Elisa Fox snapped out of her shock, her expression hardening into something cold. "What? You think just because you've hung around me for three years, you're suddenly part of the upper class?" She tilted her chin up. "You're nothing but a kept man, Adam. Have some self-awareness."

I didn't waste a single word on her.

I turned on my heel to leave.

Kevin stepped into my path, blocking the doorway.

I shoved him aside hard enough to make him stumble. "Elisa used a breakup to threaten me. Now that we've broken up, I have no reason to tolerate you." My voice dropped. "A good dog doesn't block the road."

Kevin regained his balance, his eyes locking onto the box in my arms. "I suspect you're stealing something! Open that box. I want to see what's inside!"

Inside sat a jade pendant I had carried since childhood—the token that had allowed me to prove my identity to the Mason family. After acknowledging my heritage, I had signed a three-year agreement with Elisa's mother. To avoid exposing myself prematurely, I had kept the pendant hidden away.

My silence only fed his arrogance.

He lunged forward, snatching the box from my grip before I could react.

*Crash.*

He flung it onto the floor. The lid popped open. The jade pendant tumbled out, skittering across the hardwood.

Kevin pointed at it, triumphant. "Mason! I knew your hands were dirty! I caught you red-handed—trying to steal valuables!"

Elisa walked over. She didn't even glance at the heirloom on the floor. Her gaze remained fixed on me, cold and imperious. "If you don't want me to send you to prison for theft, get down on your knees and clean this up. As long as you behave, I might pretend this never happened."

I looked at the two clowns standing before me.

*Idiots.*

"Elisa Fox." My voice came out flat, devoid of emotion. "Instead of threatening me, maybe you should check on your so-called 'bestie.' Does he really have the capability to save your dying company?"

Kevin's face went white. "Mason, what the hell is that supposed to mean?"

I ignored him and walked straight downstairs.

Behind me, Elisa's voice rose to a shrill scream. "Adam Mason! If you dare walk out that door, don't expect to come back! You can wait for the police to drag you away!"

I waved a hand dismissively without looking back.

The sunlight hit my face as I stepped outside. A black sedan with a chauffeur was already waiting at the curb.