3: NEXT TARGET LOCKED.

ADRIAN'S POV

Three days ago.

My assistant, Marcus, stood in front of my desk with a folder in his hands.

"Sir, the investigation report of Nicole Marchetti just came in.”

After witnessing the humiliation of Nicole Marchetti at my niece's engagement, I decided to investigate the case myself.

So I got some professionals to do it. They were my most trusted private investigator agency.

I stopped typing. "What did they find?”

He opened the folder.

"Elliot Vane and Nicole Marchetti were in a relationship for six years, way before she became the CEO. According to the report, Nicole helped him build his law firm with her money. She introduced him to influential clients. She made him the legal advisor of Marchetti Industries when she became CEO three years ago."

I leaned back in my chair.

"Six years."

"Yes, sir."

"And no one knew?"

"They kept it a secret. According to what she told the public defender, Elliot didn't want people to think he used her to climb the social ladder. Nicole agreed because she wanted him to be respected for his talent, not because he was her boyfriend."

I scoffed. “She's so foolish and trusting. Who made her a CEO?”

Marcus continued. "Sir, there's more."

"Go on."

“Elliot was the anonymous person who tipped the police about the money laundering case.”,

My brows shot up. "What?"

"It was traced back to his law firm. It happens that Elliot Vane started working secretly with the shadow broker right after he became the legal advisor of Marchetti Industries. He promised to find dirt on them and deliver Marchetti Industries to him.”

I leaned back into my chair. “And somehow the criminal activities in Marchetti Industries started exactly three years ago after he became her legal advisor.” I smiled at the realization. “How convenient.”

“It was probably easy for him to fabricate evidence and make her sign documents without reading them.” Marcus added.

I nodded. “He was her boyfriend and legal advisor, of course, she trusted him blindly, and now she was sentenced to prison for something she didn't do.”

I should have known.

I had looked for dirt on Marchetti Industries when I needed an advantage over them for a project. But I found nothing. Her father and grandfather kept a pretty clean and honest reputation.

And Nicole Marchetti, I felt it was stupid of her father to hand over such a huge responsibility to a 23 years old lady.

I studied her from a distance and watched her take over the responsibilities with grace and determination. I admired her intelligence and strength against all odds. She strived when everyone hoped for her to fail.

I had to admit, she blew my mind off with her success rate within three years until the scandal happened.

I should have known she wouldn't risk her family's legacy like that. I should have known she was innocent.

She only loved and trusted the wrong person. Love is always the weakness of every strong person.

Marcus' voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"Sir, what if Ashford Holdings is his next target?” he asked hesitantly.

"What?" I looked up.

Marcus stepped closer. “He secretly works for The Shadow Broker. He dated Nicole Marchetti and used the access to destroy her. Now he's engaged to Miss Vivienne. What if his next target is Ashford Holdings? What if he's trying to marry into your family to gain access?"

The realization hit me like a bullet.

Vivienne. Elliot was going to use my niece against me.

I needed to stop him and get rid of him first. But I couldn't attack him blindly, I needed someone with a strong motivation to ruin him.

Nicole Marchetti. She already hates him for betraying her. Once she finds out the truth behind her company's downfall, she'll be out for his blood.

“Sir, what do you plan to do?” Marcus asked.

I looked up. “Send someone to bail Nicole out and have her see me immediately.”

**************

PRESENT.

"What are you talking about?” She sprung up from the couch in the living room. “You approved it, and you threw us an engagement party. Why are you saying this all of a sudden?”

I remained calm on my seat. "I changed my mind. I don't think he's good enough for you.”

“Are you serious right now?” she shook her head in denial. “Uncle, you can't just…”

"I can. And you have to do as I say.” I tried not to raise my voice at her. “Call off the engagement and break up with him as soon as possible.”

She stepped toward me, her hands trembling.

"Uncle, please, what's going on? Why are you suddenly against this?"

I looked at the beautiful, young, and innocent woman I raised on my own.

I promised my brother to protect her and make sure she had all the best things in the world.

