Chapter 4 My Prey - Evelyn Voss

Adrian's POV

No one ever stood in front of me without lowering their gaze, but Evelyn Voss chose to be different. That was her only mistake, and it sealed her fate. 

She was defiant and challenged me in a mall filled with people.  

Anyone would think she had nothing to lose, but just a few days after, her family’s business collapsed, leaving them with one option - beg to my feet. 

They weren't in a position to negotiate.  Only to comply. 

The rule was simple. They hand over their first daughter to me, and I save them from their misery. 

Invitations had been sent out for tomorrow night's banquet. I didn't need Evelyn's consent before preparing for the banquet. I knew I’d get it.

From the back seat of the car, I watched the CCTV footage of the house. Evelyn stood with the cook, silent and still. 

I scoffed. Pathetic.

“Don't you dare disrespect what's mine.” I cautioned the cook over the phone. “Prepare a room for her.”

The call ended, but after a while, I called again. “Hand her the dress on my bed.” 

She did that too without hesitation. 

Minutes earlier, I had stepped out of the house to get the marriage certificate. She signs, and we call this a finalized deal. 

My face locked onto the driver. “Drive faster,” I instructed. 

The drive took a few more minutes before the car halted in front of the mansion. 

Guards lined up in a single row, their faces dark and fixed on a spot, eyes refusing to blink. Their hands were placed behind them,  their ears waiting nothing but orders. 

One of the guards rushed over to the door, opening it. 

My shoes landed on the floor, and I walked inside, ignoring their greetings. I walked through the sitting room, my aura filling the silence of the room. 

I headed to Evelyn's room first before mine. Right now, she's a beauty caged in my empire. 

With no hesitation, I opened the door to her room and walked inside. My frame towered over her little, fragile body as I stood beside her bed. 

She was just where I wanted her.

Evelyn Voss was lying in bed with her eyes closed. 

A smirk curled up my lips as I recalled our first encounter back in the mall. 

~Two Weeks Ago~

The mall was filled with noise from people, carts getting wheeled around, and voices fading in the background. 

I stood in front of the counter, hands in my pockets. 

The store manager in front of me was shivering and trembling in fear, his gaze cast down. 

Every other staff member behind him had their hands placed on each other, their faces also bowed down. The manager was reckless, and the only thing that could calm me was shutting down the mall.

“Sir..” the Manager's voice rose, his face drained of color. “I've explained already, it's just a misunderstanding.” 

“There's a little problem with the accounts, we just need time to–” 

“You've had enough time,” I cut in, voice calm and icy. “But you wasted it.” 

He swallowed hard. “Please, sir. This mall has loyal customers. You can't just shut us down over some miscalculation of accounts.” 

I chuckled loudly, my face turning darker. “I can't?” I said, my voice dripping with so much amusement. 

“Oh, I can.” My voice rose loudly, grabbing the attention of onlookers and shoppers. “And I will.” 

“This isn't just some miscalculation. It's theft,” I emphasized with a frown. 

The manager looked around, getting scared and uncomfortable with the crowd that was starting to form. 

“Please, sir, let's not do this here,” The manager pleaded, his eyes darting around with fear and concern. 

I smirked. 

“That's enough!” A voice cut through the tension from the crowd, sharp and swift. 

I turned, my eyes landing on a petite girl holding shopping bags in her hands with a fierce gaze. 

I tilted my head and blinked once. She stepped forward, looking me straight in the eye. 

“You can't talk to him like that!” She snapped. “If something is going on, then you can handle it in private. You aren't supposed to humiliate him in public like this!” 

My guards tried shutting her, but I stopped them with a wave of my hand. My face twitched with amusement, a smirk appearing on my lips. 

Some guts this one has. I stayed quiet.

“And who the hell do you think you are?” She scoffed. “If you think you are that powerful, then act like it! Act with common sense!” 

I straightened my back, my face unchanging. “And you are?” 

She looked at me with a scornful look before she replied. “Evelyn. Evelyn Voss” 

I nodded, making sure to commit that into my memory before turning back to the manager. 

“By the end of the day, your contracts will be terminated. Get ready to watch the mall get closed,” I said calmly. 

“Wait, you can't…” Evelyn tried to cut in again. I turned to her, my darkened gaze making her shiver for a brief moment. 

Our eyes locked, but she didn't back down. She stared at me, gritting her teeth behind her lips, clutching her bags tighter. 

I looked away and stormed out of the mall.

Evelyn, with that single act, signed her life to me.

~Present Day~

I stared at her for a few more minutes before leaving the room, heading back to mine. 

While I walked in the hallways, I called Andrew, my attorney. 

“Inform the press. The banquet will be tomorrow night,” My voice dripped with coldness and I ended the call right after. 

Tomorrow, everything changes. Many believe I'm getting married for more power and wealth or just to take revenge on Evelyn.

But no one will ever find out what my true intentions are.