CHAPTER 158: THE ADAMS PLAN

The driveway crunched beneath the tires as Henry’s car rolled to a gentle stop. The Adams estate, Emma’s father’s house stood quiet under the moonlight... majestic, old-money, and intimidating.

Emma yawned into her hand as the engine shut off. "Ugh... I forgot how tiring it is to look rich and travel."

Henry chuckled, stepping out of the car to open her door like a gentleman. "Careful, your ’commoner’ friend might think you’re out of his league now."

Emma raised a brow as she stepped out, smoothing her coat. "Commoner? That’s a strong word, Mr. Mason."

He shrugged, leaning casually against the open door. "Well, you’re an Adams heiress. And I’m a glorified assistant with a angry boss."

Emma tilted her head, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "Is this you getting all dramatic to win points?"

"Maybe." He looked at her... steadily, sincerely... and then added with a small grin, "Or maybe... it’s me asking if you’d ever go on a real date with a guy like me."

The playful air suddenly stilled.

Emma’s heart skipped.

Not because he asked.

But because he actually asked... like it meant something. Like she meant something to him.

She stepped closer, her voice soft, "Henry Mason... are you seriously asking me out in front of my dad’s house?"

He smirked. "Figured I’d get it out before he walks out in a robe with a shotgun."

Emma laughed... genuine, breathless.

And then she nodded. "Yes. I’d go on a date with you. Even if you’re just a glorified assistant."

He gave a rare, bright smile, the kind she knew not many got to see.

"Good," he said.

She paused at the stairs, then turned back and added, "But I’m warning you... I don’t do coffee dates. I’m a steak-and-wine type of girl."

Henry raised a hand in mock salute. "Steak and wine it is, princess."

Emma rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the grin spreading on her face as she disappeared through the grand doors.

Just as Henry turned back to his car, ready to drive off, something caught his eye.

A row of expensive cars lined the side of the private road, just beyond the estate’s main gate. Sleek black sedans with tinted windows.

Henry’s brows furrowed. His instincts, sharp and seasoned from years of quiet surveillance and dirty work, kicked in.

Guests? At this hour?

He glanced once more at the glowing windows of the mansion.

Emma hadn’t mentioned anything about visitors.

But Henry knew better than to jump to conclusions. The rich had secrets like skeletons had bones... always buried under glittering charm and polished smiles.

Still, it wasn’t his place to pry.

Not yet.

He started his engine and slowly drove off, but not without checking his mirrors. A part of him... guarded and suspicious... remained unsettled.

If they’re just guests... Why does this feel wrong?

________________________

Emma stepped into the grand marble foyer, her heels softly tapping against the floor. The house was unusually silent.

Where was everyone?

Usually, her father would be in the lounge reading or on the patio with a cigar, ready to greet her with one of his tired but affectionate smiles.

Instead, it was the butler... aged and polite... who greeted her at the door.

"Miss Emma," he said with a slight bow. "Your father is currently occupied with guests in the study room. He instructed me not to be disturbed."

Emma raised a brow, slipping off her coat. "Guests? At this hour?"

"Yes, miss. A business matter, I believe."

The butler said no more.

Emma didn’t argue. She simply gave a nod and started walking toward the study anyway.

Because one thing she knew for certain... her father never asked her to stay away.

Not when she was five and broke his favorite clock. Not when she stormed into his meetings in her teenage tantrums. Not even when she caught him arguing with board members. If there was one thing her father never denied her... it was access to him.

So why now?

As she approached the hallway leading to the study, voices broke through the thick silence.

Not just any voices.

Shouting.

"I won’t let you drag this family through hell just because you want to wage a personal vendetta!" barked her father... Morris Adams... in a voice she hadn’t heard in a long time. Cold. Controlled. Furious.

Another voice followed, sharp like venom.

"Oh please, don’t pretend you didn’t know what your daughter was capable of," Alex Adams spat. "You protected her once. Are you going to do it again?"

Emma’s eyes widened. She froze behind a column just before the study’s open doorway, hidden from sight.

Her blood ran cold.

They were talking about her.

What the hell is Alex and Derek doing in this house? Why is my father even entertaining him?

She stepped closer, her breath shallow.

"Emma is your cousin!" Morris hissed. "She is doing what she thinks is better for Jean. And what you did to Jean... if it comes out... Logan Kingsley won’t just take your empire. He’ll bury you."

Alex’s voice dropped to a cruel whisper.

"I’m not afraid of Logan Kingsley."

Emma’s hands clenched into fists by her sides.

He should be.

And now... she was sure of one thing...

She was going to find out everything her family was hiding.

Emma clung to the cold marble wall just outside the study, breath trapped in her throat.

She had only meant to peek. To satisfy a twinge of curiosity.

But now... she couldn’t move.

Inside, the argument escalated... her father’s voice sharp with panic, Derek’s booming with fury, and then...

Alex’s words landed like a dagger in her chest.

"Let’s kill Jean."

Emma’s entire world tilted.

Her eyes widened as her knees nearly gave out. No... She must’ve misheard. He couldn’t have meant that.

But the silence that followed confirmed otherwise.

Morris’s gasp was audible. The sound of a man who’d never expected the devil to say such a thing out loud.

Then Derek added, as if confirming a grocery list... "She’s a liability now. Her shares are with Logan. Sooner or later, she’ll tell him the truth. And Logan Kingsley is getting more powerful by the day."