"It's impossible." Said pride. "It's risky." Said Experience. "It's pointless." said reason."Give it a try." Whispered the HEART."
That morning Thomas woke up in an empty bed. He tried, in vain, to understand when things had taken a turn for the worse between him and Adele. Despite all this time spent by her side, he wasn't even close to finding out what was really hiding inside her head.
Honestly, Thomas wasn't the type to admit defeat, but if there was one person he definitely couldn't read, it was Adele. On the one hand, his mind was telling him that this was not a problem that deserved so much waste of time. After all, he was a busy man. And yet, another part of him already knew how much he longed for her.
If only he understood her better, then he could finally show her what they could accomplish side by side. It was enough to look at what she had accomplished on her own. Admittedly, Adele had known how to rise in the social hierarchy. Well, minus this ridiculous marriage story.
At the mere thought, Thomas immediately got up from his bed before walking straight towards the clothes neatly folded over the back of the chair. He pulled on his pants before pausing as he caught a glimpse of his appearance through his mirror. His hair was askew from her hands, his back clawed. He looked younger than he could remember being. In a way, he looked like a version of himself before the war. Just like that carefree kid who fucked Gretta under that famous bridge. Except that it was with Adele that he had spent the night.
Hell, how he ended up fucking the same girl's best friend who made him discover he did have one and only weakness.
Love.
There was a time when Thomas found himself dreaming of a very different future than the one ahead of him. And then, Gretta died of an overdose. War had broken out in France and he and his brothers had been called up. He had lost every ounce of warmth after that.
He had grown used to being seen as a heartless gangster that everyone was suspicious of. Well, everyone except one person.
Adele Fitzpatrick.
"The only reason it was hard to lie was because the lies were trying to get out in the open,"
At this point in her life, Adele couldn't agree more with this proverb. And yet, it was still just as difficult for her to face the consequences of her lies.
A bit like now elsewhere.
She swallowed as Jarvis stopped the car in the huge Marks path leading straight to their equally huge abode.
To tell the truth, the whole complex was well two or even three hectares. And there were a multitude of servants walking around the place. The place looked more like a small country village rather than a simple mansion.
The feeling of nausea resurfaced again as Adele realized what she was planning to do today. Unfortunately, she had no choice but to comply. Obviously, Gerald had not taken the initiative to announce her decision to end the engagement. Obviously.
However, if her brief affair with Thomas had reminded her of anything, it was that she never really needed a man to pull herself up. Well, to be more exact, Adele had finally realized that there was only one man who could match her in her ambition and thirst for power. And it wasn't Elijah Marks.
Unfortunately, that was precisely the problem.
The only man made for her was also the same man who would cause her death.
Adele shuddered at the mere thought.
However, she didn't have enough time to think more about what her future might have been like if she had made any other choice as it wasn't long before Elijah Marks himself made his way outside to join her in the middle.
At the sight of the huge blond man, Adele suddenly felt a surge of guilt. She definitely hadn't had romantic feelings for this man, but she had damaged the growing trust between them. For that, she owed him more than just an apology.
Still, that wasn't going to stop her admitting her sins.
After all, the truth was the price to be paid for her freedom.
Seeing the lack of her usual impetuosity, Jarvis therefore took the initiative to go downstairs to open the door for her.
Hearing the mechanism, Adele let out a startled little gasp before quickly straining at the sudden hearing of Elijah's familiar deep voice."Allow me."
She had barely leaned down the stairs when the tall blonde had already unsheathed his hand in anticipation.
Adele had a brief moment of hesitation as she gauged his outstretched hand before meeting Jarvis's urgent gaze. She swallowed before finally resigning herself to taking Elijah's hand. She grabbed a piece of her robe in her fist to avoid tripping over it before finally releasing Elijah's hand the moment she was steady on her feet.
"Adele Lancaster."He greeted with a strange intensity in his gaze.
Adele held his gaze out of courtesy before nodding her head with a tight smile."Elijah."
With the memory of Thomas so fresh in her mind, Adele was barely able to take at bay the comparisons crossing her mind. It was as if Thomas was right next to the Lord. Honestly, she couldn't be more uncomfortable than she is now.
