An Understated Heir Returns

Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Three Days

Jason Ford entered the Turner residence like a man who had already decided how the meeting would end.

Margaret’s expression softened almost immediately. Robert stood straighter, while even Linda’s earlier anger disappeared behind a polite smile. The difference was obvious enough for Adam to notice, but he said nothing. He remained beside Emma, one hand resting casually in his pocket, watching Jason approach.

Jason greeted Margaret first before his eyes settled on Emma.

“There you are.”

Emma’s expression cooled.

Margaret quickly stepped in before she could answer. “Jason, sit down. We were just discussing something important.”

Jason glanced at the contract still lying on the table. “I heard Turner Group finally secured something from Weston.”

Robert’s face brightened again. “Yes. A major partnership.”

Jason looked genuinely surprised for a moment before turning to Emma. “You got it?”

“I did.”

His gaze moved over her carefully, then toward Adam.

“Interesting.”

Adam met his eyes without reacting.

Jason had seen him several times before, usually at family events where Adam stayed quiet while everyone treated him like furniture. As far as Jason was concerned, there had never been anything worth paying attention to. Adam had no family backing anyone knew about, no major company, no reputation and nothing that could compare with the Ford name.

The fact that Emma still chose him was the only reason Jason found him annoying.

Jason took a seat without waiting to be invited again. “Congratulations, Emma. I’ll admit I didn’t expect Turner Group to get through Weston’s door.”

Emma folded her arms. “Then now you know.”

Margaret gave her a warning look.

Jason only smiled. “Still stubborn.”

Emma’s face hardened further. “If you came here to talk about the same thing again, save yourself the trouble.”

“Emma.”

Margaret’s tone was sharp, but Emma ignored her.

“I’m not divorcing Adam, and I’m not marrying you. Nothing has changed.”

The smile on Jason’s face remained, but there was less warmth in it now.

He leaned back. “You really believe one Weston contract changes everything?”

“No. But it changes enough.”

Jason glanced at the agreement on the table. “Weston is powerful. Nobody is denying that. But Turner Group has other problems.”

Robert’s expression shifted slightly and Jason noticed.

“Suppliers. Credit lines. Ongoing projects. Several partners who are already nervous about Turner Group’s position.” He looked back at Emma. “One contract won’t repair all of that overnight.”

Margaret’s earlier satisfaction began fading.

“What are you trying to say?” she asked.

Jason rested one arm against the chair. “I’m saying I made an offer because I genuinely want Emma. The Ford family helping Turner Group would simply make the arrangement beneficial to everyone.”

Adam almost smiled at the way he phrased it but Emma did not.

“You mean beneficial to you.”

Jason’s eyes moved toward Adam again. “At least I can offer something.”

The room became quieter, Robert smirked while Jason continued, now looking directly at Adam. “Five years of marriage and she still has to fight alone for every opportunity. If you had any shame, you would have taken the twenty million yesterday and disappeared.”

Emma immediately stepped forward.

“Watch how you speak to my husband.”

Jason looked at her, amused. “This is exactly what I mean. You’re always defending him.”

“Because all of you keep attacking him.” she snapped

“For telling the truth?”

Emma’s jaw tightened.

Adam finally spoke.

“Are you done?”

Jason turned toward him, there was no anger on Adam’s face and that seemed to bother him more.

Jason smiled faintly. “You should be the one asking yourself that. You got lucky yesterday. Your wife got the Weston contract, so your little bet worked out. But luck doesn’t change what you are.”

Adam’s expression remained unreadable.

“And what am I?”

Jason gave him a slow look from head to toe.

“Useless.”

Robert laughed under his breath.

Jason continued, “A man living under his wife’s roof, wearing cheap clothes, riding a scooter and pretending pride is the same thing as dignity. You think refusing twenty million made you impressive?”

Adam stared at him for a few seconds.

Then his mouth curved slightly.

“No.”

Jason waited.

Adam added, “But watching grown men worry this much about another man’s marriage is becoming entertaining.”

Robert’s smile disappeared, Jason’s eyes narrowed and Emma almost laughed but covered it quickly.

