Disguised Boss Ordered Coffee in His Own Bar — Then Froze at the Waitress’s 3 Words!
Chapter 2
Adrian slipped the note into his pocket.
He didn’t leave.
Instead, he ordered another coffee.
Mia approached him slowly.
“You didn’t listen.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t think you’re trying to scare me.”
Her expression tightened.
“Then you’re smarter than you look.”
Adrian leaned against the bar.
“Who are you?”
“Your waitress.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know.”
She picked up a glass.
“Then ask a better question.”
Adrian watched her.
“What are you afraid of?”
Mia stopped.
For a moment, her confidence disappeared.
Then she recovered.
“Losing my job.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t believe you.”
She looked directly into his eyes.
“Then don’t.”
She walked away.
Adrian watched the room.
Something was wrong.
Employees weren’t relaxed.
They were watching each other.
Whenever Rick passed by, conversations stopped.
The bartenders counted cash twice.
A dishwasher kept checking his phone.
Someone had created an atmosphere where everyone expected trouble.
Adrian had seen it before.
That wasn’t a bad management problem.
That was fear.
At midnight, the crowd began thinning.
Adrian remained.
Mia finally approached.
“You’re still here.”
“You’re still working.”
“Touché.”
He smiled.
“Why did you leave that note?”
She looked around before answering.
“Because you’re different.”
“How?”
“You asked for coffee.”
Adrian blinked.
“What?”
“You sat at the bar like a normal person.”
“I am normal.”
She laughed.
“No rich man I know is normal.”
Adrian almost choked.
“Who said I’m rich?”
“Nobody.”
She walked away again.
He realized she was testing him.
At 12:30, Rick entered the office.
A man in a black coat followed him.
Adrian recognized him.
Victor Crane.
Head of security for the entire Cole Hospitality Group.
Victor had no reason to be at the Blue Lantern tonight.
Adrian watched through the reflection in the bar mirror.
Victor handed Rick a folder.
Rick looked nervous.
Adrian stood.
Mia immediately appeared beside him.
“Where are you going?”
“Bathroom.”
“Wrong direction.”
He glanced down.
She was right.
He smiled.
“I’m tired.”
“So am I.”
He lowered his voice.
“Who is Victor Crane?”
Mia’s expression changed.
“You know him?”
“Should I?”
“No.”
That answer came too quickly.
Adrian studied her.
“You’re scared of him.”
“I said no.”
“Mia.”
She finally looked at him.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain.”
“Not here.”
She stepped closer.
“Meet me outside after closing.”
Adrian nodded.
At 1:45, the Blue Lantern finally emptied.
Mia locked the front door.
Adrian waited near the alley.
She came out carrying her bag.
“You actually stayed.”
“You asked me to.”
She looked toward the street.
“Good.”
“Why?”
“Because I need someone who isn’t afraid of asking questions.”
Adrian crossed his arms.
“What happened?”
Mia took out her phone.
She showed him a photograph.
It was a cash ledger.
Several numbers had been circled.
“What’s this?”
“Missing money.”
“From the bar?”
“From every bar in the group.”
Adrian felt something cold move through him.
“How do you know?”
“My brother works in accounting for Cole Hospitality.”
Adrian went still.
“And?”
“He found the missing payments.”
“To whom?”
Mia looked at him.
“We don’t know.”
“Then what do you know?”
“My brother disappeared three weeks ago.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“Police?”
“Not enough evidence.”
“Why come to me?”
“I don’t know who you are.”
She laughed bitterly.
“But tonight you looked like someone who might actually care.”
Adrian wanted to tell her everything.
His name.
His company.
His reason for being there.
Instead, before he could speak, footsteps sounded behind them.
Mia grabbed his arm.
“Don’t turn around.”
Adrian stayed still.
A black car rolled slowly past the alley.
It stopped.
The rear window lowered.
A man’s voice called:
“Mia.”
Her face went pale.
Then the car drove away.
Adrian looked at her.
“What did he want?”
She whispered:
“That was my brother.”