"You're ravishing." He complimented, taking in her outfit carefully before adding."As always."
"Thank you."
Hearing a heavy silence settling between them, Jarvis hastened to intervene, clearing his throat."Mhm, I'd better park the car somewhere else. I wouldn't want to inconvenience the Lord Marks employees."
"They are not my employees, Jarvis." Elijah immediately refuted giving a forced smile to Jarvis."They are only my father's."
"And yet you are the one they will serve after his death." Adele intervened in spite of herself.
Elijah turned to her."I doubt it. They will serve my brother above all."
Jarvis widened his eyes at the obvious tension hovering over their trio before quickly slipping away in an overwhelming need for air. A fact that did not take long to challenge Adele as she followed him with envy.
"I think we should take a walk around the estate."
Adele immediately returned her eyes to Elijah, swallowing before nodding in spite of herself."Well, lead the way."
Elijah hurried to join her side with his arm raised in anticipation of her hand. Adele measured the offered arm reluctantly before finally letting her empathetic side take over. She was about to end their engagement after all. She could at least try to act leniently.
Although that wasn't really her greatest strength to be honest.
No, diplomacy and politics looked more like Thomas.
For a short moment, Adele thought she might act as if nothing had happened. After all, she once enjoyed his company. Unfortunately, all she could think of was Thomas's reaction when she told him she was engaged. Which was a lie. Well, more or less. It only took two little words for it to become a reality.
It's. Over.
And yet, she didn't.
She continued to walk alongside Elijah for what felt like an eternity. An eternity during which he pretended not to know the exact reason for her arrival.
Elijah was far from stupid.
He knew why Adele had visited him.
In fact, he had learned a lot about her over the past few days. Gerald had poured out his shame and embarrassment on his family.
Now it was up to him to banish Adele.
And yet, he didn't seem able to push her away like his father had ordered him to.
Maybe he finally got attached to her despite it. Or maybe he had finally found someone he could relate to. Truth be told, for whatever reason, he just wasn't ready to end their little interviews. It had been so long since he had sincerely shared his outlook on life with another person. He had spent his life fleeing from country to country. Most of the middle class found it admirable and ambitious, but in truth, Elijah had not stopped running from the very moment he realized he wasn't cut out to care about another person. He was selfish like that.
Besides, that was probably why he didn't want to pull away from Adele.
The heavy silence soon got the better of Adele's patience. The latter clenched her fists at her side with a grimace before suddenly waving her arms in front of her in frustration."Okay, stop! I can't do this anymore!"
"Do what?" Elijah asked as he stopped along with the brunette in apprehension."Maybe you don't have to pretend."
Adèle immediately frowned, confused."To pretend? What-what do you mean?"
Elijah took in Adele's natural beauty with a slight tinge of envy inside him before looking away for a brief moment. During that time, his gaze caught the sight of a bench bordering the estate's walking path.
Reacting no courtesy, he hastened to point to the bench invitingly."Maybe we should sit down before we start any other unpleasant speeches."
"Unpleasant speech?" Adele repeated."Elijah, I-"
"Please." He insisted before taking the lead as he walked around her to sit up.
Adele spun slowly on her heels in a bad feeling before hesitating for a moment as she watched him join that lonely bench.
She wasn't sure why, but Elijah had a knack for dethroning every one of her pre-planned plans. It was like the first time they had met. Adele had planned every topic of conversation, every word, every reaction. However, he had managed to surprise her in the best possible way. She assumed that was the type of man he was.
It only increased that lump of guilt down her throat.
Hell, how her life had changed in such a short space of time. There was a time when even the prospect of becoming attached to someone other than her own brother scared her deeply. And now, Adele found herself entangled in the deepest tumultuous waters. Those of love.
Realizing that Elijah wasn't really giving her a choice on the matter, Adele resigned herself to walking backwards to the still available seat alongside the Lord.
She moved carefully to his side, trying to keep some distance between them before finding herself contorting her suspicious expression into one of bliss at the sight of the huge lake revealing itself right before her eyes. She really wasn't expecting the sight to be honest. She hadn't even seen it when she got here.
