Disguised Boss Ordered Coffee in His Own Bar — Then Froze at the Waitress’s 3 Words!
Chapter 14
Six months later, the Blue Lantern was busier than ever.
But everything had changed.
The accounting system was rebuilt.
Independent audits were mandatory.
Executive accounts required multiple approvals.
No one was allowed to secretly move company money.
Adrian had also created a new employee protection program.
Anonymous reporting.
Legal assistance.
Financial counseling.
He named it after Lucas.
Mia became part of the ownership board.
She still worked behind the bar once a week.
Not because she needed the money.
Because she loved the people.
And Adrian still visited.
Sometimes in a suit.
Sometimes in jeans.
Sometimes disguised.
Although nobody believed the disguise anymore.
One evening, Mia caught him wearing a baseball cap.
“You look ridiculous.”
“It’s a disguise.”
“You own the building.”
“Exactly.”
She laughed.
“You know everyone recognizes you.”
Adrian smiled.
“Maybe I like being recognized now.”
She looked at him.
“What changed?”
“You.”
She rolled her eyes.
“That’s dangerously romantic.”
“I’m serious.”
He took out a small box.
Mia stopped.
“Adrian.”
“I know.”
He opened it.
Inside was a simple ring.
Not enormous.
Not flashy.
Just elegant.
Mia stared.
“You’re proposing in your own bar?”
“Yes.”
“That’s terrible.”
“I can take it somewhere expensive.”
She smiled through tears.
“No.”
He waited.
She looked at him.
“Yes.”
Adrian exhaled.
Then laughed.
She reached over the bar and hugged him.
For a moment, everything was quiet.
Then the front door opened.
Lucas walked in.
“Should I come back later?”
Mia laughed.
“Yes.”
Lucas smiled.
But Adrian noticed something in his expression.
“What happened?”
Lucas placed an envelope on the counter.
“I received this yesterday.”
Adrian opened it.
Inside was an old photograph.
Joseph.
Michael.
Samuel.
Victor.
And a fifth man.
Adrian recognized him instantly.
Nathan.
But the date was twenty-five years before Nathan had even joined the company.
Adrian stared.
“That’s impossible.”
Lucas shook his head.
“I know.”
Mia looked at the photograph.
“Nathan was a child then.”
Adrian turned it over.
There was a message on the back.
The operation never ended.
Then another line.
Someone is still watching the Blue Lantern.
Adrian looked toward the window.
Across the street, a black car was parked.
The driver sat behind dark glass.
Mia’s hand tightened around his.
“Should we call the police?”
Adrian stared at the vehicle.
Then it drove away.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because this time…”
He looked at her.
“…we won’t run.”
