Chapter 8 - The Viper’s Strike
The peace was short-lived.
Three days later, a high-society charity gala was held at the Los Angeles Museum of Art—an event hosted by the city’s elite, where Adrian was expected to deliver the keynote address as the primary donor.
Normally, Adrian would have attended alone, delivered his speech, and vanished within twenty minutes. But tonight was different.
The black limousine pulled up to the red carpet under a flashing barrage of paparazzi camera lights. The security detail cleared a path as Adrian stepped out, looking impossibly handsome in a black velvet tuxedo.
Then, he turned and extended his hand back into the vehicle.
Lila stepped out.
She wore an elegant, floor-length emerald green silk gown that draped over her graceful figure, her chestnut hair styled in soft, cascading waves over one shoulder. She looked regal, breathtaking, and entirely striking. Beside her, little Maya held Adrian’s hand, wearing a tiny matching white dress with a green velvet ribbon in her hair.
The red carpet erupted into utter chaos.
“MR. KOCH! IS THAT YOUR DAUGHTER?”“WHO IS THE WOMAN, ADRIAN?”“IS THIS THE SECRET HEIR OF THE KOCH EMPIRE?”
Adrian ignored the screaming reporters, keeping his arm firmly around Lila’s waist, guiding her and Maya safely into the grand marble hall of the museum.
"Are you okay?" Adrian whispered near Lila’s ear, his breath warm against her skin.
"I feel like I'm stepping into a lion's den," Lila admitted, her hand clutching his arm tightly.
"You have me," Adrian promised softly. "The lions should be afraid of you."
Inside the ballroom, the atmosphere was thick with intrigue, glittering jewels, and fake smiles. As Adrian led Lila through the crowd, introducing her to senators, diplomats, and international CEOs, one man watched them from the shadows near the balcony with a cold, poisonous rage.
Julian Vance.
Julian adjusted his cuff links, holding a glass of champagne, his eyes fixed on Lila and Maya.
When Adrian stepped away for five minutes to confer with the museum director near the stage, Julian seized his moment. He glided through the crowd, stepping smoothly into Lila’s path as she stood near the dessert display with Maya.
"Miss Collins," Julian said, his voice dripping with smooth, patronizing venom. "Or should I say, the lucky waitress of the century?"
Lila turned, her brown eyes cool and collected. She recognized him from the boardroom photo Adrian had shown her. "Mr. Vance."
"It really is quite a performance," Julian sneered softly, taking a sip of his drink. "A poor girl from West Hollywood, hiding a child for five years, waiting for the perfect moment to drop the trap and claim a share of a forty-billion-dollar fortune."
Lila didn't back away. She stood tall, her head held high. "I didn't ask for a dime from Adrian, Mr. Vance. And I certainly didn't trap him."
"Oh, please," Julian laughed quietly. "Do you really think a man like Adrian Koch could ever love a girl like you? You are a convenience, Miss Collins. A temporary distraction to secure his corporate reputation. Once the board settles down, he will pay you off, take the child, and discard you back to the gutter where you came from."
Maya looked up at Julian, her silver eyes flashing with sudden, sharp anger. "My mommy is not from the gutter! You're a mean man!"
Julian’s face darkened, and he took an aggressive step toward the four-year-old girl. "Shut your mouth, you little—"
CLACK.
A hand seized Julian’s shoulder with the force of an hydraulic vise, spinning him around violently.
Adrian stood there. His face was a mask of sheer, apocalyptic wrath. The room around them fell completely silent as guests realized the king of Wall Street was about to tear a man apart in public.
"Adrian—" Julian stammered, his face turning pale.
"You have thirty seconds to leave this building, Julian," Adrian said, his voice terrifyingly quiet, vibrating with absolute lethal intent. "If I see your face near my woman or my child ever again, I won't just ruin your legal career. I will destroy every single thing you have ever touched."
May you like
Julian swallowed hard, looking around at the hostile stares of the surrounding guests. Defeated and exposed, he turned on his heel and fled through the side exit into the night.
Adrian turned back to Lila, pulling her into his arms right in front of the entire Los Angeles high society, kissing her forehead deeply as the crowd burst into quiet, awe-struck murmurs.