She found herself relaxing in spite of herself.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Adele nodded, amazed."It is, indeed."
A new silence settled between them.
For once, Adele forgot the troubles of the past. The present and even the hypothetical future. Instead, she just lived for the moment. She had never been so relaxed as she is now. Strangely, the scene reminded her of one of the darkest moments of her life.
The birdsong carried by the light cool wind coupled with the surrounding silence reminded her of the trenches at nightfall. When the fighting ceased for a brief moment. The enemy and allies brought in their wounded while Adele worked to count the remaining material for the next offensive.
At the mere thought, it wasn't long before Adele felt the familiar twitches running down her fingers. She immediately looks away before releasing a deep, weary breath.
Once it was the nightmares that kept her awake, now it was the heartache and the obligations that came with being a privileged person.
Unfortunately, it was time to end one of her obligations.
So she took a deep breath as she turned to the tall, sophisticated blonde."Elijah-"
"I know." He interrupted her suddenly, silencing her for the umpteenth time in spite of himself. He lifted his head to meet her amber gaze."I already know why you came here."
"It's…" Adele was speechless for a moment before letting a confused little crease settle between her eyebrows."How-why?"
Elijah gave a small, bittersweet smile."Shouldn't I be the one asking these questions?"Adele was just about to answer, so he hurried on."I wish I could say I didn't know that but that would be a lie. That's what I've always enjoyed about you, Adele. You have always been honest with me."
Adèle didn't really understand what was going on at this point. How could he act so calmly? Shouldn't he yell at her? Insult her with all names for bringing dishonor to his family?
Nonetheless, she was certain of one point and that was that they understood each other. He wasn't wrong. Adele had always told him that this marriage was not made of love but of obligations.
"It seems to me that I was not the only one who was being honest."
Elijah nodded, a semblance of a smile on his face."I told you everyone has their fair share of ghosts from the past."
"And you were right." Adele finally agreed, swallowing before returning her eyes to Elijah to support his gaze."However, some don't stay in the past."
Elijah let out a breath of bitter laughter before rolling his eyes to regain his shock. Even though he already suspected the reason."So there's really someone."
"It's not just because of that. It's- "
"More difficult than that?" He finished for her before arching an eyebrow."I can believe it. But that's the main reason."
Adele immediately looked away in shame and guilt before staring at the lake in the distance. A sardonic smile soon curved her lips as she fully realized the absurdity of the situation.
She didn't even know where she stood with Thomas. To tell the truth, things weren't very promising between them. And to be honest, doubt still weighed heavily on Adele's mind. Thomas and she were two ticking time bombs. They were like rain and shine. They couldn't exist without each other and yet nothing good came of their association.
"Do you want to know what's the most fun?" She snorted darkly."He thinks I'm going to get married."
Elijah was almost ashamed to admit that a surge of hope arose in him."Didn't you tell him you wanted to break your engagement?"
Adele left a scoff."I'm too cowardly for that."
Elijah knowingly nodded."Well, that's really pathetic. This is probably the first time that I can finally understand you."
"Why?"
"Let's just say I know what it feels like to run away from love." Elijah explained before turning to Adele."Who is he?"
This time, Adele winced hesitantly."I don't think that's relevant."
"Because you're afraid of what I might do?"
Adele hummed in objection.
"Oh." He realized."So you're afraid of what he might do to me."
"I am not afraid."She refuted before arguing."To tell the truth, I doubt even there will be retaliation. All of this does not need to be. All of this. This wedding… you… him."
Elijah watched Adele intently in silence for a moment before nodding his head."So you're running away again."
"I am not running away. I free myself."
"Ah, the great female independence then." He admitted, slightly mockingly, letting Adele squint her eyes on the arrogant man."Face it, Adele, you're lying to yourself."
"I ask you pardon?"
"Who will take care of you if you run away again?"
Adele smiled incredulously before giving him an almost insulted look."I don't need to be taken care of. I take care of myself. That's what I do. This is what I have always done."
Elijah nodded silently as a cause before sniffling lightly as he turned to the lake, thoughtful. He swallowed as he let himself be carried away an umpteenth time by the surrounding calm. He used to hate this place. It 0was far too calm for him. He hated thinking about the worst things in his life and that was what this place inspired him to do. And yet, Adele gave a whole new aspect to this lake.
