Chapter 139
Come in, Adam said, his voice at as ice. His wheelchair blocked the doorway, eyes already looking past Samantha like the was barely there.
The warmth he’d shown around Irene and the kids? Gone. In its place sat the CEO that made boardrooms go silent.
Samantha’s smile flickered but held as she stepped inside, knuckles white against her designer bag, her heels clicking awkwardly on the hardwood.
Thomas hovered nearby, eyebrow slightly raised. Seriously? No call ahead? Again? Does she think Adam sits around waiting for surprise
visitors?
Once inside, Adam cut straight to the chase, not bothering with small talk. “I’m busy. Let’s get to the point. His words clipped the air between them.
A flash of hurt crossed Samantha’s face before she recovered, pulling out a folder with hands that weren’t quite steady. “I drafted this myself,” she said, handing over the medical research proposal. Her eyes never left his face, searching for any hint of approval.
“The medical center experts already reviewed it and-” Her voice trailed off as Adam’s expression darkened with each page he turned.
Thomas slipped in with two steaming cups, set them down without a word, and vanished like a ghost.
Adam’s frown deepened as he flipped through the pages. Without looking up, he reached for his tea, blew once, and took a careful sip.
Watching him, Samantha grabbed her cup and took a big gulp–only to jerk back as the scalding liquid hit her tongue. Jesus! How does he drink that? She dabbed at her lips, trying to play it cool while her eyes watered.
Adam tossed the proposal onto the table like it was yesterday’s mail. This methodology is sloppy. The ethics documentation is nowhere near complete. The review board would laugh this out.” His voice could’ve frozen the tea in their cups. “Next time you want my time, bring something worth discussing.”
The color drained from Samantha’s face. “I’m so sorry,” she stammered, head dipping in apology. “I’ll fix everything. Thank you for pointing it out.”
She tucked the folder away but stayed planted in her seat, taking a deep breath before trying a different angle.
“Your mom mentioned you missed my birthday because of work.” She leaned forward, voice softening. “You shouldn’t push yourself so hard, you know.”
Adam’s only response was a noncommittal “Hmm,” his gaze drifting to the window, fingers tapping a silent rhythm on his cup. Why is she still here?
The silence stretched uncomfortably. Samantha soldiered on.
“What’s keeping you so busy lately?” She rushed to add, “I stopped by your mom’s for tea and she mentioned you haven’t been home in ages. Just curious, that’s all.”
“Work.” One word, et elaboration. His fingers now drumming faster on his armrest, patience clearly running thin.
Samantha’s perfect smile was starting to crack at the edges. She bit her lip and tried once more: “How about funch? We could grab something together.”
1/3
Chapter 139
“Can’t. Busy. Adam didn’t eveh look up from his tea.
“We could eat here,” she suggested, desperation sneaking into her voice.
Adam finally looked up, his expression stone cold. “Not convenient. Three syllables that might as well have been a door slammed in her face.
“Why not?” Samantha’s voice jumped an octave, her composure slipping as color rushed to her cheeks. Her nails dug into her palm. We practically grew up together! Our families have been friends forevert
Thomas stood nearby, nearly biting his tongue to keep quiet Seriously? How many ways does he need to say no before she gets the hint? Does she think she lives here or something?
Adam just set his cup down with a dull thud that echoed in the silence.
Thomas stepped forward, smoothing his expression. “Adam takes his meals at frene’s place now,” he explained with a neutral tone. “It really isn’t convenient.”
His face said one thing, his thoughts another: There’s barely enough blueberry pancakes for the boss with those three little monsters around. You definitely aren’t getting a seat at that table.
Samantha’s face went from pink to white in a heartbeat. “Adam, are you-” her voice trembled.
“Are we done here?” Adam cut her off, looking her dead in the eye for the first time. “If there’s nothing else, please leave. His finger jabbed the wheelchair control, backing up slightly–a universal sign for “get out.”
Thomas was already at her side, gesturing toward the door, his smile never reaching his eyes.
Samantha stood up like she’d been shocked, fumbling with her bag, face burning with humiliation. She stumbled toward the exit, trying to salvage what little dignity she had left.
Thomas practically marched her out, his polite smile fixed in place until the door clicked shut behind her.
Adam turned back to the window, his grip finally relaxing on the wheelchair armrests. This was his business – even his own parents never questioned him about it. He certainly didn’t need to explain himself to someone who was practically a stranger.
This Wright woman was completely out of line. If anything, the encounter only strengthened Adam’s resolve to shut down his parents‘ ideas about a match with the Wright family. Some things weren’t negotiable, and who he spent his time with was definitely
one of them.
Outside, Samantha stood frozen, fists clenched so tight her knuckles turned white. “No one treats me like this,” she whispered, blinking back tears of pure rage.
In her car, she took one last look at the villa, hatred burning in her eyes. “It’s that woman’s fault, she hissed, slamming her hand against the leather seat. “That damn Irene.”
Back at her medical research center, Samantha stormed in and snapped at her assistant, “Find out everything about Irene. Every. Single. Detail.”
Her assistant flinched. “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, Samantha’s laugh was brittle as thin ice. “I’m just not about to let some random woman steal what’s rightfully mine. The Haven name belongs with me–and I’m not giving it up without a fight.”
