Chapter 314
Adam flipped through Victor’s oposal, eyes scanning each page with practiced efficiency. His brow twitched, then furrowed deeper with each turn. Halfway through, his mind had already moved on to more pressing matters, like tracking down Tommy Jackson
He shut the folder and slid it back.
“Not happening.” Adam kept his tone casual but final. “Too many holes. Rework it from scratch.”
Victor’s smile vanished. “Excuse me?”
Adam tilted his head slightly fixing Victor of weariness passed behind his eyes, there and
“It’s smoke and mirrors,” Adam tapped the folder
that unlinking star that made even veteran execs squirm in their seats. A flicker
asking for champagne money for tap water results
nce. “No substance, no roadmap. And the budget?” He raised an eyebrow. “You’re
The room fell pin–drop quiet. Victor’s empty promises might fool a rookie, but Adam had weathered enough storms to spot a cash grab a mile away.
Victor’s face darkened like thunderclouds rolling in. Being dressed down by his nephew in front of everyone made his blood boil. His fingers dug into the armrest, knuckles white as paper.
In plain English?” Adam concluded, voice smooth as butter. “Not worth half what you’re asking.”
The unspoken It’s complete garbage hung in the air between them.
Adam briefly recalled his grandfather muttering once over chess: “Family and business mix like oil and water, boy.” The old man never
missed.
Everyone around the table suddenly found fascinating details in their notepads, determined not to make eye contact. These meetings always left them feeling like they’d wandered into someone else’s family feud.
Victor sat frozen, fury building behind his eyes. The holes in his proposal weren’t exactly subtle. His jaw clenched tight as he swallowed his rage, the bitter taste of powerlessness coating his tongue.
“One more thing,” Adam added, offhand as commenting on the weather. “That promise at the mansion? Fill those overseas gaps by month–end, or the money tap shuts off. For good.”
Victor’s expression flipped from anger to shock in a heartbeat. He sat rigid, caught red–handed. Adam had just aired his dirty laundry for everyone to see.
Little prick, his mind screamed, but something in Adam’s cool gaze kept his mouth shut. His nephew’s methods made sledgehammers look gentle, family ties or not.
“Fine!” The word exploded from Victor like a cork from a shaken bottle. He kicked the table leg, making water glasses dance. His chair screeched across the floor when he stood, the sound making everyone wince. His exit glare could’ve frozen flowing water.
C
“We’re done here,” Adam said, fingertips massaging his temple. Thomas appeared silently, wheeling him toward the door.
The executives traded glances and collectively exhaled, shoulders dropping. Nobody mentioned Victor’s obvious money grab–they just filed away the information and scattered.
Outside his office, Adam caught Thomas’s sleeve. “Quick update–how’s the Snow project looking?”
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“On track, Daily checks show green lights all around, Thomas confined, still heading for that sixty billion target.
Adam nodded, satisfied. “Any trace of that Tommy guy?
“Gone like a ghost. Every exit from town watched, Thomas replied. But something t brewing with the Wrights–Samantha especially.”
Adam’s expression sharpened. “Details.”
“Mystery calls at odd hours. Security suddenly beefed up overnight. iming’s fishy.”
“Keep eyes on them. Close.” Adam shifted in his chair. “Irene’s place secure?*
“New system finishing today. Complete upgrade.”
“Good. That’s all for now.”
As Thomas headed off, Adam turned toward his window. His fingers tapped restlessly as Victor’s stormy exit feplayed in his mind.
He took a deep breath, tension easing from his shoulders. He pulled out his phone, his expression softening instantly.
Treatment tonight? he texted Irene.
Her reply appeared moments later: Good progress. New parameters ready. Kids asking if dinner’s still on.
The corner of his mouth quirked up. Just wrapped up. See you at seven
He paused, then added: How’s Lily’s homework coming?
All done. Warning: she’s composed something “just for you.” Ear protection recommended.
Adam’s thumbs tapped out a rare bit of playfulness: Consider my ears warned and ready.
Dropping his phone into his pocket, the ice in his eyes melted considerably. Suddenly Victor’s tantrum seemed distant and unimportant. Business fights would always simmer, but somehow Irene and those kids had become his north star.
His gaze caught Sparkle’s photo on his desk–the triplets‘ gift–a reminder that beyond Haven’s cold walls, a different world waited for him.
The evening lights of Silver City winked on as darkness fell, turning the Luxury Vista club into a glowing hotspot for the city’s elite. Inside, the bass thumped and glasses clinked while Victor held court, surrounded by yes–men who hung on his every word.
With each compliment, his earlier frustration dulled. He swirled his drink, ego reinflating with every sip.
“Why should Marcus and his kid get all the power?” someone asked.
“Total favoritism if you ask me,” another chimed in.
“You’d run circles around that Adam kid. What does he know about the real world?”
Exactly. What does he know? Victor silently agreed. Punk kid rejecting my proposal. He knocked back his drink in one gulp, the burn matching his lingering anger.
As the night deepened, most of the group drifted toward the entertainment section, arms around women with practiced smiles. Victor waved off an invitation to join, his mind still churning with possibilities.
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Wright slid into the seat beside him, moving carefully like approaching a sleeping tiger. Word has it your nephew shot down your ideas. Perhaps the Wright family could offer a more… appreciative partnership?
Victor eyed him through his al hol haze, brain still sharp enough to recognize opportunity. The Wrights had been circling the Havens for years, desperate for connection.
“The Wrights, huh?” Victor smiled slowly, all teeth.
Wright squirmed under Victor’s stare but kept his eager smile plastered on. Even second–tier Haven family members commanded respect–the name alone opened doors throughout Silver City.
Seeing Wright practically groveling sparked satisfaction in Victor’s chest, washing away the last traces of anger at Adam.
He barked a laugh and slapped Wright’s shoulder hard enough to make him jump. “I like where this is going! Victor’s face flushed red, words slightly slurred.
Wright lit up like he hit the jackpot. “We’ll deliver whatever you need. The Wright family may not match Haven’s reach, but we’re resourceful where it counts.”
He refilled Victor’s glass, sliding it forward with a practiced gesture. Speaking of partnerships–your Walter isn’t spoken for yet, is
he?”
Victor paused mid–reach, instantly seeing through the clumsy matchmaking despite the alcohol. He studied Wright sideways, maintaining his poker face.
“Why do you ask?” The question hung between them.
Wright leaned closer, voice dropping. “Samantha’s my only daughter. Been thinking about her future… and ours.”
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