Chapter 1 What A Miserable Thief You Are!

• The enormous grand hall was decorated with a variety of interior designs, and shimmering fairy lights were strategically placed at each corner. The ceiling was vaulted, and golden chandeliers with cool lighting suspended from it. A long red carpet stretched from the entrance to the stage and people were seen hurrying to get a seat.
• In the background, there was soft, elegant music playing along with light chatter, giggles, and glass clinking. Men were dressed in smart suits, while women were adorned in gorgeous silk gowns with jewels and accessories that shimmered in the light.
• The gathering was attended only by wealthy and well-known people. Why not?
• It was a party hosted by the famous Sir Richard Williams, the CEO and manager of Williams group and the owner of one of the nicest restaurants in New York City. After his recent trip abroad, Richard made the decision to throw a party and invited all of his close friends and notable acquaintances.
• "Glad to see you Mr and Mrs Luther," Mr Richard greeted cheerfully and extended his arms for an embrace as soon as he sighted his friend approaching with his wife.
• "I'm so happy you made it to my party."
• "We wouldn't want to miss out, of course. It's been years since we became pals. What could cause us to miss an occasion this significant?" Mrs. Daphne Luther grinned as she spoke.
• The rich blush and makeup on her face had turned her cheeks pink, and her exquisitely fitted magenta gown, which highlighted her curves, gave her a youthful appearance.
• "How has your trip to Australia been?"
• Mr. Luther inquired as they all sat down on a big white couch that was topped with a wide table that featured a variety of elegant wines and cuisines.
• "Excellent, in my opinion. I've been able to complete a few projects there, present my firm to foreigners, and learn more about how to grow my food company." Richard gulps his drink after explaining and just then, his eyes narrowed as he gazed at the crowd as if spotting something fishy.
• "Isn't that your daughter, Valerie?" Mr Richard asked, his face fixed on the young couple approaching.
• "Yes, that's our daughter and urh… h-her husband, Adrian." Mrs Daphne affirmed, her smile disappearing as soon as she sighted Adrian grinning and laughing as he escorted her daughter.
• The young couple were engaged in a deep conversation with their hands entwining as they walked gracefully into the hall.
• "I still find it unbelievable that she would choose to be with someone like him. My son is wealthy, well-known, and well-off. He is also attractive and unlike that worthless guy who is unworthy of her,"
• "Your greatest error, Mr. Luther, was making her wed Adrian. It is a disgrace to both your daughter's and your own reputations."
• Mr Richard muttered to the Luthers before filling his glass with another french wine.
• "We were against matching them up as a couple but it was Late Sir Gerald's decision and we had no right to intervene or object to it.
• "Now that he is late, we'll do all we can to bring our daughter back to her senses. That fool has blinded her with his charm. I'll make sure I separate them before they even think of having a child."
• Mrs Daphne concluded, her fists clenched and her breath coming out in short spurts as she glanced at Adrian disgustingly as if he were a thorn on her skin and the source of her problems.
• "Good morning Sir Richard. What an honor to be here at your party." Valerie grinned and exchanged greetings with Sir Richard. They gave each other an air kiss while Adrian only bowed at him respectfully.
• After staring at their intertwined arms the entire time, Richard eventually raised his head to look at her.
• "Thanks for accepting my invite, you and your husband," he said with a smile, looking at both couples.
• Richard approached Valerie, lifting her jaw as he looked into her eyes and studied her features. "You look rather skinny and tanned. You don't look like the beautiful, flawless Valerie I once knew. Are you sure you're alright?"
• "Y-y-yes! I'm alright!" Valerie admitted, nodding immediately.
• As soon as Stanley, Richard's son, approached them, The Luthers and sir Richard left, allowing the young couples to engage in a chat with him.
• Stanley was in his Navy suit and cream tie, looking charming as ever except that he was a spoilt mannerless pervert who was so obsessed with Valerie, Adrian's wife.
• Adrian was a young man who was born and raised in Mexico. He lived with his single mother, Samantha, and his half sister, Maria. After working and hustling in Mexico, he was able to secure a work visa to the United States where he worked as a cleaner in factories.
• One fateful day, as Adrian hurried through the rain-soaked streets, he witnessed an elderly man struggling to breathe on the side of an intersection. Without a second thought, he rushed to his aid, saving him from a catastrophic accident. Little did Adrian know that this act of kindness would forever change his life.
