty area with a single figure standing in the center.
The Puppet Master wore a fitted suit and a mask that covered their face.
"You've come," their voice boomed through the warehouse, cold and calm.