Disguised Boss Ordered Coffee in His Own Bar — Then Froze at the Waitress’s 3 Words!
Chapter 9
Eleanor refused to speak in the hotel.
She insisted they leave.
They returned to the Blue Lantern.
The basement door was locked again.
Eleanor looked around.
“This place hasn’t changed.”
Adrian stared at her.
“You knew about it?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t you tell us?”
“Because your father asked me not to.”
Mia stepped forward.
“Why did you abandon Lucas?”
Eleanor’s eyes filled with tears.
“I didn’t.”
“Then why did he grow up believing you were dead?”
“Because Joseph made me disappear.”
Adrian looked at his grandfather’s photograph.
“Why?”
Eleanor sat down.
“Your grandfather wanted control of the company.”
Michael refused.
So Joseph created shell companies.
He moved money.
He manipulated contracts.
Then he blamed Michael.
“When your father discovered it,” Eleanor said, “he tried to expose Joseph.”
Adrian listened.
“But Joseph had already taken control of key people.”
“Richard?”
“Yes.”
“Victor?”
“Yes.”
“Nathan?”
“Yes.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
“And my father’s death?”
Eleanor shook her head.
“Your father wasn’t killed by Joseph.”
Adrian looked up.
“Then who?”
She hesitated.
“Your grandmother.”
Silence.
“What?”
“She was dying.”
Eleanor explained.
Michael had planned to expose Joseph publicly.
Joseph responded by threatening Adrian and his mother.
Michael made a deal.
He would disappear.
The company would remain intact.
The official story would say he died.
Adrian’s heart broke.
“My father was alive?”
“For years.”
“Where?”
Eleanor looked at him.
“Under another name.”
Adrian stood.
“Did you know?”
“No.”
“Then when did he die?”
“Two years ago.”
Adrian felt the air leave his lungs.
He had spent twenty years mourning a death that wasn’t real.
His father had lived secretly.
And died without telling him.
“Why?”
Eleanor’s voice broke.
“He believed staying away was the only way to keep you alive.”
Mia took Adrian’s hand.
He didn’t pull away.
Then Nathan entered the bar.
Everyone froze.
Nathan looked around.
“I assume you know.”
Adrian stared.
“You’re working for Joseph.”
Nathan shook his head.
“I was.”
“Were?”
“Nobody works for Joseph forever.”
Adrian narrowed his eyes.
“What do you want?”
“Out.”
“Out of what?”
“The entire operation.”
Nathan placed a drive on the bar.
“This proves Joseph has been preparing to take the company legally.”
Adrian picked it up.
Nathan continued.
“He bought voting rights through six shell corporations.”
“So?”
“He now controls forty-three percent of the company.”
Adrian’s face tightened.
“Forty-three?”
“Yes.”
“And you?”
“Four percent.”
“That isn’t enough.”
Nathan shook his head.
“There is more.”
He pointed to Eleanor.
“Your mother controls ten.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Ten?”
She nodded.
“Your father transferred it to me.”
Adrian added the numbers.
Forty-three.
Ten.
His.
Nathan’s.
If Joseph obtained Adrian’s shares, he would control the company.
Adrian understood.
“He wants me to sell.”
Nathan nodded.
“Or die.”
Silence.
Then the front door opened.
Richard Cole walked in.
He looked at Eleanor.
Then Adrian.
“You finally found her.”
Adrian stepped forward.
“Did you help Joseph?”
Richard looked ashamed.
“Yes.”
Mia whispered:
“Why?”
Richard lowered his head.
“Because he threatened my daughter.”
Adrian stared.
“So everyone was protecting someone.”
Richard nodded.
Then he said:
“Except Nathan.”
Adrian looked at him.
Richard continued.
“Nathan isn’t working for Joseph.”
He pointed at him.
“He’s working for the government.”
