Adrian Cole; Return of the Lost Heir

Impossible

Chapter Nine

The air in the auction hall was charged, every murmur laced with anticipation. Faces leaned forward, hungry for drama, eyes glittering in expectation of Adrian’s fall.

Elena could no longer contain herself. She surged to her feet, her voice breaking with panic.

“Adrian, stop this madness!” Her words cut across the hall like a whip, earning curious stares. “Do you want to ruin me completely? Do you want to see me lose everything?”

Her chest rose and fell rapidly, hands clenched tight by her sides. “You know what’s at stake—fifty million dollars. That’s what I poured into the project Lucas helped me secure with Armstrong’s company. If this blows up, if the deal collapses, my company will sink into bankruptcy! All because you refuse to back down.” Her voice cracked, desperation echoing against the gilded walls. “You’ve already divorced me, Adrian. Must you humiliate me too?”

Her plea ignited a wave of whispers.

“She’s right—he’s dragging her into this.”

“What sort of man humiliates his ex-wife like this?”

“Lucas Brown is clearly the better choice—at least he protects her.”

The mockery in the crowd stung, but Adrian remained perfectly still. His gaze didn’t waver, his voice unhurried and firm.

“Step aside, Elena,” he said. The simple words struck sharper than a shout. “This has nothing to do with you. I’m not here to ruin your reputation. I’m here to pay for what I bought. Nothing more.”

The calm certainty in his tone left her momentarily speechless, though the audience scoffed louder.

Lucas Brown seized the silence. Rising from his seat with theatrical ease, he fixed Adrian with a mocking smile. “Then let’s not waste more time,” he drawled, his voice carrying across the room. “Verify the card. Let’s see this game end properly.” He chuckled, eyes glinting with malice. “We all know what’s coming. The owner must have blocked it already. Unless—” he swept a deliberate glance toward Catherine Moretti, who sat coolly at Adrian’s side, “—unless she plans to clean up your mess.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by soft laughter.

“So that’s it—he’s hiding behind Catherine’s influence.”

“How shameless.”

“Without her, he’s nothing.”

But Adrian didn’t so much as blink. Instead, he smirked faintly, reached into his jacket, and handed the black card to the attendant with steady hands.

The attendant hesitated, glancing between him and the host before hurrying off. The weight of silence pressed down on the room, thick and heavy. All that could be heard were the faint clinks of glasses and the occasional cough.

Elena clasped her hands tightly, her knuckles white. Each second dragged like an eternity, her heart hammering. Please, she thought desperately, let this end now before he shatters everything.

At last, the attendant returned, his expression unreadable. The hall collectively held its breath.

“Verification successful.”

The words rang out like thunder.

For a moment, the room froze. Then chaos erupted.

“What?”

“Impossible!”

“That card worked?”

Elena’s legs nearly gave way. She grabbed the edge of the table to steady herself, her vision spinning.

Lucas stiffened, his smirk faltering. Shock flickered in his eyes, quickly smothered under forced arrogance. He gave a low, forced chuckle. “This is Catherine’s doing,” he declared loudly, his tone dripping with accusation. “He’s nothing but a fraud. She must have given him someone else’s card. Tell me, Catherine—why waste your influence covering for him?”

Every gaze swung toward her. Catherine didn’t so much as flinch. She leaned back in her chair, swirling her wine, lips curving into a faint smile.

“Careful with your words, Lucas Brown,” she said smoothly, her tone velvet wrapped around steel. “You really don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

The edge in her voice sliced through the whispers. A ripple of unease spread across the hall.

Lucas bristled, his pride pricked raw. He jabbed a finger toward Adrian, his voice growing shrill beneath the façade of calm. “I’ll uncover the truth myself. Everyone here has seen it—something isn’t right. And I swear, I won’t rest until I expose him for what he is!”

The hall buzzed again. Some nodded in agreement, eager for more drama. Others eyed Adrian with new wariness.

But Adrian didn’t so much as twitch. His calm gaze swept the room before resting back on the auctioneer. His voice was quiet but commanding. “Shall we proceed?”

The host, still rattled, quickly lifted his gavel. “Fifteen million, confirmed. Going once… going twice…”

Bang.

“Sold—to Mr. Adrian Cole.”

The finality of the sound sent another shockwave through the hall.

Elena slumped into her chair, tears brimming but unshed, shame and confusion twisting inside her. Lucas clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles blanched, his teeth grinding behind a smile that no longer reached his eyes.

The attendants carefully brought over the item—a velvet case containing the prized ring. Adrian accepted it without fanfare, his composure unshaken. He didn’t bask in triumph, nor gloat over his rivals. He simply closed the case, his face unreadable, as if the fifteen million meant nothing to him.

The restraint, the effortless control, only deepened the unease among the onlookers.

Lucas’s chest burned with rage. He wanted to roar, to demand answers, to strip Adrian bare in front of them all. But under Catherine’s cold smile and Adrian’s unshakable calm, his words withered before they could leave his throat.

Still, he forced himself to laugh, his voice brittle. “Enjoy it while you can, Adrian Cole. You won’t be so smug once the truth comes out. A dog in a suit is still a dog.”

Adrian’s eyes flicked toward him briefly, the barest curve of a smile touching his lips. “Some dogs bark,” he murmured, just loud enough for those nearby to hear, “others bite. You’ll learn which I am soon enough.”