An Understated Heir Returns

Chapter 1: Twenty-Four Hours

Rain hammered the streets as Adam Carter hurried through the gate, one hand holding his raincoat tightly over the small package tucked beneath it. His shirt clung to his back and his shoes were soaked through, but none of it bothered him.

It was their fifth wedding anniversary, and although he could not give Emma the expensive life her family always said she deserved, he had saved little by little for the gift hidden against his chest. Months ago, she had paused in front of a shop window and admired it without asking for anything but Adam had remembered.

A faint smile remained on his face as he reached the front door, but before his hand touched the handle, a cold female voice came from inside.

“Divorce him.”

Adam stopped, his smile disappeared.

“You’ve already wasted five years, Emma,” Margaret Turner continued. “How much longer do you plan to waste?”

Adam did not move, through the half-closed curtains beside the door, he could make out several people in the living room.

Emma stood near the sofa with her arms folded tightly across her chest. Her grandmother sat opposite her, straight-backed and stern as always. Linda, Emma’s mother, sat beside Margaret while Robert Turner, Emma’s uncle, stood near the window with an impatient look on his face.

“I’m not divorcing Adam,” Emma said. “I’ve already told you that.”

Robert let out a laugh. “And that is exactly why Turner Group is where it is today. You keep making decisions with your heart instead of your head.”

Emma looked at him. “My marriage has nothing to do with the company.”

“It has everything to do with it,” Linda snapped. “Look at your life. Five years with that man and what has changed? You work yourself half to death while he contributes nothing. No money. No connections. No future.”

Adam’s fingers slowly tightened around the package.

He had heard worse from them before.

Usually, he ignored it.

Margaret tapped the head of her walking stick against the floor. “Turner Group is struggling. You have spent weeks chasing Weston Group and they won’t even give you a proper meeting. Meanwhile, Jason Ford is willing to help us.”

Emma’s face hardened immediately.

Margaret continued, “The Ford family has influence, money and connections. Jason has already made his intentions clear. All you need to do is end this useless marriage and consider someone who can actually help you.”

“No.”

Margaret frowned. “Think before you answer.”

“I have thought about it.” Emma’s voice remained firm. “I’m not divorcing my husband because the company is having problems.”

Robert scoffed. “Will love save Turner Group? Will love pay our debts? Will love suddenly make Adam useful?”

Emma’s lips tightened.

“Exactly. You cannot answer because you know we are right. That man has lived under this family’s protection for five years. What has he ever done for you?”

“He’s my husband.”

“And Jason Ford could be much more.” Margaret said

“I don’t want Jason.”

Margaret’s expression turned ugly. “You are becoming more foolish by the day.”

“I said no.”

The slap came so quickly that even Linda flinched.

Emma’s head turned to the side, outside the door, Adam’s eyes went cold and as Margaret raised her hand again the door flew open and everyone turned.

Adam stepped inside, rainwater dripping from his clothes onto the polished floor. He still held the package beneath his raincoat, but whatever warmth had been on his face when he came home was gone.

He crossed the room before Margaret’s hand could fall again and caught her wrist.

The room fell silent while Margaret stared at him in disbelief.

Adam released her slowly, then moved to Emma’s side. A red mark was already appearing on her cheek.

His jaw tightened.

“Adam…” Emma murmured.

Robert recovered first and gave a mocking laugh. “Who asked you to interfere? This is a Turner family matter.”

Adam looked at him. “She is my wife. That makes it my matter.”

Linda stood up immediately. “Your wife? You still have the nerve to say that after everything she has done for you? For five years, my daughter has carried this marriage while you sit comfortably and enjoy the benefits!”

Adam did not answer her as his attention remained on Emma’s face.

Margaret pulled her wrist back and glared at him. “Since you are here, good. We can settle this properly.”

She reached for a cheque that had been lying on the table and pushed it forward.

“Twenty million.”

Emma’s expression changed. “Grandmother...”

Margaret ignored her. “Divorce Emma, leave this family and never come back. Twenty million is more than enough for a man like you to live comfortably for the rest of your life.”

They watched him as though the matter had already been decided.

Adam glanced at the cheque then he looked away without a second thought

“No.”

Robert’s smile froze.

Margaret stared at him. “What did you say?”

“I said no.”

“You should think carefully before acting proud. You may never see that kind of money again in your miserable life.”

Adam’s expression did not change. “Then I won’t see it.”

Emma looked at him, and for the first time since he walked in, something in her tense expression softened.

Margaret’s face darkened. “Fine. I’ll give you one week. Emma, divorce him and accept Jason Ford, or forget about your position in Turner Group. The family will no longer support you.”

Emma lifted her chin. “I’m not divorcing him.”

Margaret slammed her walking stick against the floor but before she could speak again, Adam’s gaze fell on the thick proposal file on the table.

WESTON GROUP.

He recognized it immediately. Emma had been sleeping late for weeks because of that proposal. More than once, he had woken in the middle of the night and found her still working at the dining table.

Adam reached for the file.

“If she gets Weston Group’s contract, will you stop interfering in our marriage?”

Robert burst out laughing while Linda stared at Adam as if he had lost his mind.

“Weston Group?” Robert repeated. “Do you even know what kind of company that is?”

“Adam, stop.” Emma quickly grabbed his arm.

Robert continued laughing. “Companies ten times stronger than Turner Group are fighting for their attention. Emma has already tried several times and hasn’t even gotten through the door properly. And you think she can suddenly get their contract?”

Emma lowered her voice. “Adam, don’t do this.”

He turned to her and he saw that there was real worry in her eyes.

Margaret leaned back. “Very well. Since you are so confident, one week should be more than enough.”

“Not one week.”

Emma’s fingers tightened around his sleeve but Adam looked at Margaret calmly.

“Twenty-four hours.”

The laughter stopped.

Emma stared at him. “Adam.”

“If Emma cannot secure Weston Group’s cooperation within twenty-four hours, I’ll leave voluntarily. You won’t need to offer me twenty million.”

Margaret narrowed her eyes.

“But if she gets it,” Adam continued, “Emma stays in charge of the project, and none of you interferes in our marriage again.”

Emma immediately stepped in front of him. “No. I’m not agreeing to this. You know I’ve been trying to meet Weston for weeks.”

Adam placed a hand gently on her shoulder. “Trust me.”

“How am I supposed to...”

“I accept.”

Margaret’s voice cut through the room before Emma could finish and a satisfied smile appeared on Robert’s face.

Linda shook her head, looking at Adam as though she could not believe his stupidity.

Margaret stood. “Twenty-four hours. Don’t forget your own words.”

One by one, they left, each wearing the same mocking look.

Robert was the last to reach the door. He glanced back at Adam and laughed under his breath before walking out.

The house finally became quiet.

Emma turned toward Adam immediately, clearly ready to tear into him, but Adam’s attention had dropped to the proposal still in his hand.

He ran his thumb slowly across the name on the cover.

WESTON GROUP.

His eyes changed because five years ago, before the world believed Adam Carter was dead, Weston Group had belonged to him.