Chapter 7 You Dared to Proposition Her?

Eden's POV

I opened my eyes. Adrian was standing there. His blue eyes were flashing with anger, his jaw clenched tightly.

He pushed Cloe aside and pulled me into his arms. I trembled in his embrace, still reeling from what had just happened.

"Eden! Are you okay?" Adrian asked.

My panic faded and my heart raced. I looked at his worried expression and broad shoulders. Just moments ago, I thought I was about to be beaten up like in high school, but he stepped in to protect me.

"I... I'm fine," I said, wiping away my tears.

Maxim rushed over, looking a bit confused.

Adrian glared at his twin. "Where were you? You were supposed to watch over her," he said coldly.

Maxim looked away. He wouldn't meet Adrian's eyes. I remembered seeing him with the blonde saleswoman earlier.

His avoidance seemed to confirm that something had indeed happened between them. Even though I was just their mate, his absence still left me feeling a bit down.

I looked around. Everything had changed. The saleswoman who had witnessed me being bullied was now staring wide-eyed at us, filled with panic and fear.

Chloe was glaring at Adrian and Max, seemingly drawn in by the twins' handsome looks. Jack was squinting at them, as if assessing whether they posed a threat.

The sales lady turned pale. "Mr. Silverstone, I'm so sorry. I didn't handle this right..."

Jake's face went white at the name. The influence and prestige of the twins were even greater than I had imagined.

Adrian said coldly, "Quiet."

He turned to me. "Eden, what happened?"

Before I could answer, Cloe jumped in, "We're just old classmates!" She put on a fake smile and eyed Adrian and Maxim like prizes. "You two look so young. You must be very successful businessmen."

I was disgusted. She was just insulting me, and now she was flirting with my "protectors."

Adrian glared at Cloe. "Shut up."

Cloe stepped back with her fake smile still frozen.

I took a deep breath. "They recognized me. They said bad things. They said I could only afford stuff here by... doing things I shouldn't." My voice was quiet. I didn't mention high school. That was too painful.

"Then Jake offered to pay me to... work for him," I said quietly.

Adrian's face darkened. He turned to the store manager. "Get the security footage. Now."

Cloe's face turned white. Jake started fidgeting. The sales lady looked ready to faint.

"This is just a small mix-up," Cloe said, panicky. "We don't need to make a big deal of this."

"I was just joking, sir," Jake added.

Adrian ignored them. He told the security guards, "Keep them all here. Nobody leaves until I see the footage."

The guards blocked the exits. Adrian asked for Cloe and Jake's info, then made a call, "I need everything on the Matthews and Porter families."

Maxim helped me sit down and gave me water. I didn't want them to see me being humiliated and too afraid to fight back.

The manager brought a laptop with security footage. We gathered around the table to watch.

The video showed Maxim leaving with the blonde sales lady after Adrian left. Adrian glanced at Maxim, who lowered his head in guilt.

Next, I was alone in the fitting room. The sales lady treated me rudely. Adrian's fingers tapped on the table. Then Cloe and Jake appeared and started bullying me.

"Your parents abandoned you because they knew you would be a worthless slut!" Cloe's voice was clear.

"Work for me instead, I'll pay more than your old man," Jake said with a leer.

I felt ashamed watching this. Everyone could see my weakness and fear. I was embarrassed. Would they think I was useless?

The video then showed Adrian pushing Cloe aside and helping me. I felt better seeing that.

After the video ended, the room was tense. Maxim's face was red. His fists were clenched tight.

Suddenly, he punched Jake in the face. Jake fell to the floor. I jumped in shock.

"Maxim!" Adrian shouted.

Maxim grabbed Jake's throat and lifted him up. "You dare talk to her like that?"

Jake struggled. His face turned purple. He clawed at Maxim's hand. I stepped back, afraid Maxim might turn into a wolf.

Adrian put his hand on Maxim's shoulder. "Enough. Let him go. We have better ways."

Maxim let go. Jake fell to the floor, coughing and gasping.

Adrian looked calm but scary. "I checked your backgrounds. Interesting." He looked at Cloe. "Miss Matthews, you're a prostitute at the club. You sell sex for luxury items."

Cloe went white. "That's not true!" Her voice was weak.

Jake turned to Cloe in shock. "I thought you were rich! You said your dad was a CEO!"

"Jake, I can explain," Cloe cried, but Jake backed away from her.

"You called her a slut," Jake pointed at me. "What are you? A fancy hooker?"

I couldn't believe it. Cloe, who was so cruel to me in school, was exposed. She was exactly what she accused me of being. And Jake, who helped bully me, was turning on her. All those years of pain seemed like a sick joke now.

Adrian spoke coldly. "Tomorrow, everyone will know what you really are. They probably won't want you back at the fancy club. If you're into that kind of thing, maybe try your luck at some more down-market joints."

Cloe begged. "No... please... I'll do anything..."

I'd never seen anyone break down like this. I felt satisfied. Cloe probably felt this way when she saw me cry.

"Mr. Porter," Adrian turned to Jake, "your father's company is under investigation for tax fraud. The tax office will get a tip soon."

Jake's face went gray. "We'll go broke... my father will kill me..."

"Your father will be busy avoiding jail," Adrian said calmly.

Jake fell to his knees. "Mr. Silverstone, please don't..."

They looked weak and pathetic, just like I used to. I didn't feel happy though. I felt afraid. I realized Adrian and Maxim could ruin anyone's life, including mine. What if I made them angry someday?

Adrian turned to the sales lady in the corner. "No store will hire you from now on. Any shop that does is against me."

The sales lady nearly fainted. "But I need this job..."

The manager cut her off. "Pack your things. Leave now."

Adrian asked about the blonde sales lady. Maxim said quietly, "Already handled."

Handled? What did that mean? Wasn't he flirting with her?

After they left, only we three and the manager remained.

The manager stood nearby, wringing his hands nervously. "Mr. Silverstone, we would never allow this behavior. This was our mistake."

"Yes, it was," Adrian said. "I hope next time there won't be such a mistake."

"Send these clothes to this address," he handed the manager a card. "Bill me directly."

"Yes, Mr. Silverstone. I'm sorry about today."

Adrian looked at me. "Let's go."

I nodded, feeling suddenly tired. I could barely stand.

Maxim took my arm. "It's okay, little wolf."

Adrian kept his arm around me.

Back at the apartment, Adrian ordered dinner. We ate in silence. I was still processing everything that happened today. Maxim tried to make conversation. Adrian watched me carefully.

After dinner, I went back to my room to take a bath. The hot water helped my tired body.

Suddenly, I heard the door open and looked up. Both twins stood in the doorway. Maxim leaned against the door. He smiled. Adrian stood behind him. His face was unreadable.

"Room for two more?" Maxim winked.