Chapter 9: Quiet Storm

Adrian’s POV

I had just entered my room when a knock came at the door.

Then came the voice of the butler.

“Master Adrian, your father would like to see you in the study.”

I sighed deeply and stepped back out and down into the hallway. The polished floors reflected everything, but there was nothing I cared to see.

As I reached the study, I paused—not from fear, just exhaustion, conversations with him never ended well.

I knocked once.

“Come in,” his voice rang out firmly.

He didn’t look up right away. His eyes were fixed on a document, his pen moving as if solving something more important than the person standing. The silence stayed for a while before he spoke.

“Sit.”

I obeyed.

“Elena’s parents…haven’t actually called off the engagement,” he said, finally meeting my eyes with a steady tone.

My jaw tightened as I gazed at him.

“So the dinner was an act.”

“Everything is,” he replied coldly. “Learn that.”

“I don’t want this,” I muttered.

“This isn’t about what you want,” he snapped. “Our families agreed to this before you could even walk. The Beaumont name holds weight, you’ll carry it, whether you like it or not.”

I looked at him, wondering if the man sitting across was really my father.

“Do they know this is just a business deal for you? Not about family or love?”

His hand froze on the paper, and for a second, he clenched his teeth before answering,

“This is legacy Adrian! Now act like it!.”

I didn’t reply. I stood and walked out without another word as my footsteps echoed down the hall.

We had never liked each other. Not even as kids. Even though our families were close, I always avoided her, and she did the same. She was cold in her own way and it has always been like that—mutual dislike.

Two weeks ago, my parents and hers had arranged an official dinner—something I didn’t want either.  I waited thirty minutes before her assistant finally called to say she wouldn’t be coming. Later, I found out that  she’d gotten into an accident when she went out with Zane.

But tonight at the restaurant... something was kind of off, the thought came suddenly .

When she looked at me—just for a second—her eyes weren’t cold. They weren’t disgusted or dismissive like before, they looked... curious. 

That wasn’t Elena.

Maybe the accident changed her.

Not that I cared.

I just noticed. 

And who knows if she is just using memory loss to cover up for what happened in school six weeks ago.

***

Monday morning came too quickly and the estate was still, as always.

As I stepped downstairs, I found my mother already in the foyer. I kissed her forehead softly. “Morning, Mom.”

She was the only reason I hadn’t lost it at home, and sometimes, I wished I could feel even a fraction of that from my father—just enough to believe he cared.

“Breakfast is ready, Adrian,” she called gently as I made for the door.

“I’m okay, Mom.”

One staff member handed me my bag, another opened the door and the driver stood by as I stepped in.

The car pulled up to the private entrance. I stepped out in my tailored uniform, with a polished shoe and silver pin gleaming on the edge of my blazer. I didn’t care to look around—I was already used to the stares.

My grandfather built Westbridge Academy himself—funded it, designed it, even wrote the guiding principles that still shaped it today, so obviously, I was the center of attention.

Lucien and Kade arrived seconds later, and we entered together.

***

At lunch, I slid into my usual seat in our private dining room  and resting area. 

Lucien and Kade joined few minutes later. 

Then the butler arrived, quietly setting down our plates.

We had just finished eating when Lucy walked in.

“Hey,” came Kade and Lucien’s voices in unison.

She smiled, gave a small wave, and made her way to my side.

Kade leaned back lazily in his chair. “Any more classes today?”

Lucien reached for his glass. “Business at 2 p.m.”

Kade stretched, already getting up. “Let’s go.”

The two of them slipped out, leaving just Lucy and me.

She sat beside me and held out a necklace.

“Can you help me fix this?”

I sighed tiredly.

I took the chain from her and she leaned in—closer as I felt her breath on  my neck and her hands gently on my thigh.

“I worked out the whole break last month, take a good look, did my work pay off?” She said, grabbing my thigh more firmly. 

“I don’t even need to look” I whispered coldly

“You got a killer body, models would die for, so stop messing around, Lucy” I said, pulling her hands off me gently. 

“I wasn't though” she scoffed. “You don’t have to be so cold all the time.”

She grabbed her bag, standing quickly.

“Where are you going?”

“I have plans,” she snapped and walked toward the door.

I smirked slightly, reaching for my phone.

***

As I stepped out of the private dining hall, my phone beeped.

I checked.

A message from the team group chat.

“Everyone welcome Zane Carter. He’s joining us starting this week.”

I frowned a little.

Zane?

I looked up—and there he was.

Standing across the hallway fist-bumping two of my teammates like he belonged, and a thought passed through me.

She used to look at him like he was her favorite distraction.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and walked past him without a word.

This should be interesting.