Ricardo Patterson felt a thrill of anticipation at his mother's revelation. He had never imagined his family had a connection with the legendary "Ultimate Bodyguard," Adan Bradley, a figure he had idolized during his childhood. This news sparked a burning desire to meet Adan. Patricia Patterson reminded Ricardo to ensure his staff treated Adan with the utmost respect. "Alright, Mom, I'll make sure of it," Ricardo assured her, as the excitement of Adan's impending arrival grew within him.
Understanding her son's hectic life, Patricia added reluctantly, "Okay, Ricardo, that's all I wanted to say. Take care of your work and remember to stay safe."
Ricardo nodded with a grin, "I know, Mom. No need to worry about me. I'll be careful. Goodbye."
As the screen dimmed, Ricardo softly repeated Adan's name, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Adan... things are about to get interesting."
Parker Franklin's voice suddenly echoed from outside the office, full of enthusiasm, "Ricardo, I found out why the chandelier fell!" Parker burst into the room unannounced, and Ricardo raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, couldn't you knock first?" Ricardo teased him.
"Okay, okay, I’ll step out and come back properly," Parker chuckled, pretending to leave.
With a slight eyebrow raise and a laid-back tone, Ricardo said, "Alright, just spill what you've found out."
Parker's demeanor turned serious as he explained, "I checked the chandelier. Someone messed with the top chain, removing a screw. It seems the cleaning crew was prepping the chandelier for your return, and that's when someone tampered with it."
Ricardo's expression grew serious. "Have you checked the list of cleaning personnel? Who was in charge of the chandelier?"
Parker shrugged. "I asked around, and they all claimed they didn't know each other well, assuming everyone was hired by the same company."
"Wasn't there a record of their personal details?" Ricardo was frustrated. It was mandatory for all staff to sign in at security due to the importance of the headquarters.
His frustration wasn't with his staff's oversight allowing an intruder, but their failure to follow protocol. Seeing Ricardo's irritation, Parker explained with a grin, "Don't worry. Of course, we have records. Who would dare ignore an order from Ricardo Patterson? But the culprit outsmarted us. They knocked out a legitimate cleaner after they’d signed in, then impersonated him to sneak in. We found the real cleaner in a dumpster, but luckily, he was just knocked out, not harmed."
Ricardo's tension eased a bit. He tapped his chin thoughtfully, "This assassin knows their stuff—not like those amateurs. But didn't anyone else notice something off?"
Parker replied, "No, everyone was busy with their tasks. The imposter was dealing with the chandelier, so nobody paid special attention."
With concern, Parker added, "You need to be cautious. This assassin isn’t just anyone. A simple slip could be deadly."
Ricardo waved off the concern with a casual smile, "Don’t worry. I’ve hired a professional bodyguard to tackle the assassin."
"A professional bodyguard?!" Parker was taken aback, rubbing his ear as if questioning his hearing. "Ricardo, am I hearing this right? You've always hated the idea of having someone guard you."
Ricardo's smile was self-assured. "You have to adapt to the situation. I don’t trust just anyone with my life, but this person is different. He’s the ‘Ultimate Bodyguard,’ someone I admire. I’m sure he can handle any so-called professional assassins."
Parker, who knew Ricardo well, was surprised at his decision to hire a bodyguard. "Someone trustworthy enough for that? Hard to believe."
Looking directly at Parker, Ricardo joked, "Aren't you someone I trust with my life?"
Parker laughed, "Hearing something like that from Ricardo Patterson? Are you buttering me up?"
Ricardo coolly replied, "If you don’t believe me, I can show you." Opening a drawer, he pulled out a sleek, ivory object resembling a small gun.
Parker's face drained. "Ricardo, is that what I think it is?"
Ricardo nodded, smiling. "Yes, it is. With the danger lurking, I need protection. Don’t worry, this weapon is registered legally."
Parker chuckled, "The Patterson influence can secure something like this in a city like London. Maybe I should get one too."
Ricardo's voice turned serious, "Do you think it's easy to get one of these? In a city with strict gun laws, you need strong connections."
"Just kidding," Parker raised his hands defensively, "I wouldn’t actually get one." Then, shifting back to the main topic, he asked, "So, who is this incredible bodyguard?"
Ricardo's face brightened, "He's supposed to arrive today. You'll see him soon—definitely unforgettable."
Ricardo gazed out the expansive glass window behind him, eyes narrowed with anticipation, eager for the dramatic moment to unfold.
At Adan Bradley's private residence, Malayah Smith awoke late, worn out from a sleepless night filled with worry. As she crawled out of bed, she noticed the pillow was damp. In the mirror, she saw her swollen, red eyes—a testament to the tears she’d shed and her deep frustration with the situation.
Stripping off her nightwear, Malayah stood bare, hoping the air would ease her tension. Resolving to face the day boldly, she decided to emulate Adan’s style if she was going to step into his shoes. She didn’t want to seem vulnerable or out of her element.
She rummaged through her bag, pulling out a black suit she had intended as a gift for Adan. Given yesterday’s events, she decided to keep it for herself. The suit fit reasonably well, even if a bit loose. Combined with shiny black shoes and sleek sunglasses, she finished her look with hair gel to keep her hair in place.
Though her hair wasn’t long, it did the job. After all, many artistic bodyguards these days embraced unique styles.