Hence the reason he was so reluctant to let her go so easily.
"So in the end, it's not me or him." He concludes, defeated."It's a question of freedom."
Adele would like to be able to reduce it to that. Freedom.
Unfortunately, that was far from summarizing the situation she found herself in. To tell the truth, it was this exact freedom that frightened her. Otherwise why would she hesitate so much to really let herself go alongside Thomas. The very thought of letting go terrified her.
"What if I said that was exactly the question on the scales?"
"Then he must be really lucky." Elijah admitted reluctantly before forcing a smile on his lips as he turned to her."Although I doubt he's good enough for a woman of your stature."
Adele let out a snort as she turned to Elijah with a genuine smile this time."I can't really argue with you on it."
"Oh, really? Someone is arrogant now."He chuckled.
Adele in turn let out a breath of laughter before ending with a weary breath."God, this life is so fucked up."
"I don't really know if it really is. It's all about the choices we make, right?"He songed."I mean if you ever told me that you still wished to marry me even after everything you just told me, I think I will take you again without hesitation."
Adele stiffened at his admission before opening and closing her mouth in search of an answer worthy of who he really was. Despite everything, Adele had affection for him.
However, Elijah took the initiative to fill the silence between them."Don't pretend it's a surprise to yourself. You know I'm not talking about love or even attraction. It's something else. I felt it as soon as I met you and I know you felt it too."
"Elijah, I…" Adele paused, licking her lips before puckering her lips, contrite."I was never made for love. God, I'm not even sure I fully understand this word but ..."
An equivocal silence ended her words for her, letting Elijah once again flee her empathetic gaze with pride. He sniffled before wincing, bitter."You love him."
"I do, yes." She finally admitted before adding."But that's not possible between us."
Elijah ran his tongue along his teeth, nodding thoughtfully before turning his attention to Adele, serious."So let him go. I already know that you will never be able to give me your heart. But admit it Adele, we make a pretty good pair you and me. Think for a second of what we could accomplish alongside each other."
As a businesswoman, Adele would be lying if she said Elijah's proposal wasn't enticing. But as a woman constantly oppressed by men, she could not decently accept such a deal. She couldn't sell herself for the good of business.
Not to mention that she had finally decided to stop lying to herself. Adele had finally come to terms with the simple fact that she was head over heels and tirelessly in love with Thomas fookin' Shelby. As disturbing and frustrating as it sounds. By this point, Adele had finally come to terms with the idea that part of her was passionately seeking the danger Thomas Shelby posed.
He was synonymous with passion and adventure.
He aroused unsuspected emotions in her.
He challenged her in many ways.
That was the whole point.
Beside him, Adele felt like she was once again that young teenager looking for thrill and independence. In a way, Thomas had been able to resuscitate Adele's battered heart. The one she thought was forever broken by the traumas of the past.
Unfortunately, that was what scared her the most.
Adele was far more afraid of losing Thomas than she let appear. She already knew that if she let herself go in his arms, she would never be able to come out again, no matter the situation. So, she wasn't ready to lose that freedom just yet.
Hence the reason she found herself contemplating Elijah's offer for a moment.
She pursed her lips thoughtfully as she gazed intently at the distant horizon. She let herself be coaxed by the sounds around before closing her eyes for a moment. She knew she wasn't just gambling on her marital future right now. Her relationship with her grandfather and her position in the company would suffer greatly. It all hinged on the choice she intended to make.
"I guess we won't be back anytime soon."
Adele took her eyes off the road at Jarvis's suggestion before answering while continuing to observe the landscape."Quite the contrary."
"What do you mean ?"He exclaimed, confused."I thought-wait, have you reconsidered your choices?"
Adele widened her eyes at his conclusion before finally turning to him with an apathetic expression."Do I sound like the type of person to go back on my decisions?"
Jarvis winced in realization."That's not what I meant. I mean… you will admit that the situation is even more confusing."
Adele simply rolled her eyes before finally explaining the situation."Elijah Marks is now one of our majority shareholders."
