Richard did not in the least look shocked or afraid after Adrian's question. His composure was enough to prove that he had no idea what Adrian was talking about. He maintained eye contact and frowned.
“Listen, boy, I don't know what you think you're doing but I will not warn you the second time. This room..” he pointed to the door.
“It's for sentimental purposes and no one is allowed inside, especially not a stranger.” He added. Adrian scoffed and tucked his hands away in his pocket.
“What are you still doing here anyway?”
“I came to check on Scarlett,” Adrian replied. Richard was a little bit intimidating and he decided to just stay out of his way until he had something to place his hands on, like solid proof.
“You don't need to check on her, the maids here are capable of taking good care of her.” Richard fired.
“I'm working on Vivian's instructions, it's not like I don't have anything important to do.” Adrian clapped back. There was obvious resentment playing out right there. Neither of them liked each other and they didn't bother to try and hide it.
“Just don't go into this room again.” Richard snorted and walked away, heading in the direction of Scarlett's room. Adrian scoffed, believing that there was something off about the old man. He left, going to get his coffee, and remained downstairs.
He couldn't be in the same room with Richard so he decided to wait until he leaves before going back to be with Scarlett. He recalled the dream he had and it brought a little bit of relief to him. It took his mother appearing in his dream to make him realize what he actually wanted and it definitely wasn't revenge.
Richard got to Scarlett's room and placed a knock before making his way in. She was just waking up and was still sitting on the bed, scrolling through her phone.
“Someone looks better today!” Richard smiled broadly, going to sit with her. She lifted her eyes and smiled upon seeing him. She dropped her phone and hugged him before he settled down.
“Good morning uncle.”
“There's no need to ask how you are, you're obviously getting better.” He gently pressed down on her hair.
“Yes, I do feel better. Uh.. uncle, did you see Adrian?” She was wondering where he went and she was about to call him when her uncle walked in.
“Yes, he's downstairs,” Richard answered, trying to hide his dislike for him.
“Oh.. okay. So what brings you here?”
“To discuss the company handover of course. I have talked with the company's management and we've decided to hand the company over to you since you're already of age. So, the date has been fixed.” Richard explained and Scarlett's face lit up. She was excited, the company was finally going to be hers.
“That's great! When will it be then?”
“In the next two weeks, after the big conference coming up next week,” Richard confirmed.
“That's great. But I haven't received any information on the conference, why hasn't it been sent to me?” She demanded, taking her laptop to go through her emails in case she had accidentally missed it.
“Sorry about that dear, I'm afraid the email will be delayed because there's no one to sign and approve the documents.” Richard sighed.
“What do you mean? Isn't that Maxwell's job? Why hasn't he reviewed them?”
“Your mother fired him yesterday.”
Scarlett's eyes widened in disbelief, “My mother fired him? Why in the world would she do such a thing? And without my consent!”
She couldn't understand why her mother would do something like that, she couldn't help but feel that it had to do with her mother's carelessness.
“I'm yet to understand her reasons but I will have a word with her.”
“Can you invite Maxwell over to the office? Not now, maybe when I feel better. I'd love to have a talk with you concerning this.” She insisted and Richard nodded.
They talked about a few other things before Richard left. Adrian came back into the room and hugged Scarlett, asking her what Richard had come for. She explained everything to him and he asked her to be careful before they both went to take a shower together.
An hour later, Adrian had to leave the house and go back to the art gallery to tend to some issues. He was on his way when he got a call from Vivian. He really wasn't in the mood to talk to her but he answered the call anyway.
“Hi, Vivian.” His voice was cold.
“Hey, baby! Are you busy today?” Her cheerful voice came. Adrian knew exactly what she wanted, she only sounded like that when she needed a dick to fuck.
“Why?” He asked knowingly.
“I want you to meet me outside town, so we can have a good time together. Are you in?”
“No Vivian, I am not interested in meeting up with you for sex. Can't you think of anything other than sex? I'm pretty sure that's the important work you want to do out of town!” He was bitter and pained, angry at himself for spending all his time planning revenge on such a careless woman.
“Adrian!” Vivian was shocked.
“How dare you speak to me that way!?”
“I'm driving, goodbye.” He abruptly ended the call and tossed his phone on the passenger seat. She called back many more times but he ignored her until he got to the gallery.
After he finished his work for the day, he decided to call his aunt. He was troubled, wondering what her reaction would be but he had thought it over and decided that he was going to do whatever makes him happy.
“Hi, Aunt Carrie.” He spoke into the phone.
“Adrian my darling, how are you?” She was excited to speak to him.
“Tell me, how is everything going? Any progress yet? I heard about your engagement, when are you going to strike?” She couldn't wait to know. Adrian's eyes dropped, and his hand clung anxiously to the phone, suddenly becoming tongue-tied.
“That's actually what I wanted to talk about. I'm sorry but— I don't think… I don't want to continue with revenge.” He bit his lip, waiting for her response. She was silent for a couple of seconds and it made him wonder if she heard what he said.
“Did you hear me, aunt?” He inquired.
“Yes I heard you, I'm just trying to figure out if you're still in your right senses. Why would you say something like that?” She was upset.
“I'm sorry aunt, I really am. But I don't see the need to continue. I mean, it isn't going to bring Mom back, and I might be risking my life too.” He explained but she wasn't going to listen to anything he had to say. She was just plain disappointed.
“I'm very disappointed in you Adrian! You've let me down and most importantly, you've let your mother down!” She ended the call immediately and he sighed deeply.
“I'll take care of her later.” He muttered to himself, falling back into his chair.
~~~~~
Richard was sipping wine in his living room, thinking about Adrian. He couldn't help but bother and try to figure out what he had gone to do in that room. What exactly was he snooping around for?
Suddenly, his phone rang and it was Detective Roberts. He answered it quickly, hoping that it was good news.
“Speak.”
“Well, I found information about Adrian like you requested, and boy! It's dirtier than you think!” The detective exclaimed.
Richard grinned.