Chapter 695

The woman was clearly just waking up, her state mirroring the other female at the door. She draped herself over Adrian Prescott's shoulders with suggestive familiarity. "Adrian, who's there?"

Adrian flinched violently, shoving her away like she'd burned him.

"What's wrong?" the woman slurred, blinking in confusion.

His face drained of color. "Get inside. Now."

He pressed his lips into a thin line, moving toward the doorway when Natalie Beaumont's icy voice cut through the tension.

"Get dressed. Meet us in the lobby."

Her tone was frighteningly neutral.

Evelyn Sinclair doubted any woman could remain composed after witnessing such a scene.

Natalie turned on her heel and left without another word.

Evelyn followed, glancing back to see Lucas Sterling still rooted in place, his glacial stare boring into Adrian.

Natalie commandeered the hotel's business center to print the documents.

Within ten minutes, they waited in the opulent lobby.

Adrian appeared, impeccably dressed as always, though his ashen complexion betrayed his exhaustion. The dark circles under his eyes spoke of a night spent in reckless indulgence. His gaze darted nervously. "Where's Natalie?"

Evelyn crossed her arms. "She'll be here. Sit."

Public confrontations were beneath them, though Evelyn's fingers itched to slap the smirk off his face. The moment Adrian's knees touched the chair, Natalie returned with crisp paperwork.

He sprang up like an electrocuted puppet. Before he could launch into excuses, Natalie thrust the documents forward. "Sign."

Adrian's face contorted when he recognized the termination contract.

Natalie had built Adrian's career from nothing - transforming an unknown into an international runway sensation. He was her crown jewel. Yet she was discarding him without hesitation.

"Nat, this happens all the time in our industry—" Adrian began, but Lucas moved like lightning.

He slammed Adrian's face into the marble table with a sickening crack. Blood gushed from Adrian's nose as Lucas twisted his collar. "I believe she said sign it."

Adrian wiped at his ruined face futilely. The Stanton name alone made Lucas untouchable, let alone his own formidable reputation. Resistance was pointless.

With trembling hands, Adrian scrawled his signature. Natalie tucked the papers away with clinical efficiency. "Congratulations. You're free." Her smile could frost hell. "I've already replaced you for the VOGUE Runway show."

Adrian gaped. "That's impossible! They'd never accept a last-minute substitution!"

This was the fashion world's most prestigious event - models vetted through months of grueling selections.

Natalie's laugh was razor-sharp. "Watch me."