Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 95: Chapter 95

Elara was startled by his next move and pushed Adrian away in a panic. "Are you crazy?"
Adrian straightened up, then slammed her back down onto the couch again.
For the first time in his life, he felt defeated—by a woman.
Adrian grew even more frustrated. "Can't you just move on? Is Alex really that great?"
It wasn't the first time Elara had heard this. Julian had asked her the same thing.
They kept bringing up Alex in front of her. But no matter what her past with Alex had been—good or bad—it was already over. She didn't get why they kept pushing.
She wasn't a computer. She couldn't just hit delete and wipe out all her memories of him.
Her parents had no love. Alex didn't love her either. And now Adrian—the guy with a fiancée—was asking her to be his girlfriend.
She really didn't know what love was anymore. She wondered if it was something precious or just cheap.
So Elara said, "Adrian, what makes you think I should be your girlfriend? You're engaged to Josie. You're moody and controlling—you always need to come out on top. Being your girlfriend sounds like a nightmare.
"And what is it that you even like about me? I have no power, no money. You just want my body, don't you?"
Adrian felt a sharp sting in his chest, for no reason he could explain. "I gave you status today. I protected you. And that's how you see me?
"You've been Alex's simp for years, and he still cheated. You even came to me and begged for his sake. Why would you do all that for him?"
Elara said, "Alex saved my life. I ate dinner at his house every night for three years in high school because my parents were never home. Dylan went to my parent-teacher conferences.
"I worked for you, sucked up to you, begged you for help because of that favor they gave me. They earned it. And if you think that makes me Alex's simp, fine. Think what you want."
Whatever feelings she'd had for Alex were already over. But when it came to kindness, both Alex and Dylan had treated her well.
She kept going. "I'm telling you this so you know—there's no comparing you and Alex in my eyes."
Adrian hated how nothing seemed to get through to her. He almost wanted to just take her, whether she agreed or not. But in the end, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
Still unwilling to let go, he asked, "What about me? I'm still not better than Alex? After what I did for you today, how are you gonna repay me?"
Elara's mind was clear now. She no longer had to do anything for Alex, so she didn't have to hold back anymore.
She said, "I do owe you for today. So at most, I'll cover for Susan a few more months. I don't need to be paid."
If Adrian refused to let her return as his assistant, then so be it—she just wouldn't repay the favor. She mostly felt bad about Susan, since she'd probably lost her job because of all this.
She added, "Or I can pay you. Just name a price. Once I give you the money, I'll stay far away from you. That way, you get peace and quiet. But anything more than that—I really can't do it."
Adrian said, "Elara, it's true—I never saved your life like Alex did. But don't forget, I can save Dylan's. Are you sure you want to stay away from me?"
Elara glared at him, furious. "Are you threatening me?"
"You got close to me for Alex, didn't you? Fine, I'll give you another shot," Adrian said. "If you stay with me, I'll make sure Dylan gets out of prison safe."
Elara let out a cold laugh. "You saw it at Alex's engagement party—I've already cut ties with him. Whatever happens to him now has nothing to do with me.
"I'm not gonna kiss up to you for him anymore. Sorry to disappoint you, Adrian."
He didn't buy it. "Really? You're that heartless?"
"Of course I am. He's the one who pushed me away," she replied.
Adrian didn't know if he should feel pleased or annoyed by that.
"You don't think Dylan's gonna survive a week in prison without my help?" he asked, still trying to get through to her.
Elara froze. She hadn't expected things to be that bad. "What do you mean?"
"The Heaton family wants him dead," Adrian said. "The only reason he's still breathing is because no one can find the evidence he has."
Elara suddenly remembered the thing Dylan gave her—it was still in her coat pocket.
She tried to get up and head to the bathroom to retrieve it, but Adrian pinned her down relentlessly.
"Move. I need to grab something," she said.
Adrian only got off her when he realized she wasn't trying to run.
Elara went straight to the bathroom, dug into her soaked coat, and pulled out the tiny USB drive.
Adrian followed and saw it in her hand.
"Dylan gave that to you?" he asked.
Elara nodded, guarded. "The Heaton family's looking for this, aren't they?"
Adrian stepped forward and took it from her.
"Hey, give it back!" Elara tried to grab it again.
Adrian hid it behind his back. "What are you planning to do with it? This thing is dangerous. If the Hartley family checks the cameras and sees you met with Dylan, they'll come for you next.
"If you care about your family or your friends, let me hold onto it."
"But..." Elara still hesitated.
"But what? You're planning to give it to Alex?" Adrian asked. "Didn't you realize Dylan told Alex to marry Nancy to protect him? This thing will only drag Alex into more danger."
His face was serious, leaving no room for argument. "It's only safe with me. They won't dare touch me."
Elara still felt uneasy. "So what are you going to do with it?"
"What I do depends on you," Adrian said, locking eyes with her. "Do you want me to help Alex, or stay out of it?"
Elara lowered her gaze. "I want you to help them. They've always been kind, decent people. Using this to pressure the Heatons... they didn't have a choice. Ordinary people like us—it's hard to survive stuff like this."
"And if I agree to help Dylan, how are you going to repay me?" Adrian pushed again.
If he saved Dylan, Elara would owe him another favor. The more she owed him, the closer he'd be to matching what Alex once meant to her.
He knew she wouldn't fall for him overnight, but if he had to be patient, he would. Sooner or later, she'd see him in a different light.
Elara sighed, tired of him asking for something she couldn't give. "Adrian, I really don't have anything to offer you. If you don't want to help, then don't. I've paid back what I owed them."
Her tone was so final that Adrian didn't even know how to feel.
Still, crashing Alex and Nancy's engagement party hadn't been a waste for him—at least now, Elara clearly didn't care that much about Alex anymore. Must've been too hurt to hang on. And that was a win for Adrian.
He took a few steps closer to her. "This doesn't work, that doesn't work—how about I serve you instead? Consider it my way of making it up to you."