The Florist's Dominance

Chapter 10

Adrian turned to see Elysia, wearing an elegant, shimmering black dress, standing behind him. He answered casually, "This is a restaurant. Of course, I'm here to eat."

Elysia sighed in annoyance. This wasn't the time to argue. In a low, urgent voice, she said, "Ad, we're over. You don't need to prove anything anymore. Your presence here won't change anything about our relationship!"

Elysia's eyebrows arched upwards, then she continued in a tone that sounded understanding. "Just save your money for things that are more useful for you!"

Adrian frowned. "You think I'm here because of you?" The man laughed bitterly.

Elysia sighed softly. "Then what else? I know you must be really angry with me right now! You must want to show me that you're capable enough to pay for a meal here!"

Elysia raised both hands. "Stop this foolish drama! It's not efficient! You'd be better off just saving your money!"

Adrian shook his head. "You're overconfident, Elys."

Elysia sighed in frustration. She didn't care about Adrian's words. In her mind right now, her ex had to leave the Golden Queen quickly before any of her family members saw him and things got worse.

Hastily, Elysia pulled out three hundred dollars from her wallet and handed it towards Adrian. "Take this for the ride and to get food somewhere else!"

Adrian looked into Elysia's grey eyes, then at the hundred thousand, then back at her eyes. "You never change, Elys." Then he asserted, "I already told you I'm not here for you."

And unfortunately, the thing Elysia feared happened immediately. A man in his thirties, wearing a cream-colored suit and glasses, spotted Elysia and Adrian in front of the reception desk.

"Elysia, what are you doing?"

Maverick Harris's gaze next landed on Adrian. "You broke up with this clown, didn't you? Why is he here?"

Elysia turned nervously towards her older brother. "I-It's not what you think."

"Elysia, you graduated cum laude. You're a VIT finalist. You'll be in The Olympus Index. Every decision you make reflects on the family!" He pointed his chin at Adrian. "This was the biggest mistake of your life!"

Maverick glared sharply at Adrian. "Stay away from her! You're broken up. There's no point in you being here!"

However, Adrian answered indifferently, "You're all mistaken. I didn't come here for Elys."

Maverick laughed cynically. "Mistaken?"

Maverick's eyes scanned Adrian from head to toe. "You think this place is the same as a cheap diner? You can't even afford a simple meal here!"

The voice of the Harris family's eldest son this time grew colder and sharper. "What else is your purpose here if not stalking Elysia?"

Elysia turned toward Adrian with a look that was hard to understand. Her voice this time was much softer, not as sharp as on campus this afternoon. "Ad, I forgive you for tonight. I'll pretend we never met here."

However, Elysia's softened voice actually made Adrian even more disgusted. "Come on, Ad, I'll walk you to the exit."

Maverick grabbed Elysia's arm. "Elysia, enough! Don't approach that guy again!"

The sound of a woman's heels was heard approaching. A middle-aged woman with shoulder-length wavy hair stood beside Maverick. "Elysia, why is it taking so long? Have you confirmed the table yet?"

Elysia shook her head. "Not yet, Mom."

Mirren Harris's gaze was directed at Adrian. "Is he the problem?"

Elysia's mother's arms folded across her chest. "Wasn't Elysia's statement on campus clear enough? Leave here immediately or I'll call security!"

Adrian sighed irritably. "I didn't—"

Elysia's mother spoke again, "No need for many excuses! Don't embarrass yourself! This isn't campus!"

Annoyed, Adrian emphasized, "I came here invited by Everett Bradly! Not for Elysia!"

Adrian's confession shocked the three people surrounding him.

But then Maverick sneered disgustedly after hearing Adrian mention the name of the Golden Queen restaurant owner. "Don't carelessly mention people's names! Unless you like being dragged out by security!"

Mirren Harris laughed briefly. "Everett Bradly invited you? What story is this now? Is this some kind of charity dinner?"

Maverick and Mirren laughed until their shoulders shook. At the same time, a middle-aged man with slicked-back black hair in a brown suit approached. "Why are you all gathered here? Are we having dinner or not?"

Julius Harris stopped beside his wife. His sharp eyes immediately understood the situation. He saw Maverick and his wife laughing, Elysia looking anxious, and Adrian standing calmly among them.

"Is there a problem?"

Mirren answered without turning, "He doesn't know his place. Already asked to leave nicely, he still dares to stalk Elysia all the way here."

Maverick added, "And he claims to be invited by Everett Bradly. How outrageous!"

Julius observed Adrian more carefully. He didn't react immediately, but asked, "Is it true you were invited by Everett Bradly?"

Adrian nodded, "Yes."

Julius frowned slightly. "Do you have proof? A message, invitation card?"

However, before Adrian could answer, Elysia interrupted. "Dad, he's just lying. Just let it go. Don't make it more noisy. I'll take him home!"

Elysia was about to reach for Adrian's arm, inviting him to leave the reception desk. "Come on, Ad—"

But Adrian dodged. "I'm not going anywhere. I have an appointment with Everett Bradly!"

Adrian's statement only made the people around him more annoyed. Mirren Harris said angrily, "Enough, that's enough! Don't waste our time! Security!"

One of the waiters who had been watching the commotion immediately gave a signal. Two security men in uniform with large builds came approaching.

Maverick explained, "This person is disturbing and claiming to be Mr. Everett Bradly's invited guest. Get him out!"

The two security guards observed Adrian's appearance which looked ordinary. Without asking anything, one of the security guards said firmly, "Sorry, sir. Please come with us."

Adrian didn't move. "I said, I was invited by Everett Bradly. I've been trying to call him, but you all keep interrupting!"

Mirren laughed again. "What? Call Everett Bradly? You think we'll believe that? This is the most luxurious restaurant in Vecredal, not a food truck!"

Elysia tried to mediate, "Ad, please don't make problems here—"

Julius Harris cut in firmly, "Enough, Elysia. He's been given a chance. If it's true he was invited, let him confirm with Everett. But if he's lying?" He stared at Adrian. "Then he bears the consequences himself."