Page 17 of Cruel Hero

The woman looks at my stained blouse and bloody face. Her expression softens, but she shakes her head. “I’m sorry, Miss Tiffany, but I’m afraid I can’t reach Mr. Leroy at the moment. He’s in an important meeting and has requested not to be disturbed.”

My heart sinks, but I refuse to give up. I lean in closer and say, “Please, you don’t understand. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t critical.”

“I’m sorry, miss, but without more information or proper clearance, I can’t interrupt Mr. Leroy’s schedule.”

“There has to be something you can do.”

The administrator studies me for a moment, her brow furrowed. The internal struggle plays out on her face. At last, she sighs and nods. “I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try to reach Mr. Leroy’s assistant. Perhaps she can help.”

“Thank you,” I breathe, stepping back from the desk to give her some privacy.

“Yes, this is Sandra from the front desk,” the administrator says. “I have a young woman here, Tiffany, insisting on speaking with Mr. Leroy. She says it’s urgent—a matter of life and death.”

I stop pacing and turn to face her, straining to hear the other side of the conversation. My palms are sweaty, and I wipe them on my dress.

“I understand,” she continues. “Yes, I’ll let her know. Thank you.”

My eyes snap open, searching her face for any clue about the outcome. The seconds stretch into an eternity as I wait for her to finish the call, my heart pounding in my ears.

The administrator sets down the phone. “I’ve spoken with Mr. Leroy’s assistant. She understands the urgency of your request.”

I grip the edge of her desk. “And? Will he see me?”

She extends the phone towards me. “She would like to speak with you.”

My hand trembles as I take the phone. This is it. My chance to make Adrien understand, to get the help I so desperately need.

I bring the receiver to my ear. “Hello?”

“This is Diane, Mr. Leroy’s executive assistant,” a crisp, professional voice responds over the phone. Her voice is sweet with a slight foreign accent, but I recognize the sharpness underneath. I’m sure that she’s tough as nails. Any woman working with Adrien has to be. “I understand you have an urgent matter to discuss with Mr. Leroy. Can you provide me with more details about the nature of your request?”

“I need to discuss urgent business with Mr. Leroy.”

“I’m sorry, but Mr. Leroy has strict guidelines for visitors, and he’s currently in a meeting. Is there anything else I can assist you with?”

“I... I can’t explain everything over the phone, but please, I need to speak with Adrien in person. It’s urgent and could have serious consequences for a lot of people, including him.”

Diane’s silence on the other end of the line is deafening. I can almost hear the gears turning in her head as she weighs my vague explanation against the urgency in my voice.

“Miss Tiffany...?” she prompts.

“Carter. Tiffany Carter.”

There’s a sharp intake of breath, and I wonder if my name means something to her. Does Adrien talk about me?

“Miss Carter,” Diane says, her tone softening. “Mr. Leroy’s schedule is extremely tight, but given the circumstances... I’ll see what I can do.”

My heart leaps. “Thank you, Diane. I really appreciate it.”

“Please wait a moment,” she says, and I hear the muffled sounds of her speaking to someone else.

I drum my fingers on the desk, aware of the administrator’s curious glances. The seconds tick by like hours.

With a deep breath, I prepare myself for a potentially long wait.

Chapter 10

Adrien

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