"Are you serious? Why would he do that when you refused to marry-"Jarvis stopped short at the sight of the defiant look Adele gave him in response. He pursed his lips before finally nodding his head in silence.
Adele remained adamant as she kept her expression neutral before returning her eyes to the London landscape."I would like to make one last stop before setting off again."
"And, if you will allow me, can I wonder where we are going to go after this?"
Jarvis's apprehensive tone did not go unnoticed by Adele. She knew full well he was dreading returning to Small Heath. Unfortunately, as much as Adele wanted to return, it was not the destination she had in mind. She had given way too much of her time and energy over the past two years to be blinded by her emotions. She had to keep her goal in mind.
Not to mention that she was already in a pretty bad position against the Italians. She had to win the Epsom Derby. Even if she had to sacrifice her love life again to get there.
Adele gave the semblance of an enigmatic smile before turning to Jarvis to make eye contact. "Don't worry, we'll be heading back to the estate soon. Having said that, I doubt you will like our new destination."
Indeed, Jarvis was definitely not satisfied with their new destination.
Honestly, he really didn't understand what he was doing in the London office when they were supposed to take a sabbatical from work. However, he should have known with a boss like Miss. Adele.
Unfortunately, he feared the worst.
If Miss. Adele had suddenly chosen to go to the office so that meant she had had an idea. And usually her ideas were either suicidal or so damn evil. And given her state of mind, Jarvis wasn't sure he wanted to know.
His thought process only increased as he caught sight of Lisbeth's nervous expression behind the elevator gates.
Adele waited for the elevator to stabilize before pulling the security gates herself to step inside the reception desk. She greeted Lisbeth quickly with a nod on her way before quickly marching headlong towards her office."Have they arrived?"
"They are waiting for you in your office." Lisbeth announced anxiously as she suddenly got up from her desk to greet them.
She and Jarvis exchanged anxious glances letting Jarvis close the small gap between him and Miss. Adele in confusion."They? May I know what awaits us?"
"You just have to follow me." Adele whispered in turn as she already set about perfecting her unyielding mask.
She paused for a moment in front of the double doors of her office to mentally prepare herself for what was to follow. She took a deep breath in an attempt to organize her thoughts before finally raising her head confidently. She released the breath she had inhaled before forcing a business smile on her lips as she grabbed the handles in her hands to open the doors wide.
"Gentleman!" She shouted in a steady, controlled voice as she steadily made her way into her office."Please excuse me for the wait. I had to settle an urgent matter."
"An urgent matter?" William Gibson repeated, adjusting the pair of round glasses on his unsightly face before leaving a scoff."And what are we? Common scum that you can whistle on your way?"
Adele slowed down as she approached her desk before stepping around the massive furniture to face the three men looking anything but excited to come face to face with her.
"Forgive me, but I have the impression that my request is bothering you. Having said that, you might have better things to do than worry about your actions in this company."
George immediately gave the belligerent idiot standing next to him a reprimand look before clearing his throat and telling Niccolo to save them with a light nudge.
The latter straightened up—he was obviously the most relaxed of the three—before adjusting the knot of his tie around his neck as he rephrased Gibson's words.
"What our dear William here was trying to say is that we're not really sure we know the real reason we're here. Without the other shareholders. and without your brother and your grandfather moreover."
Adele backs up the arrogant Italian's gaze with a light sneer before forcing her commercial smile on her lips again."Well, Gerald will be kept informed of this meeting. For now, why don't you take a seat? We have to talk about business."
Adele extended her hand to the three free chairs with a wave of her hand before showing the way at the sight of their reluctance. She settled down comfortably in her chair before waving a hand in Jarvis's direction. The latter was so tense that he jumped.
She ignored his reaction as she asked him to bring her a cup of tea and serve a glass of Irish scotch to each of her visitors. All the while, she could perfectly feel the shared gazes of the three men focused on her.
George tried to read her silently. William was fucking pissed off and Niccolo seemed legitimately amused by all this little staging. The latter's reaction was hardly surprising to be honest. It had always been common knowledge that he was part of the Italian clan. So, he must have felt superior after their small victory against Thomas.
