All Chapters of AWAKENED ADRIAN LACANSTER : Chapter 671
- Chapter 680
697 chapters
CHAPTER 671
Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed Clara’s hand. "Let’s go."Clara was shocked she had almost trusted this woman she now looked at her with disgust.As they reached the car, Clara was finally calming down. "How did you know, Adrian?""The earpiece was the first clue," Adrian said as he pulled out into traffic. "And no nursing mother avoids the baby section on a five-hour stakeout. Clara, the world is full of dangerous people. The necklace I gave you will protect you, but you have to learn to be observant. The world is evil, and I might not always be there to protect you."The spy woman practically ran out of the mall. She ducked into a dark alley where a black van was idling. She scrambled into the back, her chest heaving with terror. Jonah was sitting there, watching the replay on a tablet."That man... he almost snapped my neck!" she screamed, her hands shaking. "I was seconds away from dying! I’m out! Give me my pay and I’m gone!"Jonah didn't look at her. He just kept his e
CHAPTER 672
Adrian’s expression went completely blank. The "Michael" persona vanished, replaced by the cold, calculating gaze of a man who ruled empires."You thought I wouldn't find out?" Marcus laughed, his voice dripping with venom. "You think you’re smart, playing dress-up in a blue collar, but I am ten steps ahead of you. I’ve known for hours.""So you were the one who sent those amateur spies to monitor my house," Adrian said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, low register. "You’re lucky I haven’t seen them lately. If I find another one near my family, I’ll send their heads to your office in a box."Adrian took a step forward, his presence suddenly dwarfing the room. "Knowing my identity changes nothing, Marcus. I know who you are. I know you are sabotaging this company to buy it for pennies. I don't have the hard proof yet, but I will. I will expose you to the entire world as the thief and criminal you are."Marcus shook his head, laughing as if he’d just heard a joke. "Don't bite off m
CHAPTER 673
"You didn't show up. You realize you’re not a real employee, right? You can't just 'not show up' for work! I need you here ASAP. The stocks are crashing, the investors are screaming, and you're the only one who knows how to trace the leak!"On the other end of the line, there was a long, heavy sigh. "I resigned, Lilith," Adrian said quietly."What?" Lilith nearly dropped the phone. "You said you were going to help me! You made a bet with my father, remember? You can't just back out while the ship is sinking! That’s not fair!""My hands are tied," Adrian replied, his voice strained. "Marcus figured out my identity. There's no point in hiding behind a mop anymore, and he has... evidence. Evidence that puts my sister at risk. If I show my face at Global Corp today, I’m handing him the matches to burn my family down. I have to clean this up from the shadows.""You’re leaving me alone with these wolves?" Lilith’s voice broke."I’m still with you," Adrian promised. "I will expose the sabot
CHAPTER 674
"I know this is hard," the senior executive said, signaling to the guards at the door. "Take the day off. Go home and rest.""I do not need to rest! This is my company!""We aren't asking," Marcus said firmly.The security guards stepped forward. Lilith’s face turned a violent shade of red. "Don't you dare touch me!" she growled, her voice echoing off the glass walls. She threw her badge onto the table, the plastic clattering across the expensive wood. She turned on her heel and walked out, her chin held high even as her world collapsed behind her.As soon as she reached the sanctuary of her car, the mask crumbled. She slumped against the steering wheel, a sob breaking from her chest. Years of work, of sweat, of trying to prove she was worthy of her father’s name, all gone in a single, orchestrated strike.Miles away, Adrian sat in his darkened study, surrounded by glowing monitors. He watched the news break on every channel: GLOBAL CORP CEO STEPS DOWN; MARCUS THORNE TO TAKE THE HELM.
