Page 16 of Cruel Hero

As the initial surge of adrenaline wears off, a cold fear seeps into my bones.

I am hopelessly out of my depth; I will never be able to deliver on the promises made by my uncle.

At that moment, only one name comes to mind—the only person who could save me.

Adrien.

Chapter 9

Tiffany

Igrip the steering wheel and consider my options.

To fully comprehend the current situation, I’ll have to sort through all of Dean’s scattered paperwork and notes littered around my living room. Unfortunately, that could take an immense amount of time—a luxury I can’t afford right now.

And Adrien… he is most likely still in the city.

The thought of seeking comfort and aid from him after everything that has happened between us causes me to consider seeing a therapist. It’s clear that I need someone to bring me back to reality.

But he knows far more about my uncle’s business than I do—he’s been involved in it for years, after all.

All of this is just a pretext to see him again. I want him. I miss him. I’m delusional enough to believe that he can fix everything, that he’ll swoop in and save me like some kind of dark knight.

There’s no hope for me in getting over him, so I might as well embrace the chaos.

My heart overrules my head, as it always does when it comes to Adrien, and with a shaky breath, I search for the address of Leroy Holdings office, which happens to only be a short fifteen-minute drive away.

After a last glance at my phone to confirm the location, I fumble with the keys, struggling to start the car. My hands tremble, and it takes three tries before the engine finally roars to life.

The streets blur past as I weave through traffic, my foot heavy on the accelerator. Every red light feels like an eternity, every slow driver an obstacle in my path. My eyes dart constantly to the rearview mirror, half-expecting to see someone following me.

“Come on, come on,” I urge the cars in front of me, my fingers tapping an anxious rhythm on the steering wheel.

What if he’s not there? What if he’s left the country?I give a voice to one of my many fears.What if he refuses to see me?

Finally, I spot the sleek, modern façade of the Leroy Holding building towering over the bustling city. The glass exterior reflects the bustling cityscape, while the sharp edges and clean lines make you feel like a speck in the grand scheme of things.

I pull into the parking lot, maneuvering my car into an empty space. I kill the engine and close my eyes, trying to center myself.

In, out. In, out.

My heartbeat slows a fraction, but the urgency still thrums through my veins. With one last steadying breath, I open my eyes and reach for the door handle.

The cool air hits me as I step out of the car. I smooth down my clothes, aware of how disheveled I must look after the frantic drive. But there’s no time to worry about appearances now.

As I approach the building’s entrance, my reflection in the glass doors catches my eye. I don’t recognize the woman staring back at me—her eyes wide with fear and determination, her posture tense and ready for action. I have blood on the side of my face from where my head slammed against the steering wheel.

It’s not the best look, but I can’t afford to waste time getting cleaned up. It’ll have to do.

I push through the doors, entering the lobby. It’s a familiar sight—polished marble floors, sleek furniture, and a sea of serious faces. The lobby is bustling with activity, but I barely register the other people as I make a beeline for the administrator’s desk. An elegant woman in a sharp business suit greets me with a well-polished smile and a disapproving expression. “Good morning, miss. May I help you?”

“Yes, please.” I take a deep breath to steady my voice. “I’m here to see Mr. Leroy. Urgent matter.”

The administrator’s eyebrows raise at my request. “Do you have an appointment, Miss...?”

He hasn’t left yet.

“Tiffany,” I supply. “And no, I don’t have an appointment, but please—it’s urgent.”

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