"Thanks, Jarvis." Niccolo nodded, taking the offered drink before taking a sip as he turned to Adele."Oh, by the way, I understood that Seamus had had a brief discord with the forces in London. It was a sad misunderstanding if you ask me."
Adele remained unfazed at his direct affront as she widened her hypocritical smile."Indeed. Seamus thought he would meet Mr. Sabini. But it looks like he was wrong."
"Really?"
"Well, like Mr. Montero said, it was just a misunderstanding." Adele replied, keeping tense eye contact with Niccolo. She tilted her head before returning to business with a simple smile."Anyway, I haven't called you together today to discuss my brother's woes. Frankly, I have some great news to share."
George frowned before leaning back in his chair with a dismissive snort."So if I understand correctly, you've got the three of us gathered here to… well, to talk rags and gossip?"
"If only." Scoffed Adele, ignoring the anger rising in her."I already know that gossip is your favorite pastime. Far be it from me to steal your business."
At the sight of the insulted expressions of the three men, Adele gave a genuine smirk before hastening to continue. She didn't intend to give them time to reply. She had already let them talk enough.
"So to be brief, we have a brand new majority shareholder." She explained before quickly raising a hand at the sight of William about to lose his temper."One minute. I have not finished."
Niccolo knowingly narrowed his eyes on her in the search of a tic showing her bluff before squeezing his eyes, agitated now."Well, who is that?"
"I think you've heard of the Lord Marks before, eh?"
It wasn't long before the trio of men exchanged a quick puzzled look before William spoke again."Your future husband?"
Adele made a small rebuttal sound before shaking her head negatively."Mhm, no. Finally, we came to an agreement. You have to believe that the business of hearts is much less profitable in our time."
A heavy silence persisted in the room during which Jarvis gave Adele a wide gaze. At this point, he expected anything from her but this time around, she had really exceeded all of his expectations. Had she lost her mind?
Niccolo shrugged in his chair, suddenly uncomfortable."I'm not sure I understand the full magnitude of the situation. Do you mean you turned down a Lord's marriage offer? And that instead you offered to invest in your family business?"
"This is exactly what I said." Adele nodded with a firm nod."Who said you were stupid? I really don't understand why you started such a rumor Mr. Gibson."
The paunchy man's eyes widened before quickly clearing himself under a panoply of blatant lies."What-no-I-I never said such a thing. It is-"
During all this time, Adele was not slow to see the attentive gaze of George Maxwell riveted on her. He seemed strangely calm in the face of it all. To tell the truth, he even arched his lips in a sudden smile. Obviously, he was strangely amused by the whole situation.
"It means we are entering politics." He finally declared, cutting off the nascent argument between the two idiots flanking his side.
"What?"
Adele ignored the request in unison with Niccolo and William and focused on George instead."Looks like it."
William gauged the man beside him and the haughty bitch behind the desk in incomprehension before stammering as he turned to Adele in apprehension."Wha-what? What does that mean ?"
"This means the company will take a whole new step in expansion." Niccolo concludes grimly in the realization.
Adele smirked as she turned her attention in his direction."Exactly. This company has always been legal. I saw fit to stress this point. After Seamus' journey through the four walls of a cell, I preferred to watch our backs."
A heavy, tense silence reigned in the room as Adele and Niccolo stared at each other without a word in a power struggle.
Adele had literally put him in the spotlight. By now she had made sure to stay as far away from the Italian illegal affairs as possible. It also meant that she challenged them to involve her again in their little gang war. This time it was she who had the upper hand. And it was all thanks to the thought of Elijah. Who would have thought he would want to get so involved after her announcement.
He rubbed his thumb along his lips as he ran his tongue down his mouth in agitation before straightening up, caught in a fait accompli. "What about the races?"
"This is a cash flow for the company that I want to keep going,"Adele replied."After all, the Epsom Derby is near."
"Is it really wise to go into this kind of new business with what's going on outside these walls right now?"
George, again.
Of the three men gathered today, Adele had expected him to be the most docile. Obviously, she had got it wrong. He was much more seasoned than she had expected. Truth be told, he seemed best able to understand the magnitude of her plans. Which, in a way, scared her a little. She intended to take the head of this company. But to do so, she had to act in the shadows. These men were real sharks when it came to power.
