Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 265: Threat

"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 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.

He turned away, pulled up a document and tried to focus. But every few minutes, his gaze drifted to his silent phone, checking for updates that hadn't come.

Across town, Tommy Jackson pressed against the wall of an abandoned storefront, wiping sweat from his forehead. Every passing car made him flinch.

He stared at his wife and daughter's photo on his phone screen, thumb hovering over the call button before pulling away. No safe choices left. Contact them and risk their safety, or leave them in the dark while Haven's people might already be watching.

His hand trembled as he pocketed the phone. This wasn't what he'd signed up for. Just a quick scare job, Samantha had said. Easy money.

Tommy steadied himself and kick-started the stolen motorcycle. One desperate option remained. He pulled on his helmet and disappeared into traffic, heading toward the wealthy enclave where the Wright mansion waited.

Stars were just beginning to appear when Samantha's car finally pulled into the circular driveway of her family estate. She climbed out, exhaustion evident as she gathered her files and bag.

A shadow moved from the shrubbery. Before she could scream, a hand clamped over her mouth.

"Quiet," a voice warned in her ear.

Samantha fought wildly, her heels scraping against the driveway. The figure pulled her into shadows beyond the security cameras' reach.

"It's me," the voice whispered, releasing her.

She spun around, terror turning to fury as she recognized Tommy. "Are you crazy?" she hissed, frantically checking their surroundings. "Coming to my house? Haven could be watching this place!"

Tommy looked half-dead on his feet, desperation etched into his face. "Where else could I go? They found my place."

"I told you to get out of town!"

"My family's still here," he shot back, a bitter smile twisting his mouth. "Or did you forget about them while you were picking out your next vacation spot?"

He stepped closer. "Don't forget who did your dirty work in M Country. You promised protection."

Guilt flickered across Samantha's face before she could mask it. "I didn't expect Haven to care this much."

"You don't get it," Tommy whispered, voice cracking. "That woman means something to him. If he catches me..." He couldn't finish the thought, remembering stories about what happened to people who crossed Haven Enterprise.

Samantha pushed her hair back impatiently. "What do you want?"

"Get my family out. By seven tomorrow morning. Tickets to M Country included." His eyes hardened. "Otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Her words turned to ice.

"Otherwise Haven gets everything. The recordings. Your instructions. How you hoped Sterling would 'have an accident' overseas."

Samantha's face drained of color. "You're threatening me?"

The audacity stunned her—a nobody security guard blackmailing Samantha Wright, whose family name opened doors throughout Silver City.

"Not a threat. A trade," Tommy replied with surprising calm. "My life for your secret."

When facing Haven's anger, crossing Samantha seemed like the lesser of two terrible choices.

She weighed her options, jaw tight. "And if I say no?"

Tommy pulled a small device from his pocket. "Got everything recorded. Haven would pay anything for this."

"You've got some nerve," she spat, but the tremor in her voice gave her away.

Despite her fury, she knew when she was cornered.

"Seven tomorrow," she finally agreed. "I'll have someone get your family to the airport with tickets. After that, disappear for good."

Relief washed over Tommy's tired face. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me," Samantha replied coldly. "If Adam finds out about this... we're both finished."

Tommy disappeared into the shadows, leaving Samantha alone in her driveway. She stared up at the empty night sky. "Why her?" she whispered to the darkness.