“Cut the nonsense, Uncle Lucas. I know everything, ” Adrian snapped.
Lucas remained calm, like Adrian’s anger amused him.
“Oh?” he said lazily. “Then if you know about the document, you wouldn't be here arguing with me. You would be out there looking for a wife.”
Adrian frowned. “A wife?”
Lucas chuckled.
“So you don’t know everything then.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened. “Speak clearly.”
Lucas folded his arms, looking pleased with himself.
“If you want to remain director of West Insurance and inherit your father’s properties, then you need to get married.”
Adrian stared at him. “And if I don’t?”
Lucas smiled.
“Then you can kiss your title goodbye. And you can forget about becoming CEO.”
Rage surged through Adrian.
“No. That’s not happening.”
His voice turned dangerously cold.
“I don’t know what lies you told my father to make him sign that document, but this company is my family’s legacy. I won’t let you ruin it.”
Lucas laughed softly.
“Calm down, Adrian. It’s just a small requirement.”
Employees passing by had begun slowing down, pretending not to stare.
The tension between them was impossible to ignore.
Lucas noticed the attention and smirked.
“Is there something to worry about, Adrian?”
Adrian said nothing.
Lucas’s smile widened.
“You see, I’ve always known you weren’t fit to lead this company.”
He stepped closer.
“If you can’t even keep a woman, how do you intend to lead an empire?”
Adrian’s fists clenched.
Lucas turned to leave.
“I think we’re done here.”
“I have a woman.” Adrian said out loud.
Lucas stopped. He turned back slowly.
A mocking smile playing on his lips. “No, you don’t.”
Adrian held his gaze. The confidence in his expression made Lucas’s smile fade.
“Prove it.”
Adrian looked past him. “Behind you.”
Lucas frowned. “What?”
He turned.
At that exact moment, Lopez was walking toward the exit. She wasn’t walking toward them, but from where they stood, it looked perfect.
Lucas’s eyes narrowed.
Adrian smiled.
Lopez noticed them looking at her. “What are they looking at?” she muttered, looking behind her.
Nothing.
She looked back at them, then recognition hit.
Wait… Suit man?
Her eyes widened.
“Why is he smiling like that?”
Before she could think further, Adrian closed the distance between them.
“Hey, love.”
Lopez froze.
Love? Who? She looked around but no one was there.
Then Adrian pulled her into his arms. Her entire body stiffened. The move happened so fast she didn’t even have time to react.
But then something unexpected happened. She relaxed. The warmth of his embrace washed over her like a strange comfort.
After the horrible day she had, the hug felt… safe. Way safe.
She caught her breath.
This feels too good to be real. For a moment, she forgot everything. Then Adrian pulled away.
Lopez felt an odd disappointment.
Adrian turned to Lucas.
“Meet my woman.”
Lopez’s eyes widened so much they almost hurt. What is happening?
“What are you doing?” she whispered under her breath.
Lucas recovered quickly.
“Well, well, well.”
His gaze swept over Lopez.
“So the great Adrian finally found a woman.”
Adrian’s expression remained cold.
“I told you. Believe it or not, I have a woman in my life.”
Lucas smirked. “Impressive.”
Then his expression darkened again. “But this changes nothing.”
Adrian frowned. “What do you mean?”
Lucas gave a dry laugh.
“You really think simply having a woman solves everything?”
Adrian’s expression hardened, but Lucas still continued.
“I’ve sent a copy of the document to your office.”
He smiled coldly. “Read it carefully. Then we’ll see if you can survive what comes next.”
With that, Lucas walked away.
Lopez waited for Adrian to explain. Surely he would say something. Anything.
Instead, Adrian looked completely distracted. His mind and attention was already on the document.
Lopez frowned.
“Aren’t you going to explain what just happened?”
She didn't get any response from him.
Adrian turned and walked away just like that. Lopez's eyes followed him, completely stunned.
“Oh.”
She folded her arms. “I guess weird people live here.”
She shook her head and continued walking. “But seriously… who are these people?”
After walking for a while, confusion hit her. She stopped.
“Wait…This isn’t the way out.”
She looked around. Her eyes widened. “Where am I?”
Everything looked the same.
“This place is too big.” She sighed.
“Why does every exit look exactly the same?”
She turned in circles. “Great. Just great.”
Adrian stormed back into his office. His mind was consumed by one thing.The document.
He walked straight to his desk and grabbed the file Lucas had sent. His jaw tightened as he opened it. The more he read, the darker his expression became.
“What?!”
His voice thundered through the office.
His assistant flinched.
The document contained strict conditions.
To inherit his father’s company and properties, Adrian had to:
Get married within one month.
Remain legally married for one full year.
Live with his wife without complications.
Failure to do so meant losing everything.
Not just the company but everything, All of his supposed inheritance.
“This is insane.”
Adrian slammed the document shut. His breathing was sharp with anger. Lucas had planned this perfectly. Marriage was the one thing Adrian had sworn never to do.
His assistant finally spoke carefully. “How can I help, sir?”
Adrian went silent for a moment.
Then he looked up.
“Did you see the woman I was with earlier?”
His assistant nodded.
“The one I hugged?”
“Yes, sir.”
Adrian’s expression turned serious.
“Good.”
His voice became firm.
“Find her.”