Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 188: Standing Trial

Adrian's POV

Tina crossed her arms and gave me a glare cold enough to freeze July. "Yeah, it has."

There was a pause. Then she tossed her hair over her shoulder and added, "Just got back from Madrid, actually. A much-needed escape. Sun, sangria, and absolutely no drama."

I chuckled lightly, brushing off the jab. "Sounds perfect."

"Mm," she hummed flatly. "It was."

Hoping to soften the mood, I said, "You look great. I didn't expect to see you in the corporate world."

She arched an unimpressed brow. "Right back at you. Never took you for the office type."

I gave a casual shrug. "Yeah, well. Family business. I'm working here now."

"I heard," she replied coolly, her eyes narrowing just enough to add weight to her words.

My gaze drifted to Clairessa. She was suddenly engrossed in her laptop, fingers tapping aimlessly-clearly pretending to be busy after I'd caught her mid- conversation.

I refocused on her. "I was hoping to steal you for lunch. Just fifteen minutes." Clairessa blinked, then shook her head with a faint sigh. "Adrian, I don't know... it's your first day. You should be settling in, not sneaking off with me."

"I'm not sneaking," I grinned. "Just taking a well-earned break after an exhausting first day. You should too."

She gave me a pointed look. "It's barely past two. Shouldn't the well-earned break come at the end of the day?"

A slow, smug smile tugged at my lips. "Well, considering my dad owns the place, I figure I get to decide when break time is. Perks of being an only child."

She groaned, clearly irritated. "God. You're insufferable. Do you have to sound so proud of it?"

"Can't help it." I shrugged nonchalantly. "Especially if it gets me a few minutes with you."

Before she could answer, I reached for her laptop-not to close it, just to slide it aside so I could see her better. That's when something caught my eye.

A folder sat on the desk, half-hidden beneath another file. I hadn't meant to look, but the names printed in fine lettering drew my attention:

Gabriel Storm

Clairessa Hartwood

Something about the way it was formatted stirred my curiosity. I leaned slightly, trying to catch more-just a bit closer-

But Jess reached over, casually but intentionally, and slid the folder beneath a stack of papers as if it were nothing.

it, but before I

hungry too. Let's

shot her a brief glare, but Jess just smiled as she tucked the folder into the desk drawer-one of my dad's, I

grabbed her bag and what I assumed was Clairessa's phone. The two of them exchanged a

just go,"

needed to hear. I shoved the lingering questions aside for now —and for the first time, I was actually grateful Jess

It was just a short walk from the office, but felt like a whole

brow. "Adrian... isn't this a little too fancy for

either the best or

problem anymore. I knew my dad would restore

hostess with soft brunette curls and a sleek red dress approached us, her smile warm

We're excited

Adrian," I

as well. Shall I seat you and your friends at your father's reserved table?" she asked with a subtle

nodded, a

have a dad with the kind of pull that came with

a place

the room, and we

We ordered.

We ate.

the talking. Clairessa barely answered, offering only brief smiles in

was still closed off, guarded, not

change that... determined to

keeping her attention mostly on Jess, whispering back and forth like I wasn't

eating, the

me, her expression suddenly all business-like she'd come here

set her wine glass down and met my gaze head-on. "So, Adrian. What exactly do you want from my

"I want her

uneasy with where the conversation was

cheating on her with...

tried, keeping my voice even,

are we supposed to believe

feel it. And I'll do whatever

leaned back with

going to be a

now that my

got options-and that she can do better

me. She was clearly overplaying her role

between