"What do you want to say ?" Niccolo asked immediately, anxiously."This action had been planned for a long time."
George remained unmoved as he wiggled his foot lightly in the air before staying focused on Adele."I'm sure a woman like you reads the papers. Surely you must have heard the news about an arson attack."
William snorted, glancing haughtily at Niccolo."This has yet to be the act of one of those bloodthirsty gangs."
"This time around, they took on a Marshall field." George insisted, without taking his eyes off Adele."Several witnesses say they saw a man wearing a peaky cap walking away from the scene at the time of the explosion."
Adele froze as she continued to support the gaze of the rascal in front of her. He really did have her in a corner. She swallowed, realizing the scope of his underlying accusation before glancing briefly at Niccolo in anticipation. The latter clenched his jaw, obviously still too disturbed by the blow she had given to his entire small organization to realize what was really going on around him.
So she returned her eyes to George Maxwell, trying to feign ignorance."Well, looks like a lot of intriguing things have been going on lately. I will try to read more newspapers in the future, Sir. Maxwell."
"Are we really talking about newspapers?" William grew impatient."Because what I would really like to know is why you decided to call us in to tell us in person about this new merger? Couldn't that wait until the next shareholders meeting?"
"I could have waited for the next shareholders meeting." Adele nodded before sketching a sarcastic smile on her lips."However, I figured that men as passionate about gossip as you would rather break the good news yourself."
William widened his eyes in offense before leaping out of his seat, offended."How dare you-"
"William."George called out wisely, tilting his head towards his stupid counterpart."Sit."
Adele narrowed her eyes on the man in the middle at the sight of William complying with his orders. Perhaps Adele had done a lot more to misguide this man. He seemed to wield a far greater power than he suggested.
A semblance of a smile seemed to form on his lips as he held Adele's gaze before turning to Niccolo and William."I wish I could talk to Miss Lancaster one-on-one."
Adele left a small, almost imperceptible crease between her eyebrows as she gauged the three men in misunderstanding. Especially since William Gibson and Niccolo were quick to comply without flinching. Since when did George Maxwell have so much power?
She pursed her lips as she nodded at Niccolo as he took his leave before quickly returning her eyes to George Maxwell. The man was quite imposing in a way. The depth of his cerulean blue eyes had the gift of disturbing Adele a little. It had been a long time since she had been so disturbed by the intensity in his gaze. Usually Thomas was the only one who had that effect on her.
Well, until today, it would seem.
Until now, Adele had never even considered this man to be an opponent. He was one of the men she enjoyed interacting with the most. He was always full of ideas, arguments and sophistication. Obviously, she hadn't seen far enough when it came to him.
With Jarvis lingering in the background, George cleared his throat before tilting his head imperceptibly back to fire him."You can also leave us, Jarvis."
The latter did not take the joke as he was not long before he stood up in the opposition before giving an alert look in the direction of his boss."I only respond to Miss's. Lancaster requests."
Unsurprisingly, a slight smirk formed on the slim lips of the man in the suit as he gave a waiting look to the brunette in the room.
Adele kept eye contact with the man in a silent power struggle before finally setting her eyes on Jarvis to ask him to take his leave.
Jarvis pursed his lips, obviously in disagreement before quickly adding."If you need me, I'll be with Miss Lisbeth."
George Maxwell widened his smirk before uncrossing his legs to crisscross his right leg over the other. He latched onto the armrest of his seat before straightening up under Adele's watchful gaze.
It wasn't long before the latter rose from her seat, taking care to retrieve the man's empty glass to go and fill it along with hers."Now we are alone. What did you want to talk about?"
George tilted his head back to observe the strong woman next to him with a smirk."Straight to the point, eh?"
"I don't prefer to waste time." She asserted before turning to hand him his drink."Especially when I realize that a sort of hierarchy has been created among the shareholders of my company."
George tilted his glass in thanks before quickly correcting her."Almost yours. Careful, Adele - I can call you Adele, right?"
Adele took a sip from her glass of whiskey without ever taking her eyes off him before forcing a hypocritical smile on her lips in turn."I see no reason to say no. Having said that, I have a question."
