my return will be your downfall

THE PRICE OF LOYALTY

" Are you praising me or you are mocking me??"

Adrian thought within because he did not know whether Harrison meant the statement as praise or a warning, so he simply nodded.

"I'll do my best, sir."

Harrison returned to his documents.

"That's all for now. My assistant will contact you when the arrangements are finalised."

Adrian thanked him and left the office.

As he walked down the corridor, he felt a renewed sense of hope.

The extra assignments could provide the additional income he needed. If he managed his money carefully, he might be able to save enough to buy Vanessa the handbag she wanted.

Perhaps that would reassure her that he was not simply making empty promises.

He knew an expensive bag could not fix every problem in their relationship, but it would be a start.

At least, that was what he believed.

---

At approximately four o'clock, Adrian received a call from Harrison's assistant.

"The boss needs the car," the man informed him. "He has a meeting across town."

"I'm coming."

Adrian collected the keys and headed toward the parking area.

Harrison emerged a few minutes later, his assistant was carrying his briefcase.

"Let's go," he said.

Adrian opened the rear door before returning to the driver's seat.

Once they were on the road, Harrison began making phone calls. He discussed business agreements, upcoming meetings, and a property acquisition that appeared to be giving him considerable trouble.

Adrian listened without deliberately trying to overhear the conversations.

He had learned that wealthy people often dealt with problems that ordinary people could hardly imagine. Their problems involved contracts, investments, competition, and enormous sums of money.

Still, Adrian sometimes wondered whether having that kind of wealth would make life easier.

He imagined being able to pay his bills without anxiety, buy a house for himself, and support the people he loved.

He imagined a future in which he would never have to explain why he could not afford something as simple as a handbag.

The thought stayed with him until Harrison spoke.

"Take the next turning."

Adrian immediately focused on the road.

"Yes, sir."

They continued toward the business district, where glass office towers rose above the surrounding buildings.

When they reached their destination, Adrian parked outside a large commercial complex.

Harrison checked his watch.

"I may be here for two hours. Stay nearby."

"Certainly, sir."

Harrison stepped out and entered the building.

Adrian remained in the vehicle.

He leaned back against the seat and exhaled slowly.

Two hours.

He could use the time to rest, but he also wanted to check whether Vanessa had replied to his earlier message.

He took out his phone.

There was a new notification.

It was not from Vanessa.

It was a message from his younger brother, Daniel.

Daniel: Bro, how are you doing? Mum asked me to remind you about the money for the electricity bill.

Adrian closed his eyes briefly.

He had completely forgotten about the bill.

Their mother lived in a modest house outside the city, and Adrian occasionally helped with household expenses whenever he could afford it.

He typed a reply.

Adrian: I'm fine. Tell Mum I'll send something as soon as I can. I'm working on it.

Daniel replied almost immediately.

Daniel: Okay, bro. Take care of yourself.

Adrian put his phone down.

He had hoped to save most of his next salary, but now he had another expense to consider.

He was not angry with his family. They were struggling too, and he understood that every household had responsibilities.

Nevertheless, he wished he could do more for them.

He wanted to be the person his family could depend on without having to calculate whether he had enough money left afterward.

For a moment, he wondered whether he was trying to carry too many responsibilities at once.

Then he shook his head.

He would find a way.

He always did.

---

venessa pov

Across the city, Vanessa sat in front of a large mirror in her bedroom.

Her phone lay on the dressing table beside several cosmetic products.

She had spent much of the afternoon thinking about her conversation with Adrian. Although she had told herself she would not let their disagreement affect her, she had found it difficult to concentrate on anything else.

She picked up her phone and opened their conversation.

His morning message was still there.

She read it again, then locked the screen.

A knock sounded at the bedroom door.

"Vanessa?" her friend Patricia called. "Are you ready?"

"Almost!"

Patricia entered without waiting for an answer.

She was dressed in a fashionable black outfit, and a designer handbag hung from her shoulder.

Vanessa glanced at it.

"Is that the new one?"

Patricia smiled and turned slightly so that she could see it properly.

"Yes. My boyfriend surprised me with it this afternoon."

Vanessa's expression changed.

"Today?"

"Yes! He said he wanted to make me happy."

Patricia placed the bag on the dressing table and examined herself in the mirror.

"I told you he was planning something, didn't I?"

Vanessa forced a smile.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you, darling."

Patricia turned toward her.

"Anyway, are you coming with me or not? We can't spend the whole evening inside."

"Where are we going?"

"There's a private dinner at the Sterling Hotel. My boyfriend has an invitation, and he said I could bring a friend."

Vanessa raised her eyebrows.

"The Sterling Hotel?"

"Yes."

"Isn't that one of the places owned by the Sterling family?"

Patricia nodded.

"Exactly. It's a beautiful place, and some very important people will be there."

Vanessa considered the invitation.

She had heard enough about the Sterling family to know that their social gatherings attracted wealthy businessmen, influential families, and people who moved in circles far beyond her own.

The opportunity interested her.

"What should I wear?" she asked.

Patricia grinned.

"Now you're talking!"

She walked to the wardrobe and began examining Vanessa's clothes.

"eew this place stinks like poverty, how are you able to live here."

Patricia said mockingly.

venessa looked at her, her eyes full of embarrassment and furry