She grew up beautifully with a great spark, loved and admired by all. It's a shame that she fell in love with someone like Elliot.

She was so excited to be with him, and he was all she could talk about since they started their relationship, but I wasn't going to let Elliot break her innocent heart and make her lose her spark.

I'd rather make her hate me now.

I stood up and walked towards her. "I have my reasons, Vivi. Trust me, you know I always want the best for you.”

She shook her head and stepped back. “If you are worried about him marrying me for our family wealth, then you have the wrong person. Elliot is a good and hardworking man, you know that.” Her voice cracked. "He built himself from scratch! He never used me! He never asked me for money! He loves me as a person, not for my family or status.”

I almost laughed.

He wasn't asking her for money because he was using another woman's money.

"Vivienne, you don't know him."

"I know him better than you do!" Her voice rose. "He's everything I've ever wanted, and I'm happy with him. Why are you trying to take that away from me!"

"I'm trying to protect you."

"I don't need protection! I need you to trust my decisions, too!"

I crossed my arms. "I trust your decisions, but I don't trust him.”

"You trust no one!" She screamed. "You've been cold and distant your whole life! You've never let anyone in! You've never loved anyone! You don't know what it's like to feel something for someone!"

I felt the words hit me.

But she was wrong. I knew exactly what it's like to love someone and lose them. It's not always about a romantic relationship. That's the most overrated kind of love.

I lost my big brother, my partner, and my best friend; the only person who ever understood me.

Vivienne is the only one I have left, and I'm not losing her either.

"I'm not having this conversation," I said. "The engagement is off. That's final."

Vivienne's eyes filled with tears. "No. I can't call it off.”

"Vivienne…"

"No!" She grabbed a table knife from the tray beside her. "If you don't let me marry him, I'll kill myself!"

I looked at her trembling hands as she held the knife against her wrist.

I rubbed my temple and sighed. “Really?”

"You don't think I'll do it?" Her eyes blazed.

"Do it if you can." I stepped toward her. “You can barely stand the sight of a needle, and you cry at the smallest pain.”

Her hand trembled. "You don't know me."

"I raised you. I know you better than anyone."

She pressed the knife to her wrist. "Let me marry him.”

"No."

She pressed harder. “I'll do it.”

"Go ahead.” I narrowed my eyes at her, hoping she wouldn't be able to do it. But I was ready to kick the knife away from her hand if she went too far.

"I hate you." She threw the knife away, and it clattered to the floor.

She fell to her knees, sobbing.

"I'll run away with him," she whispered. "I'll cut ties with you. I'll marry him and move in with him and never speak to you again."

I scoffed. "Why don't you ask Elliot if he's ready to run away with you.”

She looked up. "What?"

" Ask him if he's willing to give up everything to be with you."

She blinked. "He loves me, and he'll do anything for me. I know that.”

I crouched down to her level. "You want to cut ties with me because of him? Fine. But if you do, you won't step out of this house with a single piece of clothing. I'll freeze all your accounts. Cancel your credit cards. You'll have nothing."

Her face went pale. "You wouldn't."

"Try me.”

She started to shake. "You can't do this to me."

"I can, and I will." I stood up. "And then we'll see how long Elliot stays with you when you have nothing to offer him. When you're not an Ashford and just Vivienne."

She stood up too and screamed at me. “Why are you so mean?”

I wiped her tears with my thumb and kissed her forehead. “I love you, too.”

I walked out of the mansion.

Marcus was waiting for me in my office that morning.

"Sir, Nicole Marchetti has regained consciousness." He placed a cup of coffee on my desk.

"Is she well?"

"She's fine. The doctors say she can get discharged today.”

I took a sip. "Good. Send her the hospital bill.”

"Sir?" He blinked. “You saved her and already paid the bill. She can't afford to pay you back in her current condition.”

“Why not?” I raised my brow. “She's a strong and independent woman who doesn't need anyone's help. She'll find a way around it.”

A smirk crept up on my face because I knew she wouldn't last. She'll realise soon enough that I'm the only one who can help her.