Adelaide's Revenge

"The overall best graduating student of 2023 Harvard goes to.... Dallas Adelaide!"

Heart beating, I hurry across to the stage for the fifth time today to collect another yet hefty present. As I clambered up the stage to be handed another present to the deafening applause of the giant hall and flashing lights, I could catch the look of anger across my sister's Summer's face.

My parents clapped politely, but they were obviously disinterested and wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

I looked to my left, there was one person cheering louder than the others; my boyfriend. Ethan Steel. I blew him a kiss as I took my present to the 'oohs' and 'aahs' of the audience.

"Oh look at miss know-it-all, I guess those years of your boring self missing every cool event to read has paid off," she sneered, blowing a pink bubblegum in my direction.

I looked at Mom, but she was on her phone typing absentmindedly and Dad was getting up from his seat to take a call.

Of course, what was I expecting? That they would defend me?

Their precious daughter was always right.

Every second with them, I was reminded of my place in the family; an unwanted child. 22 years ago, I was picked up at a seedy orphanage home at the age of one, but this was a Dallas family secret.

Dad had been pressured to have a child to inherit the family business as a requirement in Grandfather's will, they were trying for a child and failing, so they faked a pregnancy and adopted me as their first daughter.

I was spoiled and treated like a princess then two years later, unexpectedly, mum got pregnant with Summer.

Life has been hell for me since then. I had to earn my place by being the best in everything.

The only person who never treated me badly was Ethan. My boyfriend.

"Hey baby!"

Speaking of the devil, hand in pocket, a lazy grin on his face and scooping me up amid the rowdy students in the hall, the graduation ceremony was already over.

"Ethan, where were you?" Pressing my face against him and smiling.

"Sorry, I got ambushed on the way."

6 '2, sculpted face and body, blond hair, military cut hair and deep blue eyes, Ethan was attractive, which meant he was constantly getting asked out by women here.

He knows almost everything about me.

Ethan Lain of the Lain Conglomerate worth billions, second child born into generational wealth of the family business of premium alcohol and wines.

Like him, not much attention was paid to him as his elder brother, Adrian Lain was already being groomed for CEO.

Ethan was always sensitive about that, so I don't bring up family business when we're together.

The Lain Conglomerate was a beneficial partner to our family's Dallas supply business, albeit not billionaires but millionaires in our own right.

"Babe, let's get out of here. We need to celebrate with you. Plus... I have a surprise for you."

Ethan hoisted me, spinning me around without minding people were looking at us.

"A surprise? Wait! Let me down!" Despite myself, I laugh.

"Hey Ethan! Don't you think you're doing too much? Don't strain yourself carrying that cow."

Heat seared through my chest.

It was Summer. My smile disappeared immediately.

I thought Alfred, our chauffeur, had already driven them all home. Why was she still here?

Tucking her strawberry-blonde hair being one ear, she leans down, smiling while ensuring her breasts are in Ethan's full view from the pink low - cut gown she wore.

A flash of anger surged through me.

My sister shamelessly trying to seduce my boyfriend was nothing new and Ethan had always laughed off my jealousy and anger as an overreaction. I didn't want Ethan in a bad mood now, not when we're going to celebrate together.

"Hey Summer, I see you're as bubbly as ever." my voice dripped with condescension.

Ethan laughed, a tad nervously, "come in, don't be mean to your sister."

"I don't blame you," she cut him off. " When you're ready for some real fun, you know where to find me."

She winked and sashays away to her group of loud, obnoxious friends.

What the hell was that? Since when did he talk to summer that way?

"Ethan?"

But his eyes were on summer.

"Ethan?"

"Let's go, she's just being silly," he said with an all too bright smile as he leaned down to kiss me again.

I look back at my retreating sister, then back at my boyfriend.

"Are you sure? What is going on?"

"Enough already!" He snapped, eyes flashing.

"What the.?"

"Baby, I'm sorry, I'm just preoccupied with something, let's stop talking about your sister, okay?" He leaned in to kiss me.

What the heck was going on? Ethan wasn't the type to lie on a spur.

***

"What did you just say?" I ask again, not believing the scene before me.

"Dallas Adelaide...will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Ethan, on one knee, smiling as he held a diamond ring towards me.

This was happening too fast.

