The days following Adrian's event were a whirlwind of repercussions. Benson's disgrace had sent shockwaves through the Williams family and the business world. But no one felt the weight of the revelations more deeply than Richard Williams.
Sitting in his grand study, the faint glow of a dying fireplace reflected the turmoil in his heart. The grandeur of his estate, the symbols of power and success that had defined his life, now seemed hollow. The truth about Benson's deceit and the undeniable brilliance of Adrian left Richard consumed by guilt and regret.
For years, he had sided with Benson, his arrogance blinding him to Adrian's worth. He had cut Adrian off when he needed him most, trusting the wrong son, and now he was paying the price. Benson's shares in Williams Corp had already been revoked—Richard's first act of retribution for the disgrace his younger son had brought upon their name.
Richard poured himself a glass of whiskey, staring into the amber liquid as though it held the answers he sought. "How could I have been so blind?" he muttered to himself.
The memory of the event replayed in his mind—the power in Adrian's voice as he exposed Benson, the pride with which he spoke of Giga Tech's accomplishments, the calm yet devastating way he dismantled Benson's lies. Richard had never seen Adrian like that before.
For the first time, Richard admitted to himself that Adrian was more than just a son; he was the heir Richard had always needed but had failed to recognize.
"I pushed him away," Richard whispered. "I chose Benson's lies over Adrian's truth."
The thought of approaching Adrian was daunting. How could he face the son he had wronged so profoundly? How could he ask for forgiveness from the very man he had tried to destroy?
After a long night of reflection, Richard made his decision. He would not let his pride stop him from doing what was right. Adrian deserved an apology—a genuine one, not the hollow pleasantries Richard often used to placate business associates.
The following morning, Richard summoned his assistant. "Prepare the car," he instructed. "I'm visiting Adrian."
The assistant blinked in surprise. "Sir, would you like me to arrange a formal meeting?"
"No," Richard replied firmly. "This isn't business. It's personal."
Adrian was in his penthouse office at Giga Tech, reviewing the aftermath of his successful event, when his assistant knocked hesitantly.
"Mr. Williams is here to see you," she said, her tone cautious.
Adrian looked up, startled. "Which one?"
"Your father," she clarified.
Adrian's expression hardened. He hadn't seen Richard since the night of the event, and he wasn't sure he wanted to. Still, curiosity got the better of him. "Send him in."
Richard entered, his usual commanding presence diminished. He looked older, wearier, and uncharacteristically humble. Adrian rose from his chair but didn't extend his hand.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Mr. Williams?" Adrian asked, his voice icy.
Richard flinched at the formal address but didn't let it deter him. "Adrian," he began, his tone heavy with emotion, "I came here to apologize."
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "For what, exactly? For cutting me off? For believing Benson's lies? For trying to sabotage my company?"
"All of it," Richard said, his voice breaking slightly. "I was wrong, Adrian. I was blinded by my own arrogance and by Benson's deceit. I failed you as a father, and I have no excuse for that."
Adrian studied him, his face unreadable. "Why now? Is this about salvaging your reputation? Or are you here because you've finally realized I don't need you?"
Richard shook his head. "This isn't about me. It's about you, Adrian. Watching you at that event, seeing the man you've become—it made me realize how much I've lost by pushing you away. I don't expect forgiveness, but I hope we can start over."
Adrian leaned back in his chair, his gaze piercing. "Do you really think an apology will fix everything? You didn't just push me away—you made me fight for everything I have while you handed Benson the world on a silver platter."
Richard's shoulders slumped. "You're right. I can't undo the past. But I want to make amends. I want you to come back home—not for the business, not for the shares, but as my son."
Adrian was silent for a long moment. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady. "You say you want to make amends. Then prove it. Not with words, but with actions. If you're serious about rebuilding this relationship, it's going to take time. And it's going to be on my terms."
Richard nodded, his expression a mix of relief and determination. "I'll do whatever it takes."
Adrian stood, signaling the end of the conversation. "Then we'll see. For now, I have work to do."
As Richard left the office, a small part of Adrian felt a flicker of hope. For years, he had longed for his father's acknowledgment, and while he wasn't ready to forgive just yet, he couldn't deny that Richard's visit was a step in the right direction.
Adrian leaned back in his chair, staring at the city skyline as the setting sun cast a golden glow across the glass buildings. He had finally done it—cleared his name, exposed Benson, and solidified Giga Tech as a powerhouse in the tech industry. The city's elite were clamoring for partnerships, their invitations and offers piling up on his desk. But none of it mattered right now.
For once, Adrian wanted to step away from the relentless grind and focus on what truly mattered: Grace.
She had been his anchor during his darkest days, the one person who believed in him when no one else did. She saw the man he could be, not the one everyone else dismissed. Grace wasn't just his partner in business, she was his partner in life. Adrian had made her the face of Giga Tech, but even that didn't feel like enough.
Adrian rose from his chair, determination in his eyes. "She deserves the world," he murmured to himself. "And I'm going to give her the wedding of her dreams."
Adrian dove into planning a grand wedding, sparing no expense. He wanted it to be perfect—a celebration that reflected their love and resilience. Grace, ever the modest soul, tried to convince him to keep it small and intimate, but Adrian wouldn't hear of it.
"This isn't just about us," he told her one evening as they walked hand in hand through the garden of their estate. "It's about showing the world what love, trust, and perseverance can achieve. You believed in me when I had nothing, and now, I want everyone to see how much you mean to me."
Grace smiled, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Adrian, you've already given me so much. I don't need anything grand to know how much you love me."
"And yet, I want to give you more," Adrian said, kissing her hand.
Unbeknownst to Adrian and Grace, his ex-girlfriend, Vanessa, had caught wind of his recent success—and his wedding plans. Vanessa was a striking woman with a penchant for drama and a deep-seated grudge. She had left Adrian years ago when his life was in shambles, dismissing him as a failure unworthy of her time.
Now, seeing Adrian rise to the top and planning a life with someone else, Vanessa's jealousy consumed her.
"How dare he move on without me?" she fumed to her friend, sipping champagne in her luxurious penthouse. "I made him who he is today! If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have survived those years."
Her friend hesitated. "Vanessa, you left him when he was struggling. Do you really think you have a claim on him now?"
Vanessa's eyes flashed with determination. "I don't care. Adrian was mine first, and I'm not letting some nobody steal him away."
She began hatching a plan to ruin the wedding, determined to make Adrian regret ever letting her go.
Adrian's days were filled with wedding preparations, business dealings, and stolen moments with Grace. He had no idea that Vanessa was plotting to upend his happiness. She started by spreading rumors among the elite families, trying to tarnish Grace's reputation.
"She's just using Adrian for his money," Vanessa whispered at a social gathering. "She was nothing before him, a nobody."
But Vanessa underestimated Grace's strength and the loyalty Adrian inspired in those who knew him. Grace, though hurt by the whispers, refused to let them derail their plans.
"Let her talk," Grace said to Adrian when he confronted her about the rumors. "We know the truth, and that's all that matters."
Adrian, however, wasn't as forgiving. "She has no right to say those things about you," he growled. "I won't let her ruin this for us."
The day of the wedding arrived, and the venue was a breathtaking blend of elegance and intimacy. Elite families, business tycoons, and close friends gathered to celebrate Adrian and Grace's union.
Vanessa, dressed to the nines and uninvited, made her entrance, determined to cause a scene. She approached Adrian as he waited at the altar, a sly smile on her face.
"You really think she's the one for you?" Vanessa said, her voice dripping with disdain. "You're making a mistake, Adrian. I'm the one who truly understands you."