Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 90: Chapter 90

As Adrian walked in, the whole place instantly buzzed with whispers.
"Adrian actually showed up."
"Oh wow, this is my first time seeing him. He's so damn hot! Too bad he's already engaged."
"Adrian hasn't attended a single Hartley family party since he left. Could he really be here just for that woman?"
"Or what if he's here to put that brazen woman in her place instead?"
"Hard to say. Let's watch."
Elara turned her head. Following Victor's gaze, she instantly spotted Adrian in his tailored suit—the same man who, just hours ago, had sworn never to see her again, the one determined to sever all ties with her.
Eyes shining with tears, Elara looked at him, not saying a word. 'Is he actually here to help, or just to watch me fall apart? Whatever. It's his decision to show up in front of me, not mine,' she thought.
"Elara, you just had to drag Adrian into this? Go to hell!" Nancy shrieked. Knowing Adrian's arrival meant her own doom, she lunged forward to violently shove Elara to the ground.
As luck would have it, there was a six-foot champagne tower set up right next to Elara. She was so caught up watching Adrian that she wasn't prepared, lost her balance, and crashed right into it. Champagne and glass rained down all around her.
Smack in the center of the room, underneath the bright chandelier, the massive champagne tower made out of hundreds of crystal glasses came crashing down with a deafening crash. Shards and bubbly went flying across the marble floor.
Elara lay there, soaked and surrounded by broken glass and champagne, unable to move for what felt like forever. Her head spun and her dress was drenched in sticky, sweet champagne, weighing her down and making her feel heavy all over.
Ruby and Julian rushed to help, but with glass everywhere, Elara's hands and neck were already nicked and stinging. She winced as they tried to pull her up. Victor yelled for the hotel's medical team, and in seconds, the whole hall was in chaos.
Adrian watched it all happen as he came closer. The usual laid-back look on his face turned cold when he saw Elara—her eyes bloodshot, tear stains on her cheeks, but it wasn't pain that got to her.
Blood ran down her neck into her dress. She looked small and battered, but there wasn't a hint of giving up in her eyes.
Adrian strode right past Elara without a glance, making a beeline for Sadie and Joseph.
Justin had arrived with Adrian. Seeing Elara's disheveled state, he cursed inwardly, quickly took off his suit jacket, and draped it over her shoulders.
He murmured, "Adrian just signed a major contract with a big client in Hachester. He didn't even finish his conversation before rushing back. Looks like he wrestled with himself for hours and finally came to his senses."
With a nonchalant shrug, Elara pulled Justin's oversized jacket tighter around herself. "Thanks."
Justin said, "Just wait. Adrian's about to get back at them for you."
Elara retorted, "Are you sure you're not just here for the drama?"
Adrian was chatting and laughing merrily with his family at that moment. Joseph, who hadn't seen Adrian in over half a year, was naturally overjoyed to see him again.
"Adrian," Joseph said, "I've called you a dozen times and you never picked up. It's your sister's engagement party. You really should be here."
Adrian shrugged. "Is that right? Well, now that I am, I'm guessing Sadie's not exactly thrilled."
Joseph chuckled, "Sadie is just managing the company for you temporarily. She's dying for you to come back so she can settle down and focus on family life, right?"
Sadie's expression was strained, but she forced a smile. "Of course, Adrian. I'm happy that you're back."
Adrian drawled teasingly, "Oh? Then I'll hold you to that, Sadie."
Sadie maintained her stiff smile. "Of course. But Adrian, what brings you here today? You never even bother to come home for Dad's birthday."
"I brought someone to meet all of you."
Adrian glanced over at Elara as she was getting bandaged up and strolled over, smirking. "Seriously, I leave you alone for a few hours and you already get yourself into this kind of trouble? Look at you—you're a total mess."
Elara had assumed Adrian would ignore her completely, so she froze in place, words failing her.
Adrian teased, "What, don't recognize me anymore?"
Elara maintained a distant expression as she greeted him formally, "Mr. Hartley."
Adrian chuckled, "Come on, don't be a stranger."
Adrian scowled at the black suit jacket on Elara. As soon as they finished patching her up, he walked over, slipped Justin's jacket off her, and tossed it back at him.
Then he shrugged off his own and draped it over her. "Don't wear some other guy's jacket," he said. "You'll give people the wrong impression."
Justin thought to himself, 'Seriously? What's wrong with her wearing my jacket?'
Adrian adjusted the coat snugly around Elara, then draped an arm over her shoulders and guided her forward, presenting her to Joseph. "Allow me to introduce my girlfriend," he said to Joseph, then to Elara, "Darling, say hello to my father."
Hearing this, Elara felt as if she were floating in a champagne haze—her head was spinning and she couldn't think straight.
"Darling, mind your manners with the elders. Don't be rude," Adrian added.
Elara stood frozen, her lips sealed as if glued—no words would come out.
Joseph's face darkened. "Adrian, you're set to marry Josie in just a few years, and you've got a girlfriend?"
"Why not? It's not like Josie's been short on boyfriends all these years. So what if I have a girlfriend?" Adrian shot back.
Joseph frowned and said, "Adrian, weren't you always head over heels for Josie? Why..."
Adrian cut him off. "People change." He gave Elara's shoulder a squeeze. "Hey babe, don't be shy—say hi."
Elara, still dazed, haltingly said, "Mr. Hartley."
Joseph reluctantly nodded with a smile.
Adrian turned to Monica, then told Elara, "That's my stepmom. You can call her Monica, same as me."
Elara's throat tightened. "M-Monica," she stammered.
Adrian grinned smugly at Joseph and said, "First time meeting her—surely she deserves a gift, right?"
Joseph and Monica froze, utterly stunned.
Sadie jumped in, "Let's keep the focus on Nancy tonight; it's her big day. You can bring Elara over for dinner some other time. Mom and Dad will definitely have something nice prepared for her then."
Monica nodded frantically. "Right! Let's talk about this another day, okay?"
Adrian snorted. "Really, Mrs. Hartley? First time you meet my girlfriend and you can't even offer her a gift? That's pretty rude."
Monica, feeling mortified, could only look to Joseph for help.
Joseph's expression was conflicted. "Go prepare it," he said.
With no other choice, Monica went to prepare the gift.
Adrian flashed Elara a wicked grin. "Babe, who's been giving you a hard time today? Go ahead and tell my dad—he'll back you up."
Joseph just stood there, completely at a loss for words.
Elara hesitated, then spoke up. "Nancy."
"Oh? So it was Nancy who shoved you down, babe?" Adrian said.