Chapter 311
“Uncle Adam, you were amazing!” Lucas bounced around Adam’s wheelchair, his energy undiminished by the sleepless night. “How’d you know where Sparkle was hiding?”
Adam’s usual sharp edges softened as he took in the kids‘ animated faces. The worried exhaustion that had haunted them yesterday had vanished, replaced by the kind of joy that only comes after fear turns to relief.
Alex pushed his glasses up, trying to sound grown–up despite his excitement. “Thomas said you kept the search going all night.”
Lily leaned in, fingers curling around Adam’s armrest. “You didn’t give up on Sparkle even when it got dark.”
Adam shrugged it off. “Said I’d find him, didn’t I?”
The triplets exchanged quick glances as Adam’s tablet buzzed repeatedly. Even lost parrots couldn’t stop the endless tide of business demands.
Alex, always the perceptive one, caught on first. “We should go,” he said, elbowing Lucas subtly. “Sparkle needs to rest, and-”
“And Uncle Adam’s phone is having a meltdown,” Lucas finished, eyeing the vibrating tablet.
“Plus we need to parrot–proof the cage,” Lily added seriously. “No more great escapes.”
They headed for the door, but Lily paused to flash Adam one last bright smile. He watched them go, the warmth in his eyes cooling with each step they took. By the time they disappeared from view, his expression had reset to default mode–sharp, focused, ready for whatever needed handling next.
Adam stared at the empty doorway for a moment before turning his attention to the stack of reports waiting for him.
Thomas rapped his knuckles lightly on the doorframe. Adam nodded once–his minimalist equivalent of “come in“-and his assistant stepped inside.
“Those kids are crazy about you,” Thomas remarked, glancing toward the window where the children’s car was pulling away.
Adam’s finger tapped once against his armrest–acknowledgment without elaboration. “Updates?”
Thomas straightened reflexively. “We found Tommy Jackson’s hideout in Cloud City.”
“And?”
“He slipped through our fingers. Some kind of security system tipped him off before our team could move in.”
Adam’s fingers drummed a slow rhythm against his chair. “Details.”
“Cheap apartment in the south district, fake name on the lease. Our people barely made it into the building before
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Chapter 311
he bolted. Thomas hesitated, then added, “Could work in our favor, actually. He’s running scared now. If someone’s pulling his strings…”
“They’ll get sloppy,” Adam finished, his fingers stilling. “Your thoughts?”
“Keep tracking Jackson, but watch potential puppetmasters too. Everything points to the Wright family.”
Surprise flashed briefly across Adam’s face–not at the information, but at Thomas’s insight. “Good.”
Thomas fought back a small smile at the rare approval.
“Widen the net, but keep it quiet,” Adam instructed. “Focus on the Wrights, especially Samantha. And I need evidence that would hold up under scrutiny.”
The reality hung between them unspoken. Accusing the Wrights without solid proof would be a nightmare. They might not match Haven’s influence, but in medical circles, the Wright name opened doors that even money couldn’t. A hasty move would leave everyone bleeding.
“On it. I’ll handle the team myself,” Thomas assured him.
Adam turned toward the window, his voice dropping. “Upgrade security. Irene’s house and here.”
Thomas caught the subtle shift in his tone. “You think they might go after her or the kids?”
Adam’s gaze hardened. “Better safe than sorry. Those kids are special.” A heartbeat pause. “Irene is special.”
Thomas nodded, understanding this went far beyond business. “I’ll make it happen.”
“Anything you find, no matter how small-”
“Straight to you,” Thomas finished. “Always.”
Thomas slipped out of the room, already making mental notes of the security upgrades needed.
Adam wheeled to the windows. Silver City sprawled below, thousands of lights dotting the darkness like
earthbound stars.
His grip tightened on the armrests. He’d already lost enough. Not her too. Not those kids who’d somehow become
his kids.
Adam took a slow breath, his reflection staring back at him in the darkened glass. Behind his eyes, something
shifted–not just determination, but a quiet promise.
