The stranger's sudden appearance at Adrian's door was unsettling. Dressed in a sharp black suit, he exuded a calm yet intimidating presence, the kind of man who rarely showed up uninvited unless it was for something important—or dangerous.
Adrian's sharp gaze never wavered as he stood in the doorway. "I'll ask again—who are you?"
The man pulled a card from his pocket and extended it toward Adrian. "My name is Marcus Stein. I represent Mr. Richard Meyers. He believes it's time you and he had a… conversation."
Adrian's eyes flicked to the card but didn't take it. Instead, his jaw tightened at the mention of Charlotte's father. He had heard of Richard Meyers, an infamous name whispered in elite circles as a businessman willing to use any method—legal or not—to expand his empire. Adrian had always kept his distance from men like him, but now Meyers was inserting himself directly into Adrian's life.
"I have no business with Richard Meyers," Adrian said coldly. "If he wants to speak to me, tell him to make an appointment like everyone else."
Marcus's lips curled into a faint smile, but there was no warmth in it. "Mr. Kingsley, with all due respect, Mr. Meyers isn't the kind of man you make wait. He has information—about you and your company—that I think you'd rather not see the light of day."
Adrian's fingers twitched at his side. "Is that a threat?"
"It's an invitation,Mr Kingsley" Marcus replied smoothly. "Mr. Meyers simply wants to ensure that you understand the stakes of your… association with Ms Charlotte Meyers. You'll find him to be quite persuasive."
Adrian stepped forward, his towering frame casting a shadow over Marcus. "You can tell your boss this: I don't respond to threats, and I don't play by anyone's rules but my own. If he wants a fight, I'm more than ready."
Marcus's expression didn't falter, but his tone turned colder. "That's unfortunate. I hope, for your sake and Ms Charlotte's, that you reconsider." With that, Marcus turned and walked away, leaving Adrian standing in the doorway, his fists clenched and his mind racing.
---
At the Meyers Estate...
Charlotte sat at her vanity, staring blankly at her reflection. Her father's threats replayed in her mind, each word like a dagger cutting deeper into her resolve. She knew Adrian wouldn't back down—he never did—but that stubbornness could cost him everything. Her father was dangerous, and she had no doubt he would destroy Adrian if it meant securing his own power.
Her phone buzzed on the table, and her stomach sank when she saw Adrian's name. She hesitated for a moment before picking up. "Adrian."
"Charlotte," his voice was sharp, laced with frustration and concern. "We need to talk. Now."
She swallowed hard. "Adrian, I can't—"
"Enough with the excuses," he snapped. "Your father sent someone to my apartment tonight. He's trying to intimidate me, and I need to know why."
Charlotte's heart sank. Her father had already started his campaign against Adrian, and it was only a matter of time before things spiraled out of control. "I… I can explain," she stammered. "But not over the phone. Meet me at the café on 34th Street in an hour."
"Fine," Adrian said curtly. "But you better start telling me the truth, Charlotte."
The line went dead, and Charlotte let out a shaky breath. She had spent years running from the past, but now it was catching up to her, faster than she could handle.
---
At the cafe...
The cafe shop nearly empty, the quiet hum of the espresso machine the only sound in the dimly lit space. Charlotte wear light pink t-shirt with long coat and blue jeans and sat at a corner table, her hands wrapped tightly around a steaming cup of tea. She glanced at the door every few seconds, her anxiety building with each passing moment.
When Adrian finally walked in, his presence filled the room. He was dressed in a tailored gray suit, his expression hard and unreadable as his eyes locked onto hers. He strode over to the table and sat across from her without a word.
"Adrian," Charlotte began, but he held up a hand to stop her.
"No more lies," he said firmly. "No more half-truths. I want to know everything—about your father, about why he's targeting me, and why you've been acting like there's a gun to your head since the moment we reconnected."
Charlotte's throat tightened. She had promised herself she would protect Adrian from her father's schemes, but now she had no choice. "My father has always been… controlling," she started, her voice low. "He sees people as pawns in a game, and he doesn't care who he has to hurt to win."