"Really?" He nodded facetiously."Which one?"
Adele narrowed her eyes on the man."Since when have you been planning to remove my grandfather from his position as CEO?"
"Oh I see." He smiled by adjusting his suit jacket."You think that was my goal, right? I mean, after all, it's yours."
Adele lost any ounce of pretension at this point. She quickly made up her expression impatiently. She didn't have time for more of the unexpected. Her life was chaotic enough as it was. If she had any enemies in her ranks then she had to know it by now. She couldn't fight the stranger.
"What is your goal in this case?"
George Maxwell immediately shrugged his shoulders selfishly."It's still the same." George searched for his jacket pocket before pulling out a metal cigarette case in the question."You don't mind do you?"
Adele clenched her teeth in annoyance before waving a hand in derision."Not at all."
"Well, see ..." He paused to light the cigarette stuck between his lips before releasing the smoke previously burning his lungs."... the thing is, Gerald got way too pouty to run this company. And that's where it brings you. A woman. Strong. But nevertheless a woman."
"Should I continue to listen to you?"
"I don't want to insult you at all."
Adele smirked before eyeing the smoke evaporating from his cigarette with slight contempt. She immediately returned her eyes to the man in annoyance."Get to the point, George."
"I know." He finally said before pointing at her with his fingers holding his cigarette."About your association with the leader of the Peaky Blinders."
"It is in the private sphere."
George grimaced, humming in objection."You are a public figure now. So your privacy isn't really any more."
"Where are you getting at in this case?" Adele snapped sharply.
If he brought Thomas into this conversation it was no small feat. He wanted to get something out of it. Hence why Adele had always had reservations about her affair with Thomas fookin' Shelby. Either they would kill each other or their association would end up killing them.
"I see. You are sensitive on the subject." Recognized George."If it may give you any reassurance, I have always been fascinated by members of the lower class who manage to rise up in society."
"Obviously. It's always easier to tell when you're born with a silver spoon in your mouth."Adele conceded contemptuously."The rich love to look down on the weaker-classes, as you say."
"You could also have gotten out of that class if your mother hadn't run away."
"But if that was the case, we wouldn't be here discussing."
George nodded clearly amused by Adele's wit."Indeed. Your life would be very different."
"Then what's the point of talking about a hypothetical situation?"
George was silent as he brought his cigarette to his lips again before watching her intently. He inhaled the smoke from his cigarette one last time before suddenly leaning in his seat to crush his cigarette in the ashtray.
"See, I have a lot of contacts in London. Some are in very high places. And lately there has been a lot of unrest with this civil war looming over Ireland."
"Yeah? How does this relate to our company?"
"The relationship is not so much with the company but rather with its manager."
Adele frowned."What do you mean?"
"That firebomb attack in central London was your boyfriend's doing and you know it."George continued seriously this time.
Adele cocked her head in objection."I still don't see how this concerns me."
"You plan to ignore this relationship." He realized in a second thought."Even though it might benefit us."
Adele immediately let out an incredulous snort."Sorry, are you trying to convince me to have a relationship with Thomas Shelby?"
"Isn't that what you want?"
"What can that do to you?"She challenged."How does this affect you?"
"Know that I am an ambitious man, Miss. Lancaster. " George Maxwell warns."I have always viewed your arrival favorably. You have new ideas. Our profits have tripled since your arrival. However, things have taken a turn for the worse since you mixed up work and romance. I just want you to continue to thrive in this business."
Adele paused this time as she fully realized the stature of the man in front of her. So that was his plan from the start. He wanted to maintain her to serve his best interests. He didn't care who was in charge of the company. Hell, it could be Thomas for whatever he cared about. Besides, that was what he openly proposed. As long as he continued to collect his interests.
She cleared her throat doubtfully."So if I understand correctly, you want to help me in the hope that I will help you in return."
"I think this is called a loan for return."
Adele watched the man in silence for a moment before nodding her head."I guess that deserves some thought."
George Maxwell smirked before nodding eagerly.
Whatever he was planning to do didn't bode well for the future. Especially if he was prepared to throw gang affairs into the balance.