Chapter 15 She rebelled against the first army
The sea fog in the morning has not dissipated yet, and the villa is like a boat moored between reality and danger.
Elena stood in the kitchen, holding the coffee cup with her fingers, but did not drink. Her eyes are calmer than usual, and even a little strange sharp.
Victor's appearance last night did not break her down as she imagined, but made her realize something--
She can not only be competed for, she can also become a variable.
When Adrian came in, he noticed the difference at first sight.
"You are different today." He said.
Elena didn't look back: "What's the difference?"
"You didn't avoid me." He approached her in a low tone.
She finally turned around and looked at him, with the corners of her lips slightly raised: "Because I found that hiding from you can't make me more free."
Adrian's eyes were slightly sluggish.
This was the first time she looked straight at him without fear or defense.
"So what do you want to do now?" He asked.
Elena put down the coffee cup and said in a steady voice: "I want to participate."
Adrian squinted his eyes: "What are you involved in?"
"Your world." She looked at him, "Not as your accessory, but as your real collaborator."
The air suddenly became tense.
Adrian was silent for a few seconds, and then smiled. The smile was not gentle, but full of dangerous interest.
"Do you know what you are talking about?"
"I know." She approached him step by step, "You control me because you think I'm fragile. But what if I'm not vulnerable?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately for the first time.
At that moment, he realized--
She began to fight back.
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Chapter 16 The First Lesson of Power
On the same day, Adrian took her into the real core meeting of Black Corporation.
Sitting in the conference room is not an ordinary executive, but the core figure who can influence the market and the government and business. The moment Elena came in, all eyes fell on her.
Some people are contemptuous, some people are curious, and some people don't hide their disdain.
She knew clearly that in their eyes, she was just "Adrian Black's new plaything".
She didn't back down.
Adrian sat in the main seat in a calm tone: "From today on, Elena will participate in project decision-making."
The conference room became quiet for a moment.
Someone laughed in a low voice.
"Black," an older director said, "Are you sure?"
Adrian didn't look at him, but looked at Elena: "You answer."
Elena's heart beat faster, but she didn't hesitate.
She stood up and went straight to the projection to switch files.
"I have re-analyzed the legal risks of mergers and acquisitions." Her voice was not high, but it was extremely clear. "You ignored three key clauses. Once triggered, it will lead to an irreversible regulatory freeze."
She continued to talk one by one, without flattering or hesitation.
The conference room gradually became quiet.
Finally, the director was silent for a long time before he said, "Go on."
Adrian leaned on the back of the chair and looked at her. For the first time, his eyes were not possessive, but examined and recognized.
After the meeting, he stopped her.
"You are very dangerous today." He said.
Elena looked up and said, "Are you afraid that I will become too valuable?"
He smiled in a low voice: "No, I'm afraid I'm starting to respect you."
Her heart was shaken.
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Chapter 17 Victor's True Purpose
That night, Elena received an encrypted message.
There is only one sentence:
"Do you think I just want you?"
Her heart suddenly sank.
The next day, she was arranged to "meet" Victor.
This time, not at a banquet or in the company, but in a private gallery.
Victor stood in front of a huge abstract painting, as if he had been waiting for her for a long time.
"You finally started to stand on the table." He said.
Elena said coldly: "You have been spying on me."
Victor did not deny: "Because you are the only one who can shake Adrian's judgment."
She looked at him and said, "So you want to take advantage of me?"
Victor turned around with burning eyes but calm: "No, I want to pull you to my side."
"Why?"
Victor's smile disappeared: "Because I and he never fight for women."
Elena was stunned.
Victor took a step closer and said in a low voice: "Black Corporation is about to enter a critical stage. If he wins, he will have a monopoly. If he loses, I will take over.
She finally understood.
She is not a bait, she is the key.
"Do you want me to betray him?" She asked.
Victor looked at her in a rare and serious tone: "I want you to choose once for yourself."
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Chapter 18 Emotional Imbalance
That night, Elena returned to the villa and didn't tell Adrian anything immediately.
Adrian noticed it.
"You have met Victor." He said that it was not a question.
Elena did not deny: "Yes."
The air suddenly became cold.
"What did he say?"
"He said, I can choose."
Adrian's eyes instantly became dangerous: "Are you wavering?"
Elena looked up at him and did not retreat for the first time: "What are you afraid of? Are you afraid that I will no longer belong to you alone?"
Adrian fell silent.
He realized something he didn't want to admit--
She is no longer just the object of his control. She is becoming the possibility that he will lose.
He whispered, "You stay with me, it's not because I forced you."
Elena responded softly, "Then can you let me be truly free once?"
At that moment, he didn't answer.
This is the first real rift between them.
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Chapter 19 48 hours of her disappearance
On the third day, Elena disappeared.
The mobile phone was shut off, and the whereabouts were completely cut off.
Adrian's world got out of control for the first time.
He used all his resources, but he couldn't find her within 48 hours.
He began to realize a cruel fact:
He has never really had her.
At the same time, Elena was sitting in a hotel in another city, with a completely strange night view outside the window.
Victor sat opposite her.
"You really dare to go." He said.
Elena looked out of the window: "I'm not leaving for you."
"What is that for?"
She whispered, "In order to see who I am when there is no Alpha."
Victor was silent.
This is his first time, and he doesn't feel like victory.
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Chapter 20 The New Balance
48 hours later, Elena came back.
She took the initiative to walk into Adrian's office.
Adrian stood in front of the window and didn't look back.
"You won." He said.
Elena shook her head: "No one wins."
She walked to him in a calm but firm tone: "I won't be your prisoner or Victor's pawn."
"Then what do you want to be?" He asked.
She looked at him and said, "The person who stands side by side with you."
Long silence.
Finally, Adrian said slowly, "Do you know what it means?"
"It means that I can leave at any time." She said, "It also means that if I stay, it is my choice."
He turned to look at her with complicated and deep eyes.
At this moment, he finally realized--
What really sinks people is not control, but uncontrollable love.