CHAPTER 675
A stunned silence gripped the room, followed by a burst of ecstatic murmurs."Incredible!" one executive shouted, slamming a fist on the table. "Even Lilith, with all her father's connections, never managed to catch the eye of the Rhein Group. And now, the most powerful man in tech is choosing our event to show his face? This is the ultimate endorsement!"Marcus adjusted his silk tie, a slow, predatory grin spreading across his face. "I promised you all I would take this company to heights Lilith couldn't imagine. Tonight, we aren't just transitioning power; we are becoming the center of the world's economy."He felt invincible. He was the protagonist of the century, and the only way from here was up.The night of the gala arrived with a spectacle that rivaled a royal wedding. Searchlights cut through the clouds, and dignitaries from three continents stepped out of armored limousines onto a red carpet that stretched for two blocks. Every camera lens was trained on the entrance, waitin
CHAPTER 676
Adrian’s face darkened into a scowl. "We have every right to be here." He reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a heavy, gold-embossed envelope—the legendary "One-of-One" invite reserved for the Rhein Group.Lilith stared at the gold print, her jaw dropping. "Adrian? How do you have that? That’s the President’s invite. Did you steal that? Are you...?" She couldn't even finish the thought."This invite is a one-of-one," Adrian told the guards, his voice like a sharpening blade. "Let us through."The lead guard snatched the envelope. He observed the gold seal for a second, looked at his partner, and then with a slow, mocking smile, he began to tear it into tiny pieces."Nice try, 'Michael,'" the guard laughed, tossing the confetti into the wind. "I can see why you were blacklisted. You're a crook. Why would the President of Rhein give a janitor his invite? Do you think we’re fools? Get out of here before I beat you into the pavement."Adrian’s muscles tensed, his eyes glowing wi
CHAPTER 677
Richard let out a sharp, mocking laugh that cut through the night air. He shook his head, looking at Adrian with a mixture of pity and pure disgust."You know, I almost believed in you," Richard said, his voice dripping with venom. "That is why I gave you one more week. I thought perhaps there was a spark of genius behind that janitor’s mask.""But now I see you are just an arrogant fool! An empty husk!" He turned his gaze toward Lilith, who looked as though she wanted the ground to swallow her whole. "You see the type of people you surround yourself with, Lilith? Someone who does nothing but make a mouth.""He promised to save the company... Did he? No!""He promised to get the attention of the President of the Rhein Group... Did he? Capital letter NO!"Richard stepped closer to Adrian, poking a finger toward his chest. "And you still have the guts to stand here and talk rubbish. You are a failure, and you’ve dragged my daughter down with you."Lilith lowered her head, her shoulders
CHAPTER 678
Adrian held her hands gently, a soft smile touching his face, which was the first genuine expression he’d shown all night. "There is a lot you don’t know about me, Vanessa. But I promise I will explain everything. It will all make sense after tonight. I’m glad you’re here."Before she could respond, Marcus Thorne appeared, striding through the crowd like a king surveying his kingdom. Vanessa immediately stiffened, picked up her tray, and hurried back to her post, disappearing into the crowd of guests.Marcus stopped in front of Adrian, a scowl darkening his face. "Who let you in here? I thought I gave strict orders to the security team to keep you off the premises.""Who invited me?" Adrian asked, his voice cool. "You sent me a personal invitation, Marcus. Are you surprised I showed up? I wouldn't dream of missing the night you think you’ve won."Marcus laughed, a loud, booming sound that drew the attention of nearby guests. "I gave only one person a special, gold-embossed invite, and
CHAPTER 679
The room erupted into a thunderous round of applause. Marcus stood up from his front-row seat, adjusting his silk tie with a smirk of absolute triumph. He walked onto the stage, basking in the glow of the spotlights. He looked like the savior the world had been waiting for."Thank you, thank you all," Marcus said, leaning into the microphone. His voice was smooth, practiced, and dripping with false sincerity. "Global Corp has been suffering for the past few months. We have all felt the sting of bad leadership and the uncertainty of a sinking ship. But tonight marks a turnaround! In just a few days, we have secured the attention of the Rhein Group. Unfortunately, the President has not arrived yet, but he will join us shortly to usher us into a new era where Global Corp sits at the very top!The crowd clapped again, their faces filled with hope. Marcus looked over at Lilith and Adrian in the back, his eyes mocking them. He was a god, and they were nothing.Suddenly, Julia, the Vice Pres
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"I'm insane?" Adrian asked softly. "Then let’s listen to the truth."The massive 4K screen behind them suddenly illuminated. It didn't show the Global Corp logo. Instead, a waveform of a voice recording appeared."I knew you would visit Fiona in prison," Adrian said to Marcus. "So I planted a listening device.'"Marcus looked mortified as the recording began to play. The audio was crystal clear, filling the hall with Marcus's own hypnotic, manipulative voice."I realized in that boardroom that if both of us went down, the plan would be dead," Marcus’s voice echoed from the speakers. "Lilith still thinks I’m her loyal servant. I’m going to use that trust to burn her company to the ground and take over the remains."The jaw of every person in the room dropped. Richard Novida looked like he had been struck by lightning. "How could you do this?" he barked at Marcus."That's not all," Adrian said. He swiped his hand across a tablet, and the screen changed. It showed a massive digital trail