Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 186: Hunting the Hunter

The door to Adam's study swung 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 to her—just from the concert entrance. You giving your jacket to Dr. Sterling." Words tumbled out faster now. "Nothing juicy, I swear! Just you guys talking close. That's all I got."

A ghost of a smile touched Adam's lips. "And the rest?"

"On my backup at home. I was supposed to follow you both all week."

Adam leaned forward slightly. "You 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 lit 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 someone's life 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.

"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 during the concert—that rare, unguarded moment of joy he found himself wanting to protect.

"No. She's dealing with enough. This one's on me."

Thomas knew that tone well. It was Adam's "nobody messes with what's mine" voice.

The full moon cast a watchful eye over both houses as Adam's focus turned from revenge to protection.

Across the garden, Irene sat on her daughter's bed, brushing Lily's hair. The little girl hummed concert fragments, breaking into excited commentary.

"Mom, did you see how that violin lady moved during the fast part?" Lily's hands mimicked the bow. "Like the music was coming from inside her!"

Irene smiled, feeling the day's weight finally lifting. "It was beautiful."

"Best part was when that song made you and Uncle Adam smile at the same time," Lily said, eyes bright with a child's direct observation. "You should smile more. Makes you prettier."

Irene laughed softly, tapping her daughter's nose. "Oh really?"

"Yep." Lily nodded with five-year-old seriousness. "Uncle Adam thinks so too. He watches you when you're not looking."

"Okay, tiny matchmaker." Irene tucked her under the covers. "Bedtime. Way past your curfew."

After kissing Lucas goodnight and checking on Alex, who was suspiciously glued to his computer, she headed downstairs. She made tea and curled up on the sofa, letting the evening's music replay in her mind.

For those few hours, she'd forgotten about hospitals and surgeries, about Rose's failing heart and all the Sterling family mess.

She'd just been there, in the moment, sharing something beautiful with her kids and Adam.

Seeing him get lost in the music had shown her a side of him she never expected. Just when she thought she had him figured out, he surprised her again.

Upstairs, Alex stood at his window, watching Adam's house with unusual intensity. The security SUV had caught his attention earlier, and the photographer being escorted away confirmed his suspicions. Without a word, he opened his laptop and began typing furiously.

"Nobody messes with our mom," he whispered to himself, eyes reflecting the glow of the screen as a Sterling family database loaded. "Not even family."