Margaret struck her walking stick against the floor. “Enough.”

Jason took a slow breath and leaned back again.

“Fine. Let’s make this simple.”

His attention returned to Emma.

“You have three days.”

Emma frowned. “For what?”

“To reconsider.”

“I already gave you my answer.” She stated clearly

“You gave me an emotional answer.” Jason grinned

“No. I gave you my answer.”

Jason’s smile thinned then his tone changed.

“The Ford family works with several suppliers Turner Group depends on. We also have relationships with two financial institutions currently supporting some of your projects, and more than a few companies working with you would rather remain on good terms with us than risk their businesses over Turner Group.”

Margaret’s expression changed completely and Robert stood straighter.

Linda looked between Jason and Emma.

Jason continued calmly, “I’ve been patient because I didn’t want this to become ugly. But if you insist on choosing him, then I’ll stop making things easy.”

Emma stared at him.

“You’re threatening my family because I won’t marry you?”

“I’m giving you a choice.”

“That sounds like a threat.” Emma insisted

Jason shrugged. “Call it whatever you want.”

Adam’s eyes cooled, Jason did not notice or perhaps he noticed and simply did not care.

“You have three days,” Jason repeated. “After that, I start pulling strings. Suppliers will walk. Credit will tighten. Partners will become nervous. And before long, Turner Group will be too busy surviving to celebrate that Weston contract.”

Margaret immediately turned toward Emma.

“Do you understand what he’s saying?”

Emma’s expression remained firm.

“Yes.”

“And?”

Emma looked at Jason.

“My answer is still no.”

There was silence, Jason stared at her for a long moment then he laughed like he genuinely found her stubbornness amusing.

“Alright.”

He stood.

“When Turner Group starts bleeding, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Emma said nothing, Jason adjusted his jacket and glanced once more at Adam.

“You should enjoy these next three days.”

Adam looked back at him.

“I usually do.”

Jason’s smile faded slightly then he turned and left, the moment the door closed, Margaret’s anger exploded.

“What is wrong with you?”

Emma looked at her grandmother.

“You heard what he said,” Margaret continued. “He can damage Turner Group from several directions at once, and you still stand there acting proud?”

Robert joined in immediately. “Weston’s contract won’t save us if half our suppliers pull out. Do you even understand how business works?”

Emma’s face hardened. “So what exactly do you want me to do? Marry a man threatening to destroy us?”

“If that is what saves the company...”

“Then you marry him.”

Linda gasped. “Emma!”

“I’m serious. Since everyone here thinks Jason Ford is such a blessing, one of you can have him.”

Robert’s face darkened. “You’re making jokes while hundreds of people could lose their jobs.”

“And somehow all of this is my fault, not the man threatening the company because I won’t sleep beside him?”

Margaret slammed her walking stick down.

“You are choosing Adam over this family again.”

Emma laughed bitterly. “No. Jason is the one forcing a choice because he can’t handle rejection.”

Robert pointed toward Adam. “And all because of him.”

Adam looked at his finger, Robert immediately lowered it, though he seemed annoyed with himself for doing so.

Linda stepped toward Emma. “Think carefully. Jason can give you everything Adam cannot. Money. Protection. Connections.”

Emma turned toward Adam for one second, then back to her mother.

“I already chose my husband five years ago.”

Her voice was calm now.

“I’m not changing that because somebody richer showed up.”

Adam’s expression barely changed, but the coldness in his eyes eased.

Margaret shook her head in disgust but Emma had heard enough so she grabbed her bag and walked toward the door.

Adam followed and neither of them spoke until they were outside.

Emma was still angry, but Adam’s mind had already moved past the argument.

For five years, he had ignored insults because none of them mattered. He had wanted peace, and being underestimated had made that easier.

Jason Ford was different, he was no longer insulting Adam but threatening Emma, her work and something she had fought to protect.

Adam glanced back at the Turner residence once, his expression was calm but his mind was already thinking in different directions

The next morning, Emma arrived at Turner Group and was called into the office almost immediately.

One of their oldest suppliers had just withdrawn from an important agreement.