Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 69: Chapter 69

Elara replied, "Don't you know I've been chasing Alex for six whole years? When he went abroad, I followed. When he joined the Hartley Group, I applied there too. I can be quite the persistent pest, you know."
Adrian teased, "So why stop pestering Alex and start bothering me instead?"
Elara smirked and retorted, "Aren't you just pretending not to know?" She tried to sidestep Adrian and leave, but he yanked her back.
In one swift move, Adrian leaned forward, pinning Elara against the vanity counter. His arms braced on either side of her, leaving no room for escape.
Elara frowned with visible irritation. She asked, "What now?"
Adrian's expression turned grave as he pressed her with a domineering tone, "Six years you chased after Alex?"
Elara replied, "Damn right."
Adrian scoffed with a scornful laugh. He sneered, "Quite persistent, aren't you?"
Elara shot Adrian a sly smile and asked, "Right? Scared yet?"
Adrian said, "Scared? There's nothing I, Adrian, can't handle. What would I be afraid of?"
Elara arched an eyebrow and asked, "So, Mr. Hartley, is that your intention? Want to play a game with me?"
Adrian challenged with a smirk, "Well, dare to play?"
Seeing that Adrian had taken the bait, Elara's eyes shimmered with provocative allure as she purred, "So, how shall we play this game?"
Adrian's eyes locked onto Elara's provocative smirk. He said, "Since you're still hung up on your ex, let's keep this no strings attached and strictly private. That works best for both of us."
Elara hadn't expected him to be so blunt. She asked, "Well then, what's in it for me?"
Adrian smirked and said, "From what I saw in that presidential suite in Landblic, you certainly enjoyed yourself. It's a mutual benefit arrangement. We both get what we want. What more do you need?"
Elara arched an eyebrow and said, "That's different. In these kinds of situations, it's always the woman who gets the short end of the stick."
Adrian thought, 'I knew it. She is still angling for some benefit for that good-for-nothing ex of hers.' His irritation flared immediately.
He scoffed, "Isn't this just about getting your ex legal representation? But I heard they're already in settlement negotiations."
Elara replied, "The settlement isn't guaranteed yet. If you want to play the game, I am in. But promise me this: if the settlement falls through, you'll help Dylan out."
Adrian let out a cryptic laugh. He said, "Fine. But our relationship ends when I say it ends. If you bail halfway, I have every right to back out. And honestly, I might just go help the Heaton family instead."
Elara smirked when she got the promise she wanted. She teased, "Oh? Aren't you afraid I'll cling to you like a persistent leech you can't shake off?"
Adrian challenged with a smirk, "Dare to try? You won't know unless you do."
Elara's lips curled into a knowing smirk. Her eyes radiated unabashed allure as she locked eyes with Adrian. She deliberately withheld her answer to keep him in suspense.
Adrian didn't rush her. He leaned in closer, until their faces were mere inches apart. He murmured, "I've got a question."
Elara replied, "Ask away."
Adrian said, "You just said you were with Alex for six years?"
Elara replied, "And?"
Adrian asked, "How many times did you sleep with him?"
Elara was surprised by his question. She teased, "What? Do you have a virginity complex?"
Adrian fixed his gaze on Elara. Seeing that her eyes showed not a trace of fear, only blatant defiance, he realized she wasn't going to be so easy to control. He asked, "What? Lost count already?"
Elara's expression remained unreadable. She was well aware that whenever Adrian wanted to dodge a question, he'd counter with another to shut her up.
She didn't mind misleading him. So she replied, "Yeah, a whole six years, who even bother keeping count of that?"
Adrian's eyes darkened with menace as he leaned in dangerously close. He said, "Let's see who you'll cling to longer, Alex, or me."
Elara smirked and said, "You won't last as long as he did."
Adrian froze. He snapped, "What do you mean by that?"
Elara replied, "Exactly what it sounds like."
No man could tolerate being spoken to like that by a woman, and so did Adrian. He said through gritted teeth, "Oh yeah? Care to put it to the test?"
He abruptly lifted Elara onto the vanity counter, his lips crashing down on hers in a sudden, demanding kiss.
Elara realized he'd misunderstood. Pulling away from his lips, she hastily explained, "I meant six years! Not that long. If I keep chasing you for another six years, I'll be twenty-eight. How many six-year stretches does a woman even have?"
Adrian paused, his brows furrowing slightly. He asked, "So what if you're twenty-eight?" Adrian himself was twenty-eight.
Elara replied, "You're a man. It's different. For men, being older doesn't matter; as long as they've got status and wealth, they're still considered a catch."
