Unexpected Fortune: My Ordinary Husband's Secret Empire

Was Adelina being forced to marry someone against her will?

With his brows drawn tight, Colton tried to piece together the situation from the little he knew.

A grim possibility flickered through his mind, but he dismissed it almost immediately.

The Shaw family held too much power and prestige to pawn off their daughter in some crude marriage-for-status scheme.

It had to be nothing more than a bad dream.

Still, a cold unease crept up his spine.

Colton never left things to chance. He silently decided to have Jorge look into it first thing tomorrow.

Just as he started to ease his wrist free, a sudden sting scratched his skin. "Don't go… please… please…" Adelina's voice was soft but desperate.

Pain and confusion flickered across her face as she mumbled the plea again, clinging to Colton even in her sleep, as if terrified he might vanish.

A trace of warmth—something no one had ever seen on his normally cold face—softened Colton's expression.

Finally, he bent down and carefully gathered her into his arms, carrying her into the bedroom with surprising gentleness.

By morning, sunlight spilled through the faded curtains, coaxing Adelina awake.

The quiet house held no sign of Colton. She turned her head toward the yellowed wall clock hanging above the doorway.

The hands pointed past ten.

Colton was probably already at the hotel by now, punching in for work.

Wait...

It was already past ten!

Her pulse spiked as realization hit. She had an appointment with the Shaw family this morning to negotiate Dina's medical expenses.

Adelina pushed herself upright, fingers tightening around her phone as she reread the address Michael had sent—Apex Hotel, VIP suite.

A familiar knot of dread tightened in her chest.

The memory of nearly being trapped by Lorenzo at that very hotel flickered through her mind, souring her mood.

Still, for the sake of Dina's medical bills, she forced herself to go.

The moment she stepped into the suite, Michael's hand shot out, clamping around her wrist. He shoved her down in front of the main seat on the sofa with no hint of gentleness.

"Adelina, you're late," he barked, his voice sharp as a blade. "Apologize to Mr. Clark!"

Seated in the center of the sofa was a man whose very presence commanded the room.

His tailored designer suit fit like armor, hair slicked back with not a strand out of place. His handsome yet icy face might have passed for charming, but those sharp, predatory eyes brimmed with malice, sending a chill up Adelina's spine.

Recognition struck like a blow. Bruce from the Clark family.

His lewd gaze crawled over her, dissecting every inch as if she were merchandise on display.

After a leisurely pause, he dragged his fingers along his clean-shaven chin, a crooked smile curving his lips. "Well, well. Who would've guessed the Shaw family was hiding such a pretty little thing?"

Then, with a lazy flick of his wrist, he crooked a finger at Adelina. "Come here."

Adelina had no intention of getting anywhere near Bruce; every instinct in her screamed to keep her distance.

Before she could step back, Michael shoved her forward with a hard push.

"Answer Mr. Clark when he speaks to you!" he yelled, his patience long gone.

His grip bit into her arm, and she stumbled into Bruce's chest, swallowed by the sharp, overpowering scent of his cologne.

Heat and revulsion crawled up her throat. She straightened immediately, brushing off his touch with trembling hands, and glared at Michael. "I came to talk about my grandmother's medical bills," she snapped through gritted teeth. "Not to discuss some ridiculous marriage with you."

Michael's expression darkened in an instant. "You little brat, what bullshit are you spouting!"

He spun toward Bruce, forcing a fawning smile. "Mr. Clark, please don't take her words to heart. I've spoiled this daughter of mine far too much."

Bruce let out a low chuckle, rising slowly from the sofa. His tall frame loomed as he closed the distance between Adelina and him. "No worries," he drawled, the corner of his mouth curling. "I've never come across a woman with such a fiery streak before. Fascinating."

Without a hint of hesitation, he curled an arm around Adelina's waist and drew her closer, his other hand moving toward the hem of her dress.

"Stop! Dad, don't let him do this!" Adelina struggled against his hold, her voice trembling as she turned toward Michael with desperate eyes.

She clung to a last shred of hope—that he'd protect her.

But Michael didn't move. His expression stayed eerily calm, his eyes flashing a silent order for her to obey.

Bruce's hand slid higher, the touch predatory, sending a cold shiver up her spine.

Panic wrapped around her throat as her pulse thudded painfully in her ears. Then, before the nightmare could deepen, the door burst open with a thunderous crash.