Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 63: Chapter 63

Elara was confused at his words. She wondered, 'Scheme? What scheme?' She thought for a moment but couldn't figure it out.
She thought, 'Is this about the scheme to win Adrian over? But this plan isn't exactly a secret. Haven't I been openly flirting with Adrian all this time? As if Adrian doesn't know that already.
'Or is he referring to the fact that I need his help with Dylan's case? It's not exactly a secret, either.'
Elara turned to Adrian and asked directly, "What scheme?"
Adrian didn't want to waste time on her. He said coldly, "Ms. Langton, maybe your time is worthless, but mine is valuable. So stop harassing me. And stay out of my sight. You're an eyesore."
Elara's patience was wearing thin, but she reminded herself that to coax someone properly, she needed the right attitude and patience. Forcing a smile, she suggested, "How about I find you a therapist tomorrow?"
Adrian ignored her.
Elara continued, "You need to take good care of that shoulder, no slacking off. And from now on, maybe lay off those sports that need a lot of arm and shoulder strength, okay? And..."
Before Elara could finish, Adrian grabbed her by both arms and, without hesitation, hoisted her halfway off the ground before tossing her out of the locker room. The door slammed shut behind her, leaving her to stumble in the hallway.
Elara knocked on the door from outside and pleaded, "Adrian, open up! Come on, just give me one more chance, one last chance, okay?
"Adrian, I swear I'll never mess things up with drinking again. From now on, I'll focus on work, focus on you, and serve you diligently. How about I make you steak tonight? I'll cook it just the way you like, okay?"
Adrian stayed silent.
Elara grew tired of coaxing and leaned against the door with a sigh. She thought, 'Seriously, this man is impossible to please.'
Suddenly, a voice called out, "Elara."
Elara looked up to see Zoe standing before her.
Zoe had changed into fresh clothes. She asked, "Is Mr. Hartley still refusing to see you?"
Elara ignored Zoe but stayed put. She figured that if she waited by the door, Adrian would have to come out eventually.
Zoe said, "Elara, I know you're desperate to stay by Mr. Hartley's side. Frankly, every woman in Veritasiton would kill for that chance. But let's be real: as the heir of the Hartley family, he's way out of your league.
"This shameless persistence of yours is just disrupting his life. Do you think someone like him would ever look twice at you?"
Elara scoffed, "Oh, so you think he would fancy you?"
Zoe shook her head and said, "As his assistant, I'm just doing my job. Elara, you're beautiful. You'd be better off with someone in your league. Some people like Justin. He'd be a great match."
Elara scoffed, "Honestly, you'd be a perfect match for some street trash. Why don't you give that a try?"
Elara didn't mean to belittle Justin, she just wanted to tear Zoe apart with her words.
Zoe said condescendingly, "Elara, I'm a few years older than you, so let me give you some advice as your senior. Just because you're young and pretty doesn't mean you should throw yourself at Mr. Hartley, trying to climb the social ladder.
"He's not that superficial. Your little tricks won't work on him."
Elara sneered, "Oh? That's not what Adrian said to me in bed last night." With that parting shot, Elara turned to leave, only for Zoe to step in and block her path.
Elara crossed her arms, irritation bubbling inside. She snapped, "What the hell are you blocking my way for? Are you some kind of ghost? Do you have to haunt me like this?"
Zoe said, "Elara, is there some misunderstanding between us that makes you always seem so hostile toward me? I'm just the blunt, straightforward type. Don't take it personally."
Elara replied, "No misunderstanding. I just really can't stand you. What? Do you think you are a Hollywood actor off the stage? You're just that fake."
Elara brushed past Zoe without a second glance and headed straight for the changing room she shared with Ruby.
Ruby had already changed and was sitting on the sofa chair, touching up her makeup, when Elara walked in. She announced, "Victor's treating us to a fancy dinner tonight at the Crystal Hotel across the street. It's six-star!"
"Not going," Elara scowled, pulling off her top.
Ruby grinned and said, "Adrian's going too. You in?"
"I'm in," Elara said.
Ruby smirked smugly and said, "I knew it."
The Crystal Hotel was just across the street. They took the underground passage and arrived right at the main entrance.
Victor led Elara and Ruby inside.
The top-floor panoramic suite was lavishly decorated. In addition to the dining table and chairs, a curved sofa faced the floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a stunning view of the night skyline.
Ruby sat on a chaise lounge with her back to the city lights, taking selfies, while Victor sat nearby, fielding a few work calls.