I can't believe this. Happiness overwhelmed me and tears streamed down my face but.

"Ethan, this is too sudden and I-"

"Please say yes, Adelaide. We were going to be married anyway for family business."

He smiled but there was something urgent about it. I knew that eventually, the Lains would ask for a hand in marriage from the Dallas' family for a continued partnership but...something felt off.

He never even discussed this with my family.

"Y-yes. I will marry you, Ethan."

He looked relieved.

Heart pounding, I stretched out a hand, he clasped my hand gently, like he was the most delicate thing in the world, slipping on the diamond ring.

ADELAIDE POV

I held up my hand to the light. Cartier. Heavy yet regal, in dull blue-green tones. A perfect fit. The diamond shimmered under the yellow picnic lights he'd set up.

He swept me into his arms, kissing me deeply, hand protectively around my waist.

His blue eyes shimmered. "Adelaide, you have made me the happiest man on earth today."

His voice breathless as he pulled me in a tight hug.

Suddenly around us, camera lights began going off from the surrounding bushes.

"Miss Adelaide, how do you feel about his proposal tonight??"

"When are you guys getting married??"

"Was this planned to coincide with your graduation party tonight?"

"Paparazzi. Being ambushed was a daily thing in our lives, but this was a highly secure area. Someone must have let them in.

My heart thudded in my chest, plummeting my excitement. Where were Ethan's guards?

Squeezing his forearm, "Let's get out of here, Ethan."

"What are you talking about, silly?" He flashed me a dismissive grin then a charming smile and waved to the still flashing lights, beckoning the reporters.

"Mr. Lain! Mr. Lain! When was this proposal planned??"

He strode forward, Obviously prepared.

"Settle down everyone, this was a spur of the moment thing, I've realized that once you love someone, there is no perfect time," he patted my head gently to the 'awws' of the reporters.

"A question for miss Adelaide-"

"No, my fiancé has had a long day, whatever questions you have should be passed to the family at her graduation party tonight at the Dallas mansion."

What? What party? Confusion mirrored my expression as Ethan held on to me as we pushed past the reporters to his car, waiting with his security detail to take me home.

As soon as we got into the car, my questions poured, demanding answers.

"What party? The last party my family threw for me was when I was 4. And how did you know about that before me?"

"Summer called me." Ethan said.

I felt a stab of pain in my chest.

The look on his face when he asked me to marry him a few minutes ago was entirely different now.

I clutched the hem of my sequined blue gown to look out the window of the passing New York scenery.

"So, the proposal. It's a bit too soon, don't you think?"

He didn't answer. His phone vibrated again, I caught a glimpse of the name before he quickly yanked his phone out of sight; Summer.

***

"Happy engagement. Happy engagement. We're so proud of you."

Clinks of champagne glasses, the smell of expensive perfume, unique but formal outfits, quiet laughter and the smell of exotic desserts in the air; a true Dallas family affair.

Leave it up to my mother to throw a party this lavish with little time to spare.

Did they set it up because of my sudden engagement?

They weren't even planning to congratulate me for graduating.

I feel nauseous.

"Baby?

Ethan's voice snaps me out of my reverie and I look down at him holding my hand, possessive.

I didn't know how to feel about Ethan acting like this.

Why the hurry?

At least, I don't see Summer anywhere.

"Congratulations darling! Who knew you'd be the first to get married and so soon!" Mrs. Arlington, affected with her high-pitched British accent, pulled me in for a kiss on the cheeks.

I managed a tight smile as she turned to Ethan.

I need air.

I slipped out to the Hall's balcony, shimmied between guests, responding only briefly.

"Finally..." I breathe, ducking out of sight to a small corner where you could observe everything going on downstairs while you could hide undetected. Sinking to the cold tiles, feeling a wave of tiredness and relief wash over me.

"What was he thinking?" I mutter to myself.

Raising my left hand to examine the ring again in the dim light, I sighed.

Behind me was the muffle of guests and muted music. There was a live performance from Briana Frande–a famous pop star, hence the excitement.

Suddenly, a roar of an Aston Martin engine downstairs. I sat up quickly to peek. Downstairs was another guest pulling up in front of our house.

The security guards hurried from the entrance to open the door, bowing respectfully to a man in a dark navy suit. Hmm. Must be an important guest.

