Striking A Deal

A muscle in Adam's jaw tightened as he glared at Stella, irritation simmering beneath his gaze. "What sort of nonsense question is that?" His tone cut through the air like a blade.

Stella took a step back, momentarily thrown off by his sudden outburst. She hadn't expected such a sharp reaction.

"I am the head of this family, Stella," Adam continued, voice laced with cold authority. "What gives you the right to question my decisions?"

Realizing he was on the edge of a full-blown tirade, Stella stayed silent, enduring his scolding without a word. Only when he finally turned on his heel to leave did she dare breathe again. But just as Adam rounded the corner into the main hallway, he collided with a passing waiter. The tray rattled, and a splash of leftover cocktails and champagne drenched his white shirt.