Adrian Carter's Silent Dominance

CHAPTER 2

Vanessa sat on the edge of the couch, shaking with leftover anger.

Her hair was still messy, and the smell of alcohol still lingered on her clothes.

The house was quiet, except for her irritated breathing.

Without thinking twice, she grabbed her phone and dialed the person she always vented to.

Monica picked up almost immediately.

“Vanessa? You sound like you’re ready to rip someone apart. What happened?” Monica asked.

Vanessa didn’t even bother with greetings.

“It’s Adrian,” she snapped, her voice rising sharply as frustration poured out of her.

“You… you won’t even believe what that man just said to me. I swear, I’m still trying to process it. He—” she pressed a hand to her forehead.

“—he actually had the nerve to look me in the face and say he wants a divorce!”

There was a brief silence.

Then Monica burst into laughter.

Vanessa frowned. “What’s funny? I’m being serious!”

“Oh, I know you’re serious,” Monica said between laughs. “But Vanessa… finally! Finally that man grew a spine? This is great news.”

Vanessa blinked, confused. “Great? Monica, are you listening? He wants to divorce me!”

“And he absolutely should,” Monica  replied, sounding delighted. “But we both know he’s not doing this out of bravery. Please. He must be aiming for your money.”

Monica’s tone turned sharp, almost offended on Vanessa's behalf.

“That man is useless. If he wants out now, it’s because your company’s value is about to explode. You’re signing the cooperation agreement with the Rand family tomorrow, right? Of course he wants a piece.”

Vanessa clenched her jaw.

Just hearing that made her blood boil all over again.

“You’re right,” she muttered. “He must have planned this. The timing is too perfect. The agreement tomorrow will double the value of my company. And now he suddenly wants a divorce? He thinks he’s clever.”

Monica smirked through the phone. “Don’t worry. You know I’m the best divorce lawyer in this city. I’ll make sure he doesn’t get a penny. He’ll walk out with exactly what he brought into the marriage — nothing.”

Vanessa leaned back, feeling her anger change into resolve.

“Yes. I won’t let him touch a single cent I earned. He’s not taking advantage of me.”

“Good girl. Leave everything to me,” Monica said. “Focus on the contract signing tomorrow. I’ll handle your little househusband.”

Vanessa nodded even though Monica  couldn’t see her.

But she felt calmer.

Or at least focused.

She hung up and grabbed her bag.

Upstairs, Adrian quietly stood outside Lily's room.

He pushed the door gently and saw that Lily was already awake.

She sat up with her blanket around her shoulders, hugging her stuffed bunny tightly. Her big eyes looked tired.

“Daddy… are you and Mommy fighting again?” she whispered.

Adrian walked in and sat beside her bed.

“I’m sorry you heard that,” he said softly.

Lily shook her head. “I always hear it.”

That sentence alone pierced deeper than anything Vanessa had said.

She reached out and held his sleeve.

“Daddy… if you go away… I’ll be alone.”

Adrian looked at her. His expression stayed calm, but something in his eyes softened.

“I’m not leaving you,” he said.

Lily let out a tiny breath of relief.

“Mommy never cares about me,” she whispered. “She always says she’s busy. But you… you always stay. You read me stories. You cook for me. You braid my hair, even though it looks funny sometimes.”

Adrian let out a faint, self-deprecating smile.

Lily leaned her forehead against his arm.

“Daddy… I’ll always love you.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment.

But the silence was full.

When she finally drifted back to sleep, her small hand still held onto his sleeve.

Adrian gently tucked her blanket in, stood up, and walked out of her room quietly.

He closed the door halfway.

Then he took out his phone.

His expression changed—still calm, but deeper.

He dialed a number he hadn’t used in a very long time.

The call connected instantly.

A man’s voice filled the line, trembling with excitement.

“Young master?”

Adrian said nothing at first.

Victor Rand didn't wait. “Young master, is it really you? You’re finally calling me again!”

“I need a place to stay,” Adrian said simply.

Victor inhaled sharply.

Then, as if overwhelmed and in disbelief, he whispered, “The young master has returned!”

“Young master,” Victor said, voice shaking, “I’ve waited so long for this day.”

Adrian didn’t react. “I just need a place. Nothing more.”

Adrian didn’t say anything else.

He simply ended the call.

Victor ignored that entirely. He ignored Adrian's indifference.

He struck something that sounded like a giant gong. The ringing echoed through the large hall he was in.

Within seconds, dozens of voices filled the room.

Victor’s expression turned cold and commanding.

“Listen carefully,” he said. “Tomorrow morning, the entire family will go out to welcome a big shot. Everyone must attend.”

A young man hesitated. “But… Patriarch… tomorrow we’re supposed to sign the contract with Vanessa's company.”

Victor’s expression hardened. “This is more important. Those who do not attend will be expelled from the family.”

No one objected, though everyone was curious about who this big shot might be.

—

The next morning, Monica arrived early. Too early.

She let herself in without knocking, holding a folder with a bright orange cover.

“Slept well, Adrian?” she asked mockingly. “I brought something special.”

Adrian sat calmly at the dining table with a cup of tea. His posture was relaxed, almost indifferent.

Monica strutted closer. “Here it is.” She slapped the folder on the table. “The divorce agreement. All done.”

Adrian glanced at it but said nothing.

Monica smirked. “Vanessa left early today. She has an important contract to sign, you know. And she trusts me to handle the… tiny issue of you.”

Her tone dripped with confidence.

“I hope you’re not seriously thinking about asking for money,” she said, her voice sharp as she lifted her chin with pride.

“Because if that’s what’s sitting in that head of yours, let me stop you right now.” She folded her arms, giving him a smug look.

“You’re not getting anything. Not a cent. Not even the dust sitting on top of a cent,” she said.

Adrian took a calm sip of tea.

“That’s fine,” he said.

Monica blinked.

“…What?”

He finally lifted his gaze slightly.

“My only request is custody of Lily.”

Monica’s mouth fell open.

For a moment, she forgot to breathe.

Then she laughed loudly. “That’s it? No money? No assets? Nothing?”

“That’s it,” Adrian replied.

Monica felt like her entire day had just brightened. “Oh, this is perfect. Vanessa will be thrilled.”

She shoved the pen into his hand.

“Go on. Sign it quickly. I have a meeting in an hour.”

Adrian didn’t hesitate.

 He signed the agreement with one smooth motion.

No pause. No second thoughts.

Monica grinned at him.

“You know…” she said smugly, closing the folder, “you don’t have any money at all. How exactly do you plan to take care of Lily? Feed her air? Water?”

Her voice was mocking, practically dancing with pride.

Adrian didn’t reply immediately.

He simply gave her a calm, almost indifferent look.

The kind of look a person gives a mosquito buzzing too close.