Chapter Six I lost her again

“What do you think you’re doing?” Adam said through gritted teeth.

His expression remained calm as his firm hand closed around my arm, pulling me back.

I turned to face him, anger gnawing at me. His eyebrows were furrowed in annoyance, and his intimidating gaze was dark and furious. I slowly looked down at his fingers tightening around my arm.

“To get my daughter,” I snapped, my chest tightening with anger.

I wasn't thinking straight. The restraining order, the Harringtons, the consequences—none of it mattered anymore. Through my blurry vision, I saw Scarlet and the nanny leaving through the exit door, and every instinct in me screamed to go after her.

“Stop it, Ava. Get a grip on yourself,” he said quietly, his voice edged with authority. His cold gaze swept across the large hall before settling on me again.

“Have you forgotten?” he asked coldly, holding me still.

“You signed a restraining order. You can’t just walk up to them and take your daughter,” he reminded me, his expression saying it all.

Goosebumps ran through my body. He had been watching me. He knew things about me, more than I knew about him. I felt like prey being watched closely by a predator.

Oh, great. I scoffed, laughing at my own stupidity.

“Really, Mr. Cole? How much information do you have on me?”

“Listen, Ava. I did my research_

You’ve been stalking me? I cut in

For how long?” I asked repeatedly, my voice barely holding it together.

“Ever since I approached you for a business deal. I had to know who I was dealing with.”

“Liar!” I snapped, pulling against his grip. “You knew exactly who I was before you approached me.”

“You can believe whatever you want, but if you go after them, you’ll ruin everything for us,” he said, his tone detached, deflecting from my question.

I stared at him, struggling to process his words. How much did he know? Had he been watching me all this time, gathering information about my marriage, my daughter and everything the Harringtons had done to me?

“You can tell me what to do when your child has been taken away from you.”

“I’ll make a scene if you don’t let me go.” I threatened, determine to risk it all.

His grip finally loosened, I immediately pulled my arm away and stormed out.

The white Rolls-Royce was already moving when I ran outside. Through the tinted window, I caught one last glimpse of Scarlet sitting in the back seat.

My hand remained in the air long after the car disappeared.

“Scarlet!” I screamed, but the car was already too far away for anyone inside to hear me.

Maybe if Adam hadn’t tried to stop me, I might have caught up with her.

Tears streamed down my face as my heart broke all over again.

I had lost her again.

“You’ll ruin your makeup, Miss Morris,” a deep voice said behind me,

I felt him step closer to me.

I wanted to shout at him, but deep down, I knew he was right. I had signed away my parental rights to my daughter, and there was nothing I could do about it at that moment.

I turned to face him. He stood nonchalantly, his hands buried in his pockets.

“Fuck you, Adam,” I cursed, my chest heaving.

“I hate you!”

I shoved him in the chest, but not hard enough to make him stagger. I continued hitting his chest, letting out all the anger and frustration I had bottled up inside me.

Enough!" He caught both my hands.

"It's enough, Ava," he repeated, his voice dropping to a low, firm tone.

"Come here."

I tried to pull away, but the tears blurring my vision made it difficult to see him clearly. My chest ached, and I was exhausted from fighting him, from fighting the Harringtons, from everything.

His eyes softened as he pulled me closer.

For a moment, I hesitated, I should have pushed him away, but instead, I let him pull me into his arms.

I buried my face against his chest and wept. My fingers curled into his jacket as I struggled to catch my breath.

He didn't tell me to stop crying or remind me to compose myself. He simply held me, his fingers moving gently through my hair.

“I promise I’ll make sure you get her back,” he whispered, sliding his hands down my back.

Violent sobs wracked my body. I knew I had to be strong, but I hated how easily the thought of my daughter made me lose control.

I lifted my face to look at him. His eyes lingered on my lips for a few seconds before he reached into his pocket and handed me a white handkerchief.

I took it and wiped my tears.

“Let’s go. The event isn’t over yet.”

I nodded, taking in a deep breath.

I wiped my face with the handkerchief. He held me close as we walked hand in hand back into the hall.

As we stepped inside, someone called out to him.

“Adams Cole!”

We turned in unison to see a tall, chubby man in a white suit approaching us with a cheerful smile. We stopped to greet him, and to my greatest shock, I noticed the man standing beside him.

Vincent Harrington.

He straightened his tuxedo jacket, which hugged his muscular frame, while holding a glass of champagne in his other hand.

“Ava?” Vincent sputtered, looking stunned, shock and surprise battling in his expression.

I remembered a time when his sharp jawline, piercing eyes, perfectly sculpted face, and deep, masculine voice give me butterflies in my belly Now, my stomach tightened, I instinctively took a step back.

“Mr. Smith, it’s nice to meet you,” Adams greeted the man before turning to Vincent.

“Vincent Harrington, it’s my utmost pleasure to meet you.”Adams greeted

They shook hands, their handshake lingering for a moment.

“Vincent, meet my girlfriend, Ava.”

Girlfriend?"

The word echoed in my mind. I turned to look at Adam, wondering when we had become anything more than business partners.

My gaze shifted to Vincent, whose presence made the situation even more uncomfortable. I forced myself to remain composed, refusing to give either man the satisfaction of seeing how unsettled I was.

“Ava, meet Vincent, the CEO of—”

“We know each other,” Vincent cut in. His eyes slowly travelled over me, lingering at our joint hands, for a a moment before returning to my face.

My face flushed with embarrassment. I stood frozen, feeling fully exposed and alone.

“Adams, you look familiar. Do we know each other?” Vincent asked,

“No, we don’t,” Adam replied.

“He attended the Global Summit. His budding company, which is only five years old, is doing just fine,” Smith chipped in, oblivious to the brewing tension between them.

“Can we have a drink sometime? you need my advice on how to navigate the business world.”, he said, his tone sharpening, but beneath the arrogance was a hint of discomfort.

“It’s such an honour, but I’ll have to turn it down. I’m a busy man.” Adam said firmly, his eyes fixed on him.

Vincent let out a mirthless laugh, gulping down the remaining drink.

“I have to go.”

He turned to Adams before continuing,

“But before I go, Adams, I must tell you the number one business rule: as a small fry, stay focused on your lane and don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“Thanks for your kind words," Adams replied, a faint smile playing on his lips.

His jaw tightened, but he maintained eye contact with Vincent.

I glanced at him, wondering how he could remain so composed. I was feeling the heat, the discomfort crawl over my skin.

“Baby let's go”, I nudged Adams, squeezing a tight lipped smile in compliance .

“See you next time Vincent”, Adams lifted my arm, planting a light kiss on my hands, we both walked out.