20

20

Adrian's POV

The weight of the tension from the meeting still lingered as I walked through the corridors of the Grant mansion, my mind replaying the conversation with Mason. His insistence that Bethany work for the family or face dire consequences gnawed at me, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more at play here than Mason was willing to admit.

The long hallway stretched before me, lined with portraits of Grant ancestors, their eyes seemingly following my every step. As I neared the Mason's home office, I found my thoughts drifting to Bethany. The way she had looked at me when she was leaving because I didn't even say anything when Mason was making her agree to that deal. The mix of hurt and defiance in her eyes—it was almost as if she were trying to erase what had happened between us.

I had to speak with her.

I turned the corner, and my gaze landed on the door to Mason's office. I paused for a moment, thinking of what I could do to fix this. Because I had to.

The door was ajar, and I could hear their voices rising inside. Mason's harsh tone was unmistakable, and Bethany's response was sharp and full of emotion. Of course they were arguing about this again. I didn't want to intrude, but I wasn't about to leave things hanging like this.

I pushed the door open slowly, my presence unannounced.

Mason was standing at his desk, hands planted firmly on the surface, his posture rigid with irritation. Bethany stood opposite him, her arms crossed over her chest, her back straight with a determination that I hadn't seen before.

They both turned to me at the same time, and Mason's expression shifted into something that could only be described as displeasure.

"Adrian," he said through gritted teeth, clearly not thrilled to see me.

Bethany's gaze, on the other hand, was wide and surprised, as if she hadn't expected me to be there.

I took a step forward, my eyes flicking between them. "I heard the argument. Thought I might be able to offer some perspective."

Mason's laugh was dry, laced with sarcasm. "Perspective? You're just as much a part of this as she is." He looked at Bethany, his voice hardening. "You're the one who broke the heirloom, after all."

Bethany's eyes flickered with frustration, but she didn't respond. She didn't need to. She just turned around and walked out without another word.

I focused on Mason, my tone steady but firm. "This isn't the way to handle it, Mason. You're pushing her into something she didn't ask for."

"I'm not pushing her," Mason shot back. "She's responsible for the damage. She's going to pay for it."

I couldn't keep the disbelief out of my voice. "By working for the family? That's your solution?"

"Yeah. That's my solution."

"Is it really necessary?" I pressed. "You're treating her like a piece of property, Mason. This is about more than just a broken heirloom, and you know it."

He stood taller, his jaw set. "She'll work it off. End of discussion."

I let out a breath, frustration rising in my chest. "I don't think you understand what you're doing here. You're making her an enemy when she's done nothing but act in good faith."

Mason narrowed his eyes. "Good faith? She's a liability now. You're not the one who has to clean up the mess she made, Adrian. I am."

I shook my head slowly. "You're missing the bigger picture."

I took a step back, looking at Bethany. She was standing still, her eyes unreadable, but I saw the tightness in her posture, the way her hands gripped her arms as if trying to hold herself together.

I wanted to reach out to her, to make this right. But she didn't want that. Not right now.

I looked back at Mason, my voice quieter now, but no less determined. "You're pushing her away, Mason. If you want to keep her in your life, you need to start seeing her as more than just a pawn in your family's game."

Mason's eyes flickered with something dark, but it passed quickly. He was too proud to admit any fault, too consumed by his need for control.

"I'm done here." I turned away from them, my frustration building again. "Handle it however you want, but don't expect me to sit back and watch you destroy everything."

I walked out of the office, the door swinging closed behind me.

I needed to find Bethany. She wasn't going to let me speak freely with her, but I wasn't going to just walk away and leave her in the claws of Mason.

I found her in one of the hallways, walking briskly, her steps hurried as if she was trying to outrun the storm in her head.

"Bethany." I called out her name, my voice low, but she didn't stop.

I took a few steps toward her, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Bethany, please," I said again, this time softer, more pleading.

She stopped, her back to me, but her shoulders stiffened. I knew she wasn't going to turn around. Not yet.

"You don't have to do this," I said, standing a few feet away from her. "You don't have to deal with him alone."

She laughed bitterly, the sound cutting through me like a blade. "Don't act like you care. You don't. You're just here to clean up his mess, just like always."

My heart sank. "That's not what I'm doing. I'm trying to help you, Bethany. But you won't let me."

Her shoulders sagged slightly, but she still didn't turn to face me.

"I don't want your help, Adrian," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I flinched, the words stinging more than I expected.

I closed the distance between us, standing directly behind her. "You don't have to pretend. I'm here for you."

"I don't need you here," she replied, her voice colder now.

"I can't forget what happened, Bethany," I said quietly. "I can't just act like it was nothing."

She turned then, her eyes wild with frustration and confusion.

"You should," she spat. "You should act like it was nothing. It was a mistake, Adrian. I don't need you complicating things."

I swallowed, fat chest feeling heavy but U wasn't about to give up yet.

"You're wrong," I said firmly. "It wasn't a mistake. And I'm not going anywhere."

I watched her eyes flicker with something unreadable, but she didn't say anything else. She just turned around and walked off,waving me standing in the hallway.