Elena was cleaning the east wing when a commotion started at the gate.
The loud voice of the security guard echoed through the marble halls:
"Sir… there's a man here asking for Elena Moore!"
Her hands froze on the duster.
No… it can't be him.
Her chest tightened, heart pounding. She hadn't expected him to find her so quickly. Not here, not in this house.
She turned slowly and looked at Mrs. Carter, who had appeared behind her.
"Elena," Mrs. Carter said in a low voice, "stay calm. I'll handle this."
"No," Elena said, shaking her head. "I have to… I can't let him see you handle it. He'll know I'm hiding."
Mrs. Carter hesitated. "You're reckless."
"I have no choice."
Elena walked toward the front gate, her hands trembling. She kept her head down, tried to make herself invisible.
The man waiting outside was tall, broad-shouldered, and his presence alone made the air heavy.
Victor Hale.
Her eyes widened. She recognized him immediately.
"Hello, Elena," he said smoothly, his voice chilling. "Long time no see."
Elena froze. Every warning, every nightmare from the past flashed through her mind.
"Please… go away," she whispered.
Victor smirked. "We have unfinished business, Elena. You can't run forever."
Meanwhile, Adrian had been pacing in his study. He had overheard the security guard's call. Something inside told him this was serious.
He ran toward the gate.
"Elena!" he shouted as he approached.
She turned, almost crying, and tried to block Victor from seeing her.
Victor stepped forward, his smile confident. "And who's this? Your protector?"
Adrian's jaw tightened. "Step back. Now."
Victor laughed, a low, dangerous sound. "Ah… the famous Adrian Blackwood. I've heard about you. Careful. You're getting involved in things you don't understand."
"I understand enough," Adrian said, his voice cold. "Leave, or I call the police."
Victor's expression didn't change. "Police? This is personal. Elena owes me. She can't run from that debt."
Elena's hands were shaking violently. "I told you, it's over! Don't… don't come near me!"
Victor's eyes narrowed. "You think you can hide behind a rich man's mansion? You're still mine to deal with."
Adrian stepped forward. "No. She is under my protection now. If you come any closer, you will regret it."
Victor's smirk didn't fade. "We'll see about that. Enjoy your little castle, Adrian. Because soon, it will be… very uncomfortable."
Before anyone could react, Victor stepped back and signaled to his car. The black vehicle's engine roared to life.
Elena's knees nearly gave out.
He was leaving. For now.
Back inside, Adrian slammed the gate shut and locked it.
Elena was trembling, tears sliding down her cheeks.
"I… I can't stay here," she whispered.
"Yes, you can," Adrian said firmly. "He won't get to you while I'm here."
Elena shook her head. "You don't understand. He's… dangerous. He won't stop until he gets me."
"I understand more than you think," Adrian replied. His voice was hard, but there was something beneath it—a rare intensity she hadn't seen before.
She looked at him, fear mixed with something else. A strange… trust.
He continued, "No one threatens anyone under my roof. Not you. Not my staff. Not anyone."
Elena felt a small glimmer of relief, but it didn't last.
"I… I can't bring this trouble here," she said.
"You already did," Adrian replied. "Now you let me handle it."
That night, Elena couldn't sleep. She lay in her small room, staring at the ceiling. Every sound outside made her flinch.
She heard footsteps in the hallway. She held her breath, afraid it was Victor returning.
It wasn't.
Adrian appeared at her door.
"May I come in?" he asked.
Elena hesitated but stepped aside.
He sat on the small chair near her bed. His presence was commanding, but not intimidating. Not exactly.
"I need to know everything," Adrian said. "Why he's after you, what he wants, and why you left your last job without notice."
Elena's hands shook. "I… I can't tell you. Not everything."
"Then I'll find out," Adrian said. "But it's better if I hear it from you first."
She looked at him, panic and despair in her eyes.
"Why… why are you helping me?" she whispered.
"Because I don't allow threats under my roof," he said simply.
Elena's chest tightened. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to feel safe. But deep down, she knew this wasn't over.
Hours later, just as she was drifting into an uneasy sleep, a soft knock came at her door.
She froze.
"Elena… it's Adrian," a familiar voice said.
She let out a shaky breath and opened the door a crack.
"Sir?"
"I've arranged extra security around the house," Adrian said. "No one gets in or out without my knowledge. You're not leaving. Not tonight. Not ever again while he's around."
Elena's heart pounded. "You don't understand… he'll find a way."
"Then we'll deal with it," Adrian said firmly.
Her gaze dropped. She didn't fully trust him—not yet—but the fear had finally softened slightly.
The next morning, news of the visitor had already spread among the staff. Whispers filled the halls:
"Did you see him? That man at the gate?"
"I heard he's dangerous…"
"Sir is taking care of it, but she looked terrified."
Elena moved quietly through the halls, pretending not to hear. Every sound reminded her that the threat hadn't disappeared.
She looked up from her chores and caught Adrian watching her from across the hall.
He didn't speak. Just watched.
Her stomach tightened. Something told her he was already making plans.
And that plan… would change everything.