Chapter 207
The door to Adam’s study swurf open without a sound. Darkness filled the room except for the fire’s orange glow dancing across the walls. Adam sat still as stone, facing the window that overlooked the garden between his place and Irene’s. The concert’s melody played in his head–until reality crashed back in.
Two security guards entered, dragging a blindfolded man between them. The photographer’s camera hung around his neck like a useless trophy, its memory card long gone. His earlier protests had given way to nervous silence.
“Got him,” one guard said quietly.
Adam didn’t turn. “Take it off.”
The guard yanked the blindfold away. Blinking hard, the man’s face twisted with indignation.
“You can’t just grab people off the street! I’m press! I’ll sue you for His voice died as Adam pivoted around.
The man stumbled back, his face going pale. The wheelchair didn’t weaken Adam Haven’s power one bit. If anything, seeing that much authority from someone in his position made him twice as scary.
“Well,” Adam said, voice as soft as a whisper. “Looks like you know who I am.”
The photographer’s knees gave out. He collapsed onto the rug, sweat already beading on his forehead despite the chill.
“Mr. Haven, I was just-” he stammered, gaze dropping from Adam’s icy stare.
The room went quiet except for wood popping in the fireplace. Adam watched the man like a hawk watching its prey.
“Who hired you?” The question floated in the air, quiet but dangerous.
The photographer opened his mouth. Closed it. Tried again.
Thomas stepped from the shadows, his usually friendly face hardened. “Answer him.”
“I was just following a tip about-”
“Let’s not waste time,” Adam cut in, tapping a single finger against his armrest. “Who paid you to follow Dr. Sterling and me
tonight?”
The way Adam said “Dr. Sterling” wasn’t by chance. The photographer’s eyes went wide as it clicked.
“Anna Sterling,” he blurted, survival instinct overriding any loyalty. “She reached out yesterday. Wanted photos of Dr. Sterling–Dr. Joy–looking…compromised.” He swallowed audibly. “She specifically mentioned you.”
Something flashed in Adam’s eyes–there and gone in a heartbeat. But Thomas, who’d worked with him for years, knew that look. It was the calm before a storm.
“The photos,” Adam said. “Where are they now?”
“Already sent a few her–just from the concert entrance. You giving your jacket to Dr. Sterling.” Words tumbled ou “Nothing juicy, I swear! Just you guys talking close. That’s all I got.
er now.
A ghost of a smile touched Adam’s lips. “And the rest?”
7
‘On my backup at home. I was supposed to follow you both all week
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Chapter 207
Adam leaned forward slightlyYou checked Anna out before taking her money, right? Being a pro and all.”
The shift caught the photographer off guard. “I, uh–yeah, basic background.”
“Tell me.”
“There was this thing during her college years. Design plagiarism. She stole another student’s entire fashion portfolio and claimed it as her own. When the student complained, Anna somehow flipped the script—made the victim look like the thief.”
Adam’s eyes narrowed. “The student’s name?”
“Montgomery. Bella Montgomery.” He looked surprised at his own memory. “Poor girl lost it afterward. Tried killing herself when she got expelled and cyber–bullied. Someone buried the whole thing.”
“Interesting.” Adam’s tone revealed nothing, but a calculating gleam it his eyes. “Anything else worth mentioning?”
“No–that’s the main dirt I remember. Years ago now.”
Adam’s eyes narrowed slightly as he processed this information, then shifted his attention back to Thomas.
“Digital team checked his devices yet?”
As the photographer watched this exchange with growing confusion, Thomas nodded.
“Team checked it out,” Thomas said. “Photos hit Anna’s email about an hour ago. Just like he said–lousy shots of you guys at the entrance. Nothing juicy at all.”
“Perfect,” Adam said, surprising Thomas. “Let her think she’s got something. Just what I wanted.”
“You saw this coming?”
“Anna’s whole life is built on her fake Sterling identity. Irene shows up and threatens to knock down her house of cards.” Adam’s voice stayed cool and steady. “Of course she’d hit back, especially after everyone found out about Dr. Joy. A juicy scandal would be perfect timing.”
Adam moved to his desk, tapping his computer awake. “This Montgomery girl… Looks like Anna’s been stealing more than just the Sterling name.”
“Want us to dig?”
“Everything. Bella Montgomery’s whole story–proof, witnesses, school stuff, old social media posts. If Anna wrecked before, she left footprints. Track them down.”
Thomas nodded, making notes on his tablet.
“And our friend here?” Thomas asked with a subtle nod toward the photographer.
someone’s life
“Let him think about his career choices for a while,” Adam said coolly. “Make sure he understands what happens if he keeps working
for Anna.”
The photographer paled even further as two guards moved to stand beside him.
Thomas hesitated. “Should we tell Irene about this?”
Adam looked toward the window, where moonlight outlined her house. His hard features softened just a bit as he recalled her smile
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Genius Kids‘ Scheme: Claiming Daddy’s Billionaire Empre
Chapter 208