Even without seeing his face, I could see his impressive build; all muscle and power straining against that expensive suit.

He muttered something to his personal guard, who nodded.

All of a sudden, he whipped his head up, looking straight at me. I dodge out of sight with a gasp.

Did he sense someone was looking at him?

"This is ridiculous," I muttered to myself, gathering my sequined gown.

I'll just make sure I'm seen greeting the guests, find Ethan. We needed to talk.

Not far away from me, I suddenly hear Moans and whisperings.

Heels in hand, I freeze.

"Ugh, couldn't wait for the after party?" I whispered to myself. I caught the silhouette of the couple making out-nope, they were definitely having sex on the other hidden corner of this balcony.

Sneaking past as quietly as possible, trying not to listen to the moans and whisperings of the woman.

"Oh Ethan..."

I froze in my tracks.

Did I hear right?

"Oh my sweetest darling..."

My sweetest darling.

Only Ethan called me that.

Drawing myself up, I march straight to the couple in the shadows, turning on my phone light.

There he was; pants halfway down, supporting a woman by the waist, thrusting violently and the woman who had her head thrown back, nails digging into his back was....my sister.

They weren't just kissing.

They were fucking.

I felt my heart crack and shatter.

"Summer..."

She smirked. "Oh, don't look at me like that, big sis." Her voice was mocking. You should've known you could never keep him."

The floor tilted beneath me.

My fingers trembled, gripping my phone.

"Adelaide, wait-"

I slapped him.

Hard.

The crack of it rippled through the night air.

My phone fell out of my hand.

"Hey, get that shit out of my...." Ethan's annoyed voice disappeared once he recognized me.

"Oh shit."

Color drained from his face.

It's not what you think, sweetie, come I can explain."

Before he could reach out to me, I turned and fled.

ADELAIDE POV

My vision turned dark and blurry as I run.

Past the guests. Knocking over trays, a waiter. Down the stairs, into the courtyard, through a secluded garden to a fountain where I used to go in secret when I felt sad. I stumbled as I ran, not caring for my ripped gown that caught on a bush.

Barefoot, covered in dirt and hyperventilating.

The image of them flashed in my head again, and I threw up, falling on my knees in between hacking sobs.

"H-how, could he do this to me?? He promised! Of all people!"

For a good one hour, I sobbed over the searing heart pain until I was spent.

I could still hear the laughter, music, and voices of guests from here.

Under a small bush close to the fountain, Some time ago, I hid a bottle of Chocolate vodka with Ethan. We were supposed to drink it together, feeling around for it under the bush. I grabbed the half-full cold bottle, unscrewed the cap and took a big gulp.

"Fuck them both..." I was bitter.

A few minutes later, my vision began to swoon, so I laid on my back, watching the moonlight glow against the fountain angel statue.

In a few minutes, I heard the sound of slow footsteps coming towards me, I couldn't be bothered.

"Oh, you found me already? Tell my mother not to go back to that ball unless the bitch and the bastard are gone..." my words were slurring now, but I didn't care.

"Oh, is that so?" The rough rumbling voice was deep, and amused.

The looming frame leaned closer, and I could smell his perfume, a mix of pine, filling me with a heady rush.

"Marcus? No, you're not my security guard...."

The figure walked up to me and knelt to press a warm but rough hand against my forehead. I saw him mouth some words to me, before my eyes slowly closed.

The last thing I remember is the feeling of being carried before I totally passed out.

***

HUNT'S POV

I wasn't planning to waste my night on this

charade of a party, but business is business.

Adjusting my tie, I checked my watch, already counting the minutes until I could leave.

"Mr. Steel, remember this is an engagement party for your friend's brother and a business associate."

Saul, my driver and head of security, met my gaze in the rearview mirror.

"It's fine. I'll be there for an hour and no more."

Ethan Lain was getting engaged today.

I chuckled coldly.

The spineless little bastard had always been desperate to prove himself, following his brother all around when they were younger. Not that Adrian paid him much attention. Gave him a fucked up character, that one. He hid it well, though.

I had known his older brother, Adrian, since college. He was sharp, disciplined, and cut from the right cloth. Ethan, on the other hand, was a kid who just wanted to belong.

But I wasn't here for the engagement, it was just a cover-up.

