CHAPTER 6

Adrian's POV

I sat behind my desk, my eyes darting to the clock almost every second waiting impatiently for Lucas to check in again. He was late. Too late.

Then the phone rang.

I snatched it up without checking the ID, expecting to hear Lucas’ voice at the other end.

“Yes?”

A pause, and then a familiar, soft voice layered with disappointment filtered through the speaker

“Adrian, you’ve decided not to pick up my calls anymore?" My Dad asked, his voice laced with disappointment

Guilt hit me like a delayed punch

“No Daddy, I've been busy with…”

“Work,” he added, his tone edged with frustration. “Work, work, always work. When are you going to focus on yourself, get married, and give me a grandchild? You know I'm not getting any younger. You are my only son. I don't even know....he paused his voice shaking

“Daddy,” I said quickly before leaning back into the chair. “Don't talk about that. You know everything I do is for us.”

“I know, Adrian, but I'm just saying you never really know what is going to happen next. You are always chasing and fighting for things that don't really matter in the end. What's the point of building a whole empire if there is no one to pass it on to?”

I swallowed hard, trying not to reveal how uncomfortable I was having that conversation

“Daddy, I'm working on it”.

“Okay, then stop shying away from my calls”.

“Okay, Dad. I will…”

Then, the door burst open with a loud bang, startling me before I could finish my sentence.

“Dad, I have to go. A business partner just walked in.” I said quickly, already shifting in my chair

He paused, and then he let out a quiet sigh. “Alright, but don't forget what I told you”.

“Sure, Dad, I won't. Talk soon.”

I ended the call and dropped the phone onto my desk, letting out a tired breath.

I looked up at Lucas, narrowing my eyes.

“What kept you so long”.

“I got held up,” he answered, running his hands through his hair

“You were supposed to check in about an hour ago”

“Yes, but she left the hotel right after the letter was delivered, and I had to follow.”

“Did you catch where she went off to?” I asked before leaning back into my chair

“Of course, I did. She went off to meet Selen.”

“Alright, perfect. Then I guess she knows the truth now.”

“She does. Selen told her everything about the painting. She just didn't take it well.”

“She's not supposed to.” I muttered, "It's a hard thing to realise that the person you loved and trusted the most built their kingdom on your light.”

Lucas leaned forward slightly “But that's not the real headline. On my way back, I passed by the gallery downtown, and I saw Martin's car parked outside—just as I guessed, he’s trying to secure another contract using Bella's painting… again.”

“With who?”

“The Orion Group.”

I sat upright, my fingers tightening around the armrest. “Bella's painting,” I scorned. “So this guy never learns.”

Lucas nodded. “I suppose. He presented some of her old paintings to the Orion Group as part of his “art-based legacy” pitch a few days ago, and they're seriously considering giving him the contract. They even said that painting was the best submission they've received so far.”

I let out a humourless laugh “I see…Martin has no shame huhh…”

“You know how much the Orion Group values truth and exclusivity. If they find out the painting was stolen and forged, it'll ruin his chance of landing that contract.”

I nodded slowly. “Exactly, this is just the leverage we need to get him down.”

“We have to use this to our advantage.”

“Absolutely, and we won't just use it. We’ll weaponize it.” I said, rising to my feet. “I will hit Martin, where it hurts the most– his precious reputation. Just like they did to us.” I added

As the words escaped my lips, memories of what happened years back came flooding back into my memory—memories I've tried so hard to bury.

I walked to the drawer on the other side of my office and pulled out a worn brown envelope

“I have been keeping these, waiting patiently for the day Martin was going to try something this low. And I guess the day is finally here. These are photographs of Bella, showing how she worked on most of her paintings. I hope whichever one he submitted will be here. I made sure to get pictures of every single painting she's ever worked on.”

I returned to my seat and handed the envelope to Lucas.

“But how did you get these?” Lucas asked while flipping through the pages.

“They're forged, actually,” I admitted without remorse. “But that doesn't. I put in the work to make them look real, and now, it's my word against Martin's. Soon, I’ll have more evidence than this to prove when Bella finally decides to work with me.”

I leaned forward and turned the laptop towards Lucas. “Draft a professional notice to the Orion Group's acquisition team, with these photos attached. Make sure to CC their legal division as well.”

“Are you sure we shouldn't give them a call first?”

“No, I believe when they see this, they are going to contact us.

“What if they don't?”

“If they don't…I am going to involve the media, and I will do everything possible to make sure I destroy everything he has built and everything the Orion Group has too.”

Lucas nodded and got to work. He knew better than to challenge anything I said, especially when it came to the Lancaster family.

“Gosh…I'm late.” I screamed as I glanced at my watch. “There was a meeting I had to get to,” I added. I barely had time to grab my phone before bolting out the door.

“Make sure you finish what you’re doing before I get back”. I called over my shoulder

I heard Lucas murmur something, but I barely had time to register it before shutting the door behind me.