After Fidelia stepped into the house, she was quite amazed at how clean and simple the place was, making it look classy. Not some fancy mansion filled with flashing lights, bathroom bulbs, and all that nonsense.
It was quiet, expensive, and Masculine. Then she turned and saw Adrian looking at her.
"I'm starving," Fidelia said, breaking the silence. "Do you have anything to eat? Or at least a glass of wine? I didn't exactly get to eat or drink much… Thanks to that guy ruining dinner with his proposal."
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you mean I'm supposed to serve you before we even start talking?"
She smirked. "Exactly."
"Fine," he said, shaking his head as if amused. "I can do wine."
He walked over to a small bar in the corner, grabbed a bottle, and poured. Then, he handed her one glass cup while keeping the other for himself.
Fidelia sipped slowly.
For a moment, they just looked at each other. Measuring.
Finally, Adrian spoke. "So… what was with the drama you created in the restaurant? What was that about?"
Fidelia swirled her glass lazily, her smirk never fading.
"Well," she said calmly, "let's just say… it's a revenge plan."
"So all this was for a petty revenge plan? Because he cheated on you, right?"
Hearing this, Fidelia frowned. "It's a lot more than that. I'm not just taking revenge on Silas. I'm taking revenge on my family, too."
Adrian leaned back, unfazed. "Okay. That's none of my concern. What I'm after is my money."
"I'll return it," Fidelia replied smoothly. "But on one condition — you marry me."
Adrian blinked, then let out a short laugh. "Marry you? Why the hell would I do that?"
Fidelia smirked. "Because it works for both of us. You need someone on the inside. I need power. It's simple math."
He narrowed his eyes. "There was a reason I chose your sister. She was perfect for what I needed — and she has a lot of assets. A lot of shares in the company. Shares that could help me along the line."
His gaze sharpened. "But you? You don't have much. I did my research. Your share is very little."
Adrian wasn't moved by what she'd said. He sipped his wine slowly, letting the silence stretch between them.
Fidelia, unfazed, leaned back and stretched her hand lazily before raising her cup.
"Maybe my shares are little," she began, her voice steady, "but I'm the perfect wife for you."
Adrian arched an eyebrow at that, but she continued before he could speak.
"And I'm not asking to be the lovely housewife," she said, her tone sharp. "I'm not sticking around to play love. I'm not in for all of that."
She leaned forward now, her words deliberate. "The type of marriage I want is a business partnership. I'll help you in your business. I'll help you take down your enemies. I'll help you in your fight with your brother — in winning the company, gaining higher shares."
Her eyes locked with his. "And all you have to do is marry me."
She tilted her head slightly, letting her smirk return. "Don't you see how well that works for you? You have literally nothing to lose. Also, you get your funds back with profit. And if you play nice… you'll get to be a billionaire."
He sipped his whiskey, silent for a moment. "Why should I trust you? I don't even know you. You could be some desperate Crawford brat playing pretend."
"...i have no reason to pretend and to be honest," Fidelia said, leaning back with a knowing smirk, "I did some digging too."
Adrian tilted his head, curious.
"I know the only one who has what I need. Andrew Richardson. The pope's son of the Richardson empire. The playboy. The one who recklessly spends money, buys houses like candy, and goes clubbing every other night."
She let out a soft chuckle. "But then… you also know how to move money. If you go into crypto, invest smartly, you'll double it. Gain profit. Get more shares. Stand a real chance at competing with your brothers."
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Oh...you know too much"
"Don't tell me this is the part where you kill me?"
"I wouldn't say it hasn't come into my mind,"
"See your face," Fidelia shot back with a sly grin.
"I make it my business to know who everyone is...especiallythose im interested in."
Adrian set his glass down. "Okay. Enough games. What exactly do you want with this marriage? What do you intend to achieve?"
"I told you already," Fidelia replied, her tone sharpening. "Revenge. Against Silas. Against my family. And to do that, I need a faster way. I need power. Influence. Wealth. Protection. And the only way I can get all that quickly—" she gestured between them "—is by marrying you."
She leaned in slightly. "We have a past to play with. So let's play together. So what do you think?"
Adrian was quiet for a moment, his eyes studying her. Then he said, "So, back to why you dragged me into this. Why me?"
Fidelia didn't hesitate. "Well, you know I'm engaged to your sister."
"I don't care."
"You saw me break off my engagement," she said simply. "I expect you to do the same."
Adrian chuckled dryly. "Bold."
"Necessary," she corrected.
He exhaled through his nose, considering. "Okay. Let's say I agree with this. What do you have in mind? What do you need?"
"Firstly," Fidelia said, setting her empty glass aside.
"I'll help you take down your enemies,"
"There's a man on my board. George Halden. He's been working against me for months. Find me leverage I can use against him, and we'll talk about… an arrangement."
"What arrangements ?"
"I'll agree to marry you. Then, we get the contract ready and proceed with the marriage."
"George Halden," Fidelia repeated, committing the name to memory. "Done."
Adrian smirked. "Just like that?"
"Just like that."
He leaned back in his seat, watching her closely.
"Fine. Impress me. Show me what you can do."
Fidelia smiles. "Challenge accepted"