Fifteen minutes later, Adrian finally made his entrance, with Zoe and Justin in tow.
Adrian, now dressed in a sharp designer suit, strolled in with an air of nonchalance and deliberately took the seat farthest from Elara.
He reclined against the sofa, his tall frame relaxed and legs crossed with practiced grace, exuding an effortless aristocratic elegance that seemed second nature.
Zoe felt her heart flutter, but she only dared to sit far away on the other sofa.
Elara's eyes lit up when she spotted Adrian. Without hesitation, she strode over and settled beside him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Seeing the unlit cigarette between his fingers, she naturally picked up the lighter from the table and lit it for him. She lifted her hand to light the cigarette, but Adrian ignored her gesture.
With deliberate slowness, Adrian pinched the cigarette flat bit by bit, then he tossed it into the trash with a provoking flick.
Elara's forced smile froze in place. With no other choice, she awkwardly tucked the lighter away.
The dishes began arriving one by one. Without so much as a glance at Elara, Adrian rose and headed straight for the dining table.
As the group took their seats at the table, Victor naturally positioned himself next to Adrian.
The seat on Adrian's other side remained empty, and Elara was just about to slip into it. But Zoe beat her to it, slipping into the seat before Elara could.
From his seat across the room, Justin took a sip of water, thinking, 'Now the real show begins.'
Seeing this, Ruby quickly played along. She scooted over to a seat and teased Victor, "Victor, why are you always sticking so close to Adrian? Give him some space, will you?"
Victor reluctantly scooted over, clearing the seat beside Adrian for Elara. He said, "Elara, sit by Adrian."
Elara silently thanked Ruby. She slid into the seat to Adrian's left, flashing him her most ingratiating smile. She offered, "Mr. Hartley, since your shoulder's bothering you, I'll serve you some food later."
She paused, then quickly added, "With the serving fork, of course."
Victor's jaw dropped. He thought, 'What kind of dirt does Adrian have on Elara that she caters to his every whim like this?' Seeing Adrian acting all high and mighty, Victor grabbed his phone and texted him: [What's the deal? Did you bag Elara?]
Adrian raised an eyebrow. He replied: [Her? Not interested.]
Noticing Adrian acting all cool, Victor shot him a look and teased: [Oh really? Weren't you the one practically tripping over yourself to walk her home last time?]
Adrian took a cigarette from the table and lit it for himself.
Noticing Adrian's action, Elara immediately grabbed an ashtray from the coffee table and placed it right by his hand. Then, almost obsessively, she wiped down the table in front of him with a tissue, again and again.
Only then did Adrian finally rest his hand on the table's edge, flicking ash into the tray with a casual tap of his fingers.
As the fish rotated toward her, Elara promptly picked up the serving fork and served Adrian.
She selected the choicest belly portion, the tenderest part, and placed it on a clean plate to remove the bones. Then, she carefully transferred the boneless piece to Adrian's plate.
Adrian never expected Elara would go to such lengths just to please him. He thought, 'If she's this attentive to me now, what lengths did she go to for Alex back then?'
The very thought of it annoyed Adrian. He left the fish untouched, but allowed Elara to keep fawning over him. He found it amusing.
Seeing Adrian stay silent, Elara let out a quiet sigh of relief. She thought, 'At least he's not hurling insults at me like before. That's progress. Susan has spent years cracking Adrian's code. All I have to do is follow the playbook.
'And thanks to Justin's little assist just now. Although Adrian is still scowling, he must have changed his tune by now.' But Elara was a little overly optimistic.
Sitting beside Adrian, Zoe, hoping to make an impression, carefully poured him a glass of red wine.
Elara quickly interjected, "Mr. Hartley has got court first thing tomorrow. No drinks tonight. Didn't you know that?"
Only then did Zoe remember. Setting down the wine glass, she murmured, "Sorry, Mr. Hartley, I forgot."
Adrian didn't seem annoyed. Instead, he responded with a gentle smile and said, "Don't worry about it. Just pour me some orange juice."
Zoe was pleasantly surprised. "Of course," she said.
Adrian accepted the orange juice from Zoe and took a sip. Without even glancing at Elara, he picked out the piece of fish Elara had served him and let it fall discarded to the edge of his plate.
Without missing a beat, he plucked a fresh piece himself and brought it to his mouth with deliberate indifference.
Elara was speechless.
Adrian put down his fork and turned to Elara. With a cold look, he said, "Ms. Langton, Victor and I have a case to discuss. Would you mind moving a little farther away, freeloader?"