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "What does that have to do with me?"
"He knows about us," she admitted, her voice trembling. "He thinks you're a threat to his power, to his plans. And he'll do whatever it takes to make sure you don't interfere."
Adrian leaned forward, his voice sharp. "What plans, Charlotte? What exactly is he trying to protect?"
Charlotte hesitated, the weight of her father's threats pressing down on her. "There's a deal—something he's been working on for years. It's illegal, dangerous, and if it goes through, it could ruin countless lives. He thinks you're in the way, that you'll expose him."
Adrian's jaw tightened, his eyes burning with determination. "So, what does he expect you to do? Spy on me? Sabotage me?"
Tears welled in Charlotte's eyes. "He wants me to convince you to back off, to stay out of his way. But Adrian, I would never betray you. I didn't come back to hurt you—I came back to protect you."
Adrian's expression softened slightly, but the tension in his shoulders remained. "Protect me from what, Charlotte? Your father? Or the secrets you're still not telling me?"
Charlotte opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, the door to the café swung open, and Marcus walked in, flanked by two burly men in suits. The color drained from Charlotte's face as her father's enforcer approached their table.
"Ms. Meyers," Marcus said smoothly, his eyes flicking between her and Adrian. "Your father would like a word with you. Privately."
Adrian stood abruptly, his towering frame blocking Marcus's view of Charlotte. "She's not going anywhere with you."
Marcus's smile didn't reach his eyes. "This doesn't concern you, Mr. Kingsley. I suggest you step aside."
Adrian crossed his arms, his expression unyielding. "If you think you can walk in here and intimidate her, you're mistaken. Leave, or I'll make you."
Marcus's composure faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Very well," he said, stepping back. "But this isn't over. Mr. Meyers will not be pleased." With that, he and his men turned and left the café, leaving an eerie silence in their wake.
Adrian turned back to Charlotte, his eyes filled with determination. "You're staying with me from now on. I'm not letting him get near you again."
Charlotte's breath hitched. "Adrian, you don't understand. My father—he's dangerous. If you go up against him, he'll destroy you."I don't have all the details," she admitted, shaking her head. "But I need to try to stop him. I have to talk to him one last time, Adrian. He might listen to me."
Adrian frowned. "You really believe that?"
"I don't know," she said, her voice low. "But I have to try. If I don't, I'll never forgive myself."
Adrian's jaw tightened, but he nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But if he tries anything, I'm stepping in. No more chances."
"Thank you," Charlotte whispered, standing up.
As she turned to leave, Adrian called after her. "Charlotte."
She stopped and looked back.
"If he hurts you, I'll make sure he pays," Adrian said, his voice steady.
Charlotte nodded and walked out, determined to confront her father, even if it meant walking into danger.
---
After some time later at Kingsley enterprise...
Adrian paced his sleek office, the city skyline stretching out behind him. His assistant, Ella, entered cautiously.
"Mr. Kingsley, your private investigator has the information you requested," she said, handing him a file.
"Send him in," Adrian replied, his voice cold and focused.
The door opened, and a man in his late forties walked in, carrying a thick dossier. "Mr. Kingsley, I've gathered everything on Richard Meyers," he said, placing the file on the desk.
Adrian sat, flipping through the pages. His sharp eyes scanned details of Meyers' illegal dealings—fraud, bribery, extortion. "This is what he's trying to protect," Adrian muttered.
"Yes," the investigator confirmed. "His biggest concern is an international deal involving Meyers Enterprises and several offshore accounts. If exposed, it could destroy his reputation and business empire."
Adrian leaned back, his mind racing. "What about Charlotte? Has he tried to use her for leverage in any of these deals?"
The investigator hesitated. "There's no direct evidence, but Meyers has a history of using family connections to manipulate partnerships. He may see your relationship as a threat—or an opportunity."
Adrian's jaw tightened. "Keep digging. I want every card Meyers is holding, and I want to know how to destroy his hand without risking Charlotte."
The investigator nodded and left. Adrian stared at the skyline, determination hardening "If Richard Meyers wanted a war, he'd get one."