I wasn't even here to get in on the Lain-Dallas merger. There was an underground shift and struggle for power. Corporate power was never my thing but these past years as a Billionaire tech boss, I'd come to see how both went well hand in hand. That also meant I was always working. Even this party and I had a personal interest in keeping an eye on things.

Who knew that punk would be the first to get married between the Lain brothers?

I gave an absent-minded sigh as the car pulled up in front of the Dallas' mansion, all decked out for incoming guests.

The gardens, cars, chatter of guests, muted music mingled with the air of opulence. I hated being among the wealthy.

I lost my dad very young and two years ago, I took over running the Steel Tech company and using one of my patented designs for computer processors, my company outpaced others by nearly 4000% percent. Within two years, the company's valuations had risen and taken our family to the status of billionaires.

But I avoided the public light as much as possible, so not much is known about me or my rough past. Or present.

My mother, Romaine, was a gangster and cutthroat businesswoman who kept Oxalate Tech running for decades and away from Sharks while I was on the other side of the world, engaging in whatever reckless behavior I wanted until I decided to grow up.

Now I wonder if I made the right decision. Sure, I am wealthy beyond dreams, handsome, an eligible bachelor, but I missed when I was carefree and rode around the world with my banged up bike, getting into fights and heading just a mafia.

Now I had responsibilities, a position that commanded immense power and artificial respect, but I was bored. Bored out of my mind. The women, booze and partying had certainly taken a toll on me.

Now at the age of 28, I have effectively retired from having a social life.

I stepped in front of the Dallas' mansion, feeling the gaze of someone from above, but I saw the shadowy form hide once I looked up.

So, not a sniper then. Perhaps a bored guest.

I walked into the party and was immediately swarmed by business associates and hopeful investors. Talk never strayed from business and politics. I was contemplating my escape when I could hear commotion at the other end of the hall.

A dishevelled girl, knocking over trays and tables, running past everyone with a tear streaked face. As she ran past me to the door, I caught a brief look at her face and unmistakable vivid green eyes.

Dallas Adelaide.

The Dallas family recluse and family beauty.

"Poor thing, and on her engagement night."

"Typical Dallas drama."

"Summer was missing earlier. Coincidence?"

As soon as she'd left, the party resumed like nothing had happened with the waiters picking up after the exciting scene.

Standing dazed in a corner was Ethan. He'd grown up nicely.

He was standing at the center of the room, shoulders tense and jaw locked, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

People did not pay him much attention. That was clearly a groom not enjoying his engagement.

I wonder what happened.

Must be a family squabble.

I snatched a champagne flute off a waiter and downed it. Too sweet.

"Mr. Steel! I'm so glad to have caught you, give me a moment, don't go anywhere!" That was the manager for one finance firm, all I remembered was her annoying high-pitched voice and ability to drone on endlessly.

I raised a glass and smiled at her, as soon as her attention was on someone else, I disappeared.

I'd had my fill of this fucking party.

Wandering into the gardens, away from the obnoxious chatter, I could finally relax.

Or so I thought. Not far away from, I could hear a woman's voice, sobbing.

Walking up as quietly as possible to her, she was lying on the grass and didn't seem to care. By the almost empty bottle of vodka she clutched like a baby, I could see she was completely drunk.

"Marcus? You're not Marcus, he's not as handsome as you..." she slurred her words, raising a hand up to touch my face and laughed.

I chuckled.

"No, I'm not."

"Tell that bastard and bitch I'm not coming until they're gone."

Her breath came shallow, and she was pale, despite it, those green eyes watched me with attention. She flinched as I put my hand to her forehead.

Burning. She'd probably been out in this cold for a while.

She was surprisingly light. Carrying her across the garden and handing her to an embarrassed security guard was no problem.

I eased out of their earnest apologies to my car, engine already idling.

I got in and slammed the door.

"You didn't last as long as you said," Saul said.

"I did my best. Now floor it."

As he pulled out the gate and onto private roads speeding, I allowed myself to relax.

At least this night wasn't as boring as I expected.

I looked at my hands covered in dirt and the faint scent of citrus and earthy Jasmine of the drunken, pretty woman whom I'd carried. She probably caught him cheating. I shouldn't care, but it bothered me a little. Poor thing.

"What an Interesting night... Adelaide Dallas...." I muttered her name as I nodded off.