Dark Fate: The Useless Son-in-Law’s Vengeance

The Penthouse

Fifty floors above, Adrian stood with Sophia in the center of the penthouse suite.

Sunlight flooded the space, reflecting off polished marble floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around the entire apartment, offering an unobstructed view of the city skyline.

Sophia turned slowly, taking it all in. “Adrian,” she said softly, “this is… I can’t accept this. This apartment must be worth…”

“It’s an investment,” Adrian said simply. “I’ve followed Stellar Dynamics for years. Your innovation was remarkable. I tried to invest multiple times, but I could never get a share.” Although it was a lie as he only heard about it after meeting her, he said it to put her mind at ease.

Sophia’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. 

“Consider this penthouse part of my investment in your future. When Stellar Dynamics rises again…and it will…I want to be part of that success.”

“You really believe that?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“I’m counting on it.”

A tear slipped down her cheek. After the bankruptcy, she had lost everyone . Partners and friends disappeared leaving her to her demise. She never thought she would find someone who would trust her again.

He pulled a set of keys from his pocket and placed them in her palm. “These are yours. Marcus will check in periodically, but otherwise, this is your space.”

Sophia’s fingers closed around the keys. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Rebuild your empire,” Adrian said with a slight smile. “That’s all the thanks I need.”

They walked toward the private elevator. Adrian pressed the call button.

They walked toward the private elevator. Adrian pressed the call button, his hand steady, his mind already moving to the next steps.

The elevator chimed.The doors began to slide open.

Adrian glanced up casually,then froze.

Four familiar faces stared back at him from inside the elevator car. Mrs. Anderson stood closest to the door, her mouth hanging open in shock. Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Bennett were pressed against the back wall, their expressions frozen mid-conversation. And there, centered among them like a queen holding court, was Mrs. Stone.

For a fraction of a second, Adrian’s mind went completely blank. What are they doing here? In this building? 

His penthouse floor.

Mrs. Stone’s face cycled through emotions rapidly. First confusion…her brow furrowing as she tried to process why someone looking like the good for nothing Adrian would be standing in front of a penthouse elevator. 

Then recognition, her eyes widening as she fully registered who she was seeing. Then shock, her perfectly painted lips parting in disbelief.

“Adrian?” Her voice came out sharp, cutting through the silence. “What are you doing here?”

The question hung in the air, loaded with accusation and genuine bewilderment.

Adrian felt Sophia tense beside him. He could sense her anxiety rising, her discomfort at being caught in what was clearly about to become an ugly confrontation.

He kept his expression carefully neutral. “Mrs. Stone.”

It wasn’t an answer. It was barely an acknowledgement.

Mrs. Stone stepped out of the elevator, forcing her friends to shuffle awkwardly behind her. Her eyes darted past Adrian to Sophia, taking in the younger woman’s presence with a single dismissive glance. Then back to Adrian. Then to the penthouse door behind them, still slightly ajar.

“I asked you a question,” Mrs. Stone said, her voice rising with indignation. “What are you doing in this building? 

Mrs. Anderson leaned forward, whispering loudly enough for everyone to hear, “Isn’t this the penthouse level?”

Mrs. Parker’s eyes went wide with realization. “The one we came to see?”

Mrs. Bennett clutched her handbag tighter, her gaze darting between Adrian and the penthouse door with growing alarm.

Mrs. Stone’s confusion was giving way to suspicion, her face beginning to flush. “How did you even get up here? This is a private residential floor. You need access codes, security clearance…” She stopped, a new thought occurring to her. Her expression twisted with disgust. “Did you follow us? Are you spying on us?”

Adrian said nothing. He simply stood there, his silence somehow more unnerving than any response.

“Answer me!” Mrs. Stone’s voice echoed through the hallway. Her hands were shaking now, whether from rage or confusion. “You have no business being here! This floor, isn’t for people like you!”

Sophia shifted uncomfortably beside him, clearly wanting to somehow defuse the situation.

Adrian touched her arm gently, stopping her. Not yet.

Mrs. Stone took another step forward, her voice dropping to something cold and threatening. “If you’re here thinking you can cause problems, thinking you can embarrass Victoria or interfere with her new life, I suggest you turn around and leave. Right now. Before I call security.”

Behind her, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Parker, and Mrs. Bennett exchanged uncomfortable glances, clearly uncertain about what was happening but unwilling to contradict Mrs. Stone in front of what they still assumed was an interloper.

Adrian’s expression remained unreadable, his eyes meeting Mrs. Stone’s without flinching.

The tension stretched between them like a wire pulled taut, ready to snap.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​