An Understated Heir Returns

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Weak Link

By ten in the morning, Emma already knew the supplier pulling out was not an isolated problem. The first call came from one of Turner Group’s longtime material suppliers, informing her that they could no longer continue under the existing agreement. Before she could properly deal with that, another company suddenly demanded new payment terms that would put even more strain on Turner Group’s finances, then the bank called to inform them that a credit arrangement they had been expecting for one of their ongoing projects had been placed under additional review. No rejection, no clear explanation, just an unexpected delay that could easily cause problems if it dragged on.

Emma sat behind her desk staring at the reports in front of her. Jason had not wasted time. His three-day warning had barely begun, yet he was already pressing Turner Group from several directions at once, carefully enough that none of the problems could destroy the company alone but together they would slowly tighten around them.

Robert entered her office without knocking and dropped another file on the desk. “One of our transport partners wants to revise their rates too. You still think this is something you can ignore?”

“I never said I was ignoring it.”

“Then call Jason.”

Emma leaned back and looked at him. “No.”

Robert stared at her as though she had lost her mind. “He warned you exactly what would happen, Emma. Suppliers are already pulling out, the bank is delaying our credit and now even our transport partners are changing their terms. How much more do you need before you understand what he can do?”

“I understand perfectly well what he’s doing.”

“Then stop him.”

“By divorcing my husband and marrying him because he threatened the company?” she asked, clearly disgusted by him

“If that is what it takes to save Turner Group, then maybe you should stop thinking only about yourself.”

Emma’s expression hardened. “Jason is deliberately hurting this company because I rejected him, and somehow everyone keeps acting as if rewarding him for it is the reasonable solution. If you think marrying him is such a wonderful sacrifice, you’re free to offer yourself.”

Robert slammed one hand against her desk. “Enough with the jokes.”

“This isn’t a joke.” Emma pushed the supplier report toward him. “He wants me scared enough to run to him. I’m not doing that.”

Robert stood there for another moment before turning away angrily. Emma waited until the door closed behind him before releasing a slow breath. She was worried, far more than she wanted anyone to know, but calling Jason would only prove that his methods worked. Instead, she pulled the supplier list closer and began making calls.

Some companies refused her immediately once they heard Turner Group’s name. Others were willing to negotiate but demanded terms she could not accept. Emma kept going anyway, comparing prices, checking delivery capacity and calculating how much pressure the company could absorb without affecting the Weston project. By noon, she had found two possible replacements. Neither was ideal, but one could supply enough material to keep the Weston project moving while she searched for something more stable.

Across the city, Adam sat at a small roadside restaurant with a cup of coffee in front of him. Emma had called earlier and casually mentioned that work had become difficult and she might return home late. She had not complained or asked him for help, but Adam understood immediately.

Jason had started.

He finished his coffee, pulled out his phone and called Henry.

“Young Master.”

“Find out everything about the Ford family.”

Henry paused briefly. “Everything?”

“Businesses, partners, debts, family members, banks, tax evasion, problems they’ve buried and people they depend on. I want to know what keeps that family standing.”

Henry immediately understood the change in his tone. “Jason Ford?”

“He threatened Emma yesterday.”

That was enough explanation.

“I’ll have something for you.”

Adam ended the call and leaned back in his chair. He could have dealt with Jason before lunch if he wanted. Weston Group was several levels above the Ford family, and one order from Adam could force enough partners to distance themselves from the Fords that Jason would spend weeks cleaning up the damage.

But that would be careless.

Jason had threatened Emma openly. If Weston suddenly attacked the Ford family the following day, someone might eventually wonder why one of the most powerful companies in the city had taken such a sudden interest in Emma Turner’s problems. Adam had remained dead for five years and intended to keep that advantage until he understood exactly who had tried to kill him.

Besides, crushing Jason directly would only solve the problem in front of him.

Adam preferred knowing where to place his hand before he squeezed.

Several hours later, Henry called again while Adam was already waiting across the street from Turner Group to pick Emma up.

“I have the report, Young Master.”

“Talk.”

“The Ford family is strong locally. Real estate, logistics, manufacturing and several smaller investments. They have influence with two banks and business relationships with a number of Turner Group’s suppliers. That explains how Jason started applying pressure so quickly.”

“Nothing surprising.”

“No. And compared with Weston, they’re not particularly dangerous. If you want, I can have three of their major partners reconsider their cooperation by tomorrow morning.”

“No.”

Henry chuckled lightly. “I expected that answer.”

“Then why suggest it?”

“I wanted to know whether marriage had made you impatient.”

Adam looked toward the Turner Group building. “It hasn’t.”

“Good. Because there’s something more useful.”

Adam’s attention sharpened.

Henry continued, “Jason is the competent one in the family. He handles most of their important business, watches their reputation carefully and rarely makes reckless moves. His father still holds the highest position, but Jason is clearly being prepared to take over.”

“And the rest of the family?”

“A younger brother. Zane Ford.”

Henry’s tone alone told Adam the man was different.

“Go on.”

“Zane is almost the opposite of Jason. He spends too much, drinks too much and has caused enough trouble that the Ford family has paid good money to keep several incidents quiet. Jason regularly cleans up after him.”

Adam leaned against his scooter. “What kind of trouble?”

“Women, fights, expensive habits and gambling.”

That last word caught Adam’s attention.

“How serious?”

“Serious enough that Jason monitors his money. Zane has lost large sums before, but never enough to truly damage the Ford family because Jason usually steps in before he goes too far. Their father keeps covering for him too.”

“What does he play?”

“Mostly cards, especially private tables. He likes high stakes when he thinks he’s winning.”

A faint smile appeared on Adam’s face.

Henry was silent for a second before speaking again. “Young Master, I know that smile.”

“You can’t see me.”

“I don’t need to.”

Adam ignored him. “How often does Zane gamble?”

“Several times a week. Sometimes more.”

“And where?”

“I’m still confirming his usual locations.”

“Find the one he trusts most.”

Henry immediately understood that Adam was no longer simply collecting information. “You’re planning to use Zane against Jason.”

Adam looked toward Turner Group just as Emma came through the glass doors carrying a folder and speaking on the phone. Even from across the road, he could see the exhaustion on her face.

“Jason decided to pressure my wife through her family,” Adam said calmly. “I want to know how well he handles pressure from his own.”

Henry laughed under his breath. “I almost feel sorry for him.”

“Don’t.”

Adam ended the call just as Emma noticed him across the street. Her tired expression eased slightly when she saw him, and Adam raised one hand before pulling out the spare helmet.

By the time she reached him, he had already put his phone away.

Emma looked at the scooter, then at him. “You came all the way here?”

“You sound disappointed.”

“I’m exhausted.” She sighed

“That explains the face.”

Emma glared at him. “You really know how to comfort your wife.”

Adam handed her the helmet. “Get on. I’ll feed you.”

That earned him the smallest smile.

She climbed onto the scooter, still holding her folder against her chest, and Adam drove them home without asking too many questions. Emma had spent the entire day fighting to protect the project she had earned. If she needed his help with something she could handle herself, she would ask.

Jason was different.

That problem belonged to Adam now.

By evening, Henry had finished tracing Zane Ford’s recent movements and sent Adam the final report. Adam opened it while Emma was still working nearby and scanned through the list of locations.

One name appeared again and again.

Ace Casino.