Disguised Boss Ordered Coffee in His Own Bar — Then Froze at the Waitress’s 3 Words!
Chapter 5
Adrian told Mia to stay away from the Blue Lantern.
She refused.
“That’s where I work.”
“Not anymore.”
“You can’t fire me.”
“I own the place.”
She crossed her arms.
“That wasn’t the question.”
Adrian almost smiled.
“You’re impossible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
But by the next morning, the Blue Lantern had changed.
Two new security guards appeared.
The manager, Rick Halston, was gone.
Three accountants had been suspended.
Adrian also ordered a full audit of every business in the Cole Hospitality Group.
The numbers were worse than expected.
Nearly eighteen million dollars had disappeared over three years.
And every major transaction led back to Northstar.
But something still bothered him.
If Richard was stealing money, why had he allowed the company to grow so quickly?
The answer came from a retired accountant.
“Because the money wasn’t the goal,” she told Adrian.
“What was?”
“Control.”
Adrian frowned.
She explained that shell companies were buying pieces of suppliers, landlords, and even smaller businesses that depended on Cole Hospitality.
Someone was slowly creating leverage over Adrian’s entire operation.
They weren’t trying to destroy him.
They were trying to own him.
That night, Adrian returned to the Blue Lantern.
Mia was sitting alone at the bar.
“You’re not supposed to be working.”
“I missed the coffee.”
He sat beside her.
She slid a cup over.
“Black.”
He smiled.
“Perfect.”
She studied him.
“You look tired.”
“I am.”
“Richard?”
“Yes.”
“You trust him.”
“I did.”
She lowered her voice.
“Then this will hurt.”
Adrian looked at her.
“More than you know.”
Mia hesitated.
“Lucas told me something before he disappeared.”
“What?”
“He said the money wasn’t the biggest secret.”
Adrian’s attention sharpened.
“What was?”
“He wouldn’t tell me.”
“Why?”
“He said he needed proof.”
Adrian stared.
“Where is Lucas now?”
“I still don’t know.”
A phone buzzed on the counter.
Mia’s.
She looked at the screen.
Her face changed.
It was a message from Lucas.
Warehouse 14. Midnight. Come alone.
Adrian stood.
“No.”
“He’s alive.”
“I know.”
“I have to go.”
“I’ll take you.”
“He said alone.”
“I don’t care.”
Mia looked at him.
Then smiled slightly.
“Bossy.”
“Very.”
At midnight, they drove to Warehouse 14.
The building had been abandoned for years.
Adrian entered first.
“Mia, stay behind me.”
A light switched on.
Lucas stepped out.
He was thinner.
Bruised.
But alive.
Mia ran to him.
“Oh my God.”
Lucas hugged her.
“I knew you’d come.”
Adrian approached.
“Who did this?”
Lucas looked at him.
“You’re Adrian Cole.”
“Yes.”
Lucas laughed weakly.
“I’ve been trying to get to you for weeks.”
“Why didn’t you contact me directly?”
“Because someone was monitoring every executive line.”
He handed Adrian a flash drive.
“The entire operation is here.”
Adrian took it.
“What operation?”
Lucas looked toward the dark hallway.
“Northstar isn’t controlled by Richard Cole.”
Adrian frowned.
“Then who?”
Lucas whispered:
“Your father.”
Adrian froze.
“My father is dead.”
“I know.”
“Then explain.”
Lucas’s voice shook.
“Your father’s death wasn’t an accident.”