Adrian narrowed his eyes and asked, "What's that supposed to mean? You think I'm too old for you?"
Elara replied, "Well, you are not exactly a spring chicken."
No man could stand being talked to like this. Adrian bit down on her earlobe, and he snarled, "Elara, today I'll show you just how 'old' I am."
His eyes burned with irrepressible desire as he moved toward her, ready to pounce like a beast starved for its prey.
Elara pushed him away with a bit of force. Then she jumped down from the vanity and decided to keep him hanging a little longer. She said, "Personal assistant is fine, but anything beyond that is off the table. I'm heading back. See you tomorrow."
Without giving Adrian a chance to respond, she walked straight out of the bathroom.
Adrian watched her hasty retreat with a wry smile. "Chicken," he muttered.
The next morning, Elara brought fresh ingredients and headed over to Veritasiton Hills. By ten o'clock, Elara had a full brunch spread and freshly brewed coffee ready for Adrian.
Adrian had just woken up and was lounging on the sofa, shaking off sleep with a cigarette dangling lazily between his fingers.
Elara handed him a cup of hand-dripped Mandheling coffee, while an exquisitely plated brunch awaited on the table.
After brunch, Adrian retreated to his study for a video conference call.
The housekeeper arrived to clean, and Adrian's designer garments were sent out for dry cleaning. Elara's entire morning passed in a whirlwind of productivity, leaving her feeling extremely fulfilled.
For lunch, Elara prepared slow-roasted beef ribs, avocado salad, and Maine lobster. After finishing up with lunch, she returned to her café.
Ruby took a sip of her coffee and asked, "Alex is getting engaged next Friday. So, what's the plan? You going?"
"No way," Elara replied flatly.
Elara spent the entire afternoon engrossed in a book on massage points. Though the material was dry, she persisted in her study.
Ruby asked, "At the very least, you should get a gift, right? What are you giving? I can take it there for you."
Elara said, "Never thought about it. Just grab something for me while you're at it."
Ruby asked, "What price range do you think is reasonable?"
Elara replied, "Even if you pick something fancy or expensive, so what? He's the son-in-law of the wealthiest family in Veritasiton. He lacks for nothing. Just grab anything; it's the thought that counts."
Suddenly, the café's landline rang, and Lily picked up. She said, "Hello, Tiffany Café. How may I help you? Oh, you'd like to top up your account? Certainly. May I have your phone number, please?
"I see, you're not a member yet. Let me set up an account for you. May I have your name, please? Hartley? Oh, this is for your husband, Mr. Hartley? Understood. How much would you like to add?"
Lily's voice nearly cracked as she exclaimed, "What? Did you say you want to top up 150 thousand? Oh, sure, no problem."
After hanging up, Lily called out, "Ruby, Elara, you won't believe this. A lady just topped up her husband's account with 150 thousand."
Ruby gasped, "Seriously? 150 thousand? You'd have to eat here every single day for like two whole years with that, right?"
The average spend per person at the café was about 200 bucks, but with coffee priced at just 16 bucks a cup at most. Even if one came every day, that kind of money would last one a good two years.
Elara quickly figured out who it was. She remembered the last time at the café, when she'd jokingly suggested Adrian sign up for a membership card, and to her surprise, he agreed.
She thought, 'That woman on the phone must be Zoe. Of course, things like this are handled by the secretary. As if Adrian would ever call to top up an account himself!'
The next moment, a WhatsApp message popped up from Adrian. He said: [I had Zoe top up your café account with 150 thousand. From now on, just deduct your grocery and cooking expenses from there.]
Elara replied: [So, you finally decided to unblock me?]
Adrian left her on read.
Elara thought to herself, 'See? This man really can't take a joke. Say one thing, and he goes radio silent.'
Elara texted another message: [The café card funds can only be used for in-store purchases. Charging your groceries to it would be tricky.]
Adrian said: [I'll handle the grocery expenses separately. Send me your bank account number.]
Elara sent him her bank account number. Moments later, she received a text message: [You have received 300 thousand dollars from Adrian. Memo: Grocery money.]
Ruby craned her neck to peer at the message. After seeing the amount clearly, she exclaimed, "That is 300 thousand dollars. Is Adrian trying to be your sugar daddy now?"
Elara put down her phone and went back to her book. She said, "Don't overthink it. It's just grocery money."
"Fine," Ruby said.
Suddenly, another message popped up: [You've received 300 thousand dollars from Adrian. Memo: Service fee.]
Elara was stunned.