Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN IN THE RED DRESS
Three weeks later, Adrien hosted the Blackwood Foundation Gala.
Claire had expected a formal event.
She had not expected five hundred guests, television cameras, billionaires, politicians, and women wearing enough diamonds to finance small businesses.
She stood near Adrien.
“You didn't tell me this would be this crowded.”
“I thought you'd leave if I did.”
“I might have.”
He looked at her.
“I'm glad you didn't.”
Claire's heart fluttered.
Then a woman approached.
Victoria Vale.
She was elegant, beautiful, and dangerous.
Adrien's former fiancée.
Claire had heard the name.
Everyone had.
Victoria smiled.
“Adrien.”
He stiffened.
“Victoria.”
Her eyes moved toward Claire.
“And who is this?”
“My operations coordinator.”
Victoria smiled politely.
“How charming.”
Claire immediately recognized the insult.
Before she could answer, Victoria stepped closer to Adrien.
“You look tired.”
“I am.”
“I know how you like to relax.”
Claire looked away.
She didn't know why the comment bothered her.
But it did.
Later that evening, she found Adrien on a balcony.
“You okay?”
He nodded.
“You seem upset.”
“I am.”
“Because of Victoria?”
He looked at her.
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because you believed her.”
“I didn't.”
“You left the room.”
Claire folded her arms.
“I didn't want to stand there while your ex-fiancée flirted with you.”
Adrien stepped closer.
“Why?”
She froze.
“Why what?”
“Why did it bother you?”
“I don't know.”
He was close enough now that she could feel his breath.
“Claire.”
She looked up.
“Don't.”
“Don't what?”
“Make this harder.”
His voice softened.
“I don't want easy.”
Neither moved.
Then the doors behind them opened.
Julian appeared.
“Adrien.”
The moment shattered.
Adrien stepped away.
“What?”
“We have a problem.”
Julian handed him a phone.
“Someone accessed the company servers.”
Adrien's face hardened.
“When?”
“Twenty minutes ago.”
“From where?”
Julian looked toward Claire.
“Her workstation.”
Claire went pale.
“What?”
Julian held up the screen.
“Your credentials were used.”
Claire shook her head.
“I didn't do that.”
Adrien looked at her.
“I know.”
Julian frowned.
“You don't know that.”
“I do.”
Claire's eyes met Adrien's.
For the first time, she realized how deeply he trusted her.
Then security alarms sounded.
Guests screamed.
Someone had entered the building through the service entrance.
Adrien immediately pulled Claire behind him.
“Stay here.”
“What is happening?”
“Someone is trying to access the vault.”
“What vault?”
He didn't answer.
Security rushed through the hallway.
Adrien grabbed Claire's hand.
“Come with me.”
They ran.
Claire's heels slipped.
Adrien caught her.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
They reached a private elevator.
The doors closed.
Claire stared at him.
“You have a vault?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because some secrets are worth protecting.”
The elevator descended.
Claire looked at him.
“Adrien.”
“Yes?”
“Who are you?”
He met her eyes.
And for the first time, she saw the man behind the billionaire.
Cold.
Controlled.
May you like
Dangerous.
“I've been trying to protect you from that answer.”
