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Next time
Chapter 43
The hall was frozen in stunned silence.
Moments ago, Liam Wharton had strutted across the room, basking in admiration and privilege. Now, he stood pale and trembling his grand announcement shattered in front of hundreds of witnesses.
Whispers broke the silence, soft at first, then spreading like a tide.
“Did you see that? He just made one call and the Coles canceled everything.”
“Wait- wasn’t there a rumor that Miss Reyes had a mysterious partner she’s seen?”
“You think it’s him?”
“It must be. No one else could have that authority.”
Suddenly, the same people who had laughed at Adrian minutes ago now looked at him with quiet reverence, their faces shifting from mockery to awe.
Some even offered tentative smiles, the kind reserved for those who suddenly realized they had insulted the wrong man.
Catherine could feel the change in the air – fear and fascination mingled like perfume and smoke. For a brief moment, she almost pitied Liam. Almost.
Liam stumbled forward, his voice cracking as he tried to regain control.
“This… this must be a coincidence!” he barked, his tone desperate. “Don’t let him fool you! He’s a scammer!” The words sounded absurd, but desperation made men reach for anything.
Lucas, face still red from earlier humiliation, stepped in beside him. “He’s right!” he shouted, pointing an accusing finger. “This man’s a fraud. He’s been using women like Catherine to climb the social ladder. You all think he’s powerful? He’s nothing but a parasite!”
The crowd began murmuring again, not because they believed him – but because they
mell panic.
Liam’s voice rose into a shout. “Guards! Seize him! I’ll handle this myself!”
The hotel security guards, uncertain but bound by instruction, moved in quickly. Their heavy boots echoed across the polished marble floor as they advanced.
Catherine took a step forward, about to speak – but Adrian’s calm voice stopped her.
“Stay behind me.”
He didn’t move until the first guard reached him.
Then everything happened too fast for anyone to follow.
–
One sidestep a flick of his wrist – a thud. The first guard hit the floor.
Another lunged; Adrian turned, elbow striking his chest, sending him sprawling backward.
A third guard barely raised his baton before Adrian twisted it from his grip and tapped him lightly on the shoulder – yet the man crumpled as though struck by lightning.
Three seconds. Three moves. Three bodies on the ground.
1/3
Mavat live un
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Gasps rippled through the ballroom. Someone whispered, That wasn’t normal…” Another m trained… that’s precision.”
d, “He’s
Adrian stood still amid the fallen guards, expression unreadable. His breathing was steady–like nothing had happened.
Catherine couldn’t look away. She had always known Adrian was composed, quiet, and intelligent – but this… this was something else entirely.
That calm control, the effortless way he moved it wasn’t arrogance. It was power in its purest form.
Liam took an involuntary step backward. His mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Adrian turned his gaze toward Lucas, who froze in place like prey caught in a hunter’s stare. Without raising his voice, Adrian walked up to him, seized his collar, and leaned close.
No one heard what he said – just a whisper, low and sharp. But whatever the words were, Lucas’s face drained of color instantly. His legs buckled. His eyes darted away, filled with something dangerously close to fear.
Sophia, standing nearby, trembled and fumbled with her phone. “I’ll… I’ll record this! Everyone will see what kind of man you really are!”
Before she could hit record, Catherine stepped forward, grabbed the phone from her hand, and hurled it to the floor. It shattered into pieces.
“Enough,” Catherine said, her voice cutting through the noise. “I’ve tolerated your nonsense long enough.”
Her tone carried the authority of someone born to lead. Every head turned toward her as she took out her own phone and made a single call.
“This is Catherine Morritis,” she said crisply. “Send security to the main ballroom. Detain Lucas Brown, Margaret Grahams, and Sophia Grahams for defamation and public disturbance.”
There was no hesitation on the other end
–
only a firm “Yes, ma’am.”
Sophia gasped. “You can’t do that! This is assault!”
Catherine’s eyes were cold. “You should’ve thought of that before you spread lies in pub‘
Hotel security the real security – arrived within minutes. They moved with quiet professionalism, escorting the three out despite their protests.
Whispers followed in their wake:
“Serves them right.”
“They picked the wrong people to mess with.”
“Imagine trying to humiliate him in public. Idiots.”
Liam stood frozen where he was, watching everything crumble around him. The investors who had congratulated him earlier were now turning away, whispering excuses, pretending they didn’t know him.
His throat went dry. Everything – his pride, his deal, his reputation – had fallen apart in a single evening.
Adrian finally turned to him, gaze cool and detached.
Liam flinched when their eyes met. For a moment, he saw something unfathomable in those calm, steady irises something ancient, dangerous, and utterly beyond his reach.
Adrian’s voice was quiet, almost gentle.
Next time
“Next time,” he said, “learn when to stop talking.”
D
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