• The man, as fate would have it, turned out to be none other than Gerald Luther, the beloved grandfather of Valerie Luther – powerful and enigmatic CEO, owning one of the high ranked restaurants in New York City. Sir Gerald, grateful beyond words, insisted on thanking Adrian personally and invited him into the opulent Luther mansion.
• There, Adrian became acquainted with his grandchildren; Valerie, and her two older brothers, Scott and Claus. Valerie was saved by Adrian once after she suffered severe blood loss in an accident. Adrian saved her life by donating his blood because he was the only perfect match and donor she needed.
• Sir Gerald chose to unite Adrian with his granddaughter, Valerie, in exchange for his kindness. Adrian would be able to obtain a green card, permanent residency, and official American citizenship through his marriage with her.
• Adrian succeeded in bringing his mother and half-sister to reside with him in the states.
• Adrian and his family have had a terrible time with his in-laws ever since Sir Gerald passed away. Since Sir Gerald, the man who arranged their marriage, is no longer alive, the Luthers poisoned Valerie's mind against Adrian, hoping she would wed Stanley– Sir Richard's only son. They had never approved of her marriage to Adrain in the first place.
• "Well-well-well! It's been a long time since I saw you Valerie." Stanley said, holding her hand and kissing it deeply. Despite her husband's close proximity, he tenderly touched and massaged it, unwilling to let go.
• Adrian stepped forward and took his wife's hand from him. He was aware of his advances towards her.
• "Stay calm idiot! I wonder how a poor person like you got invited to this occasion. You are way out of our league so I'm sure you must have made your way in forcefully." Stanley said with scorn as he faced Adrian.
• "Well, Stanley, that's enough. Since he is my spouse, he chose to accompany me even though I was invited alone." Valerie protested, holding hands with Adrian who looked furious as he stared at Stanley.
• "Valerie, it appears that you have a guard instead of a husband. He would never even let me speak to you because of how protective he is of you. What kind of a man is he?" Stanley scoffed as he smoothened his long blonde hair which revealed the golden earring and tattoo in his left ear.
• "It's only because we're in public that makes me want to maintain my composure. Please be respectful if you want me to treat you the same way as I've had enough of your insults." Gritting his teeth and balling his hands, Adrian retorted.
• "It appears that you desire to engage in combat with me, don't you? It won't take a minute for my guards to humiliate you and throw you out of here like the wretched dog you are." Stanley teased with a smirk as he watched the rage on Adrian's face.
• "How dare you call me a dog?"
• "Don't try to threaten me with my statement, Adrian. Aren't you a poor crumb who depends on his in-laws to survive?. I wonder how you manage to have a wife when you can't even feed yourself." Stanley teased him again, his laughter like an irritation to Adrian's ear.
• Valerie took Adrian by the hand and led him somewhere else when she saw the anger on his face. They sat on a couch, and she consoled him, seeing how angry and ashamed he was.
• Adrian became disinterested in the party's activities as it continued. He never wanted to come in the first place because he knew he would be mistreated by them, but he had no choice but to comply with his wife's request.
• ***
• The celebration was coming to an end, and after a while, people started to leave. Adrian turned to Valerie and proposed their departure. A red light shined in the hallway, making a loud, siren-like sound as they were ready to head outside.
• "Intruders. We have intruders!" One of the guards yelled immediately, causing Sir Richard to stand abruptly from his chair.
• "What do you mean, intruders?" Sir Richard asked, his face conveying a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
• "The alarm indicates that some gifts have been stolen at the warehouse. We developed the alarm for security concerns, so we may be alerted when an item disappears. No one leaves this hall as we have to find the thief," Stanley emphasized, drawing gasps from the audience.
• Everyone raised their hands as they were being searched. Adrian was in a hurry to leave with Valerie but Stanley walked up to him confidently with a smirk on his face.
• "Why the rush? Do you think you are truly innocent and shouldn't be searched?"
• "Ppff! What do you mean? Just search me if you want. I'm leaving as it is and I don't have much time to waste." Adrian said confidently and some guards extended their hands and reached for his pockets.
• To everyone's amazement, the guard brought out a golden rollet wristwatch, a diamond ring, and a legendary eye patch which was worth a total of Ten million dollars.
• "Th-those are mine because they have my signature on them. I have them kept in my warehouse and I'm amazed at how you have them." Gazing at the objects discovered in Adrian's pocket, Sir Richard exclaimed, his eyes wide and enraged.
• Adrian couldn't even form a word as his eyes grew wide with disbelief.
• "This means only one thing," Richard emphasized, gritting his teeth as he turned to face him with a disdainful expression.
• "You're the thief!"