Chapter 316
Victor sat alone in his office, city lights stretching to the horizon. H whiskey tasted better than Luxury Vista’s watered down garbage. Wright’s parting words about trene echoed in his head. Three children. A complicated past. The perfect weapon had just Janded in his lap.
He grabbed his phone, scrolling to a number few knew existed. “Need info on someone,” he said when his contact answered. ‘Irene Sterling. Everything–especially about three kids and any dirt in her past.”
The voice asked a question.
“How deep? Dig until you his hedrock, Victor replied, swirling his drink. “And completely off–books. Other Havens don’t hear about this–got it?”
After hanging up, Victor rolled toward the window, fingers trailing across his armrest–so similar to the chair his nephew used. Another connection, another reminder of what Adam had that should’ve been his.
“Let’s see what Miss Sterling’s hiding,” he murmured, his reflection smirking back from the darkened glass. “And how I can use it to finally knock Adam down a peg.”
His gaze drifted to his desk where Haven Enterprise’s org chart lay open, Adam’s name at the top. Victor’s finger landed heavily on the paper, right over his nephew’s printed name.
Your time’s running out, kid. Sooner than you think.”
The soft glow of Victor’s desk lamp dimmed as he shut down his computer. Across Silver City, another light burned late into the night–the warm illumination of Adam’s house.
Irene’s fingers worked the tight muscles of Adam’s legs. Nothing but equipment hums and steady breathing broke the silence between them.
“Right calf’s still wound up,” she murmured, touch professional but gentle. “Pushing too hard again?”
Adam didn’t answer right away, mind clearly elsewhere. The fight with Victor had left tension that even Irene’s skilled hands couldn’t fully erase.
She glanced up, noting the crease between his brows. “Bad day?”
“Just business,” he replied, his shorthand for topics he didn’t want to discuss.
Irene nodded, not pushing.
“Almost done,” she said, adjusting the equipment. “Your progress is honestly impressive. Better than I expected.”
The ghost of a smile touched his lips. “High praise from Dr. Sterling
As she worked, Adam watched her–the total focus in her eyes, the precise movements of her hands. With her, he didn’t have to be Adam Haven, CEO and family head. Here, he was just a man fighting to stand on his own two feet again.
His phone lit up on the table, Thomas’s name flashing with what was surely news about Tommy or Victor’s latest scheme. Adam deliberately looked away. Whatever crisis waited could survive another hour.
When Irene finally packed up, the tension in Adam’s shoulders had eased noticeably.
“Tomorrow, same time?” she asked, closing her bag.
1/3
Genius Kids Scheme: Claiming Daddy’s Billionaire Empre..
Chapter 316
Victor sat alone in his office, cry lights stretching to the horizon. whiskey tasted better than Luxury Vista’s watered down garbage. Wright’s parting words about Irene echoed in his head. Three children. A complicated past. The perfect weapon had just landed in his lap.
He grabbed his phone, scrolling to a number few knew existed. “Need info on someone,” he said when his contact answered. “frene Sterling. Everything–especially about three kids and any dirt in her past.”
The voice asked a question.
“How deep? Dig until you hit bedrock,” Victor replied, swirling his drink. “And completely off–books. Other Havens don’t hear about this—got it?”
After hanging up, Victor rolled toward the window, fingers trailing across his armrest–so similar to the chair his nephew used. Another connection, another reminder of what Adam had that should’ve been his.
“Let’s see what Miss Sterling’s hiding,” he murmured, his reflection smirking back from the darkened glass. “And how I can use it to finally knock Adam down a peg.”
His gaze drifted to his desk where Haven Enterprise’s org chart lay open, Adam’s name at the top. Victor’s finger landed heavily on the paper, right over his nephew’s printed name.
Your time’s running out, kid. Sooner than you think.”
The soft glow of Victor’s desk lamp dimmed as he shut down his computer. Across Silver City, another light burned late into the night–the warm illumination of Adam’s house.
Irene’s fingers worked the tight muscles of Adam’s legs. Nothing but equipment hums and steady breathing broke the silence between them.
“Right calf’s still wound up,” she murmured, touch professional but gentle. “Pushing too hard again?”
Adam didn’t answer right away, mind clearly elsewhere. The fight with Victor had left tension that even Irene’s skilled hands couldn’t fully erase.
She glanced up, noting the crease between his brows. “Bad day?”
“Just business,” he replied, his shorthand for topics he didn’t want to discuss.
Irene nodded, not pushing.
“Almost done,” she said, adjusting the equipment. “Your progress is honestly impressive. Better than I expected.
The ghost of a smile touched his lips. “High praise from Dr. Sterling.
As she worked, Adam watched her–the total focus in her eyes, the precise movements of her hands. With her, he didn’t have to be Adam Haven, CEO and family head. Here, he was just a man fighting to stand on his own two feet again.
His phone lit up on the table, Thomas’s name flashing with what was surely news about Tommy or Victor’s latest scheme. Adam deliberately looked away. Whatever crisis waited could survive another hour.
When Irene finally packed up, the tension in Adam’s shoulders had eased noticeably.
“Tomorrow, same time?” she asked, closing her bag.
1/3
Chapter 316
“Wouldn’t miss it. Adam reached out, lingers closing gently around her wrist. Thank you.
Two simple words carrying weight Beyond treatment, and both knew it. Irene’s smile softened, her free hand briefly covering his
“Get some rest,” she said. “Doctor’s orders,
After she left, Adam finally checked his phone, scrolling through Thomas’s messages about Victor meeting Wright and whispers of marriage alliances. His expression hardened, calculations running behind his eyes.
‘Let’s see what game they’re playing, he murmured, already plotting three moves ahead.
The night air carried Irene’s perfume–subtle notes of vanilla and something uniquely her as she walked to her door. Adam’s hand still felt warm on her wrist, A touch that lasted just a moment too long to be purely professional. She paused deliberately at the doorway, closing her eyes to savor the sensation, letting a wave of tenderness wash over her.
Meanwhile, Thomas slipped into Adam’s suite, tablet in hand. ‘Got something.
Adam looked up, instantly alert: Victor?”
“Met Wright at Luxury Vista. Lengthy conversation, very friendly. Lots of private security keeping people away.”
Adam’s eyes narrowed. “That’s new.”
“Then there’s this.” Thomas handed over the tablet, security footage playing. “Victor called his private investigator afterward.”
“Audio?”
“Too far, but our lip reader’s confident. He’s asking for information on Irene Sterling.”
Adam froze, just for a millisecond–a tell only Thomas would catch. Specific asks?”
“Background stuff mostly. But he specifically mentioned ‘three children‘ and ‘past scandal.”
Adam set the tablet down carefully, too carefully. “Interesting timing
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