Chapter 2 The price

Alessia's Pov

The room froze.

All eyes shifted to the man who had just walked in. He was tall, with broad shoulders, dressed in a dark suit. Calm. Every movement measured and deliberate.

He didn't rush. He didn't flinch. He simply moved toward the center of the hall, past rows of staring guests, until he stopped near the stage.

Julian Mercer's frown deepened. "Excuse me," he said, voice tight. "This is a private auction. You have no business here unless you have an invitation."

"I don't need an invitation," he said nonchalantly, not even bothering to look back at Julian.

"I said," he repeated to the auctioneer, his voice smooth like velvet, "this auction is over."

The auctioneer blinked. "Sir, I'm afraid that's not possible. We are in the middle of-"

"Then make it possible. I've settled the debts of Romano Industries."

A murmur spread through the hall.

"The outstanding loans have been paid," he continued calmly. "Every creditor has been compensated. The assets currently being auctioned will be returned to the Romano family."

Gasps broke through the crowd.

"And the company," he finished, "now belongs to me."

Silence.

Julian stared at him for a moment before letting out a laugh, breaking the silence.

It was loud and mocking, meant to humiliate.

"You expect us to believe that?" he scoffed. "Some random man walks in and suddenly claims he bought Romano Industries?"

He gestured lazily toward me, still laying helplessly on the floor.

"Let me guess. You're here to play hero for my ex-wife, her knight in shining armor." He sneered.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms, fury overriding my embarrassment and helplessness.

I let out a loud scoff as I got off the floor. The attention of the room rediverted to me instantly, eager to hear what I had to say.

"You act like you have some special place here when you don't."

"Oh, now your prince charming is here you have a backbone," Julian smirked at me.

He enjoyed toying with me in front of all these people.

Marissa walked up to me with a look of fake sympathy. Her red lips formed a pout as she grabbed my arm lightly, her nails digging into my skin drawing a faint line of blood as I winced.

"Alessia, Julian still cares about you even after everything you did," she said loud enough for everyone to hear. "You don't need to hire an actor just to save face. Just apologize and he'll forgive you."

"Let go of me," I said harshly, pushing her away. She staggered back before Julian caught her in his arms.

The mystery man simply lifted an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.

Julian glared at me. "Honestly, this is pathetic. Do you even know what kind of money it takes to-"

The doors behind them burst open again, interrupting him a second time.

A young woman hurried inside, heels clicking quickly across the floor as she made her way toward him, clutching a tablet and a folder thick with documents.

"Sir," she said, slightly breathless, "the transfers are complete. All funds have been wired, and the acquisition contracts have been finalized."

The room held its breath.

Julian scoffed again. "Oh please. Do you really expect anyone here to take this seriously?"

The woman turned slowly toward him.

"And who are you?" she asked impatiently.

He rolled his eyes as he adjusted his suit jacket. "Julian Mercer," he said with pride.

Her expression was unimpressed.

Then she gave a small, incredulous laugh.

"Mr. Mercer," she said, her voice carrying easily across the silent hall, "if you're going to insult someone, you should at least know who you're talking to."

Julian's smirk faltered.

She gestured casually toward the man beside her.

"This is Adrian Virelli."

The whispers died instantly.

Even the air seemed to grow heavier.

Julian's face drained of color.

Because everyone in that room knew exactly who Adrian Virelli was.

One of the most powerful men in the country.

A man whose companies swallowed corporations twice the size of Romano Industries before breakfast.

Julian had been after a partnership with them for years but had been rejected countless times.

Julian swallowed hard.

"Mr. Virelli," he said quickly, his tone shifting from arrogance to forced politeness in the span of a second. "I... didn't realize it was you. If there's been some kind of misunderstanding-"

Adrian didn't listen.

His attention had already shifted to me, shivering in the strapless white gown Marissa had doused in wine. My palm was raw from scraping the floor. My dignity scattered across the room for everyone to stare at.

For a moment, he simply looked at me, I shuddered under his gaze.

Then he removed his suit jacket.

The movement was smooth and effortless.

He stepped closer and draped it over my shoulders, the dark fabric hiding the stains and the humiliation.

A wave of whispers surged through the guests.

"Why is Adrian Virelli helping her?"

"Does he know the Romano family?"

"Are they dating?"

Julian clenched his jaw hard.

I barely heard them.

My mind was still struggling to process what had just happened as I slowly turned my head toward the stage.

My father was staring at Adrian.

Not with shock, but something else I couldn't quite put my finger on.

He met my gaze.

Then he gave a small nod toward the direction Adrian had already started walking.

A silent instruction but loud and clear.

Follow him.

Adrian was halfway to the exit.

I pushed myself to my feet, clutching the jacket around me as I hurried after him, the murmurs of the elite trailing behind me like ghosts.

I caught up to him in the corridor outside.

"Wait."

He stopped.

Slowly, he turned to face me.

Up close, his expression was calm and controlled.

Impossible to read.

I swallowed.

"You just saved my family," I said, my voice shaky but sincere. "Our company... our home... everything. I-"

"You don't need to thank me."

Relief flickered across my face.

It vanished just as quickly.

Adrian slipped his hands into his pockets, his gaze steady as he finished the sentence.

"I never do anything for free."