âAlana rolled her eyes in exasperation.
She didnât have much time to argue with Adam.
âYouâll need to clear a path for me if you donât want Emmeline to take advantage of Abel, Mr. Adam.â
âWhat does that mean?â âWhatâs the situation with Kendra?â She asked. âAs long as sheâs out of the picture, Emmelineâs marriage with Adrien would be a stable one. Kendraâs existence threatens that!â
âThatâs a trivial matter.â Adam smiled coldly. âShe may have gotten away the last time but Iâll make sure sheâs disposed of once my men find her.â
âMake it sooner rather than later!â Alana continued. âOnce that woman is gone, Emmeline will marry Adrien. The dust can finally settle!â
âYouâ¦â He scoffed.
âWhat about me?â
Adam took a long drag of his cigar. âYouâre a vicious woman. Itâd be a waste if you arenât there to mess with Abel!â
âHmph. Well, weâll be in contact again, Mr. Adam.â
Adam had no time to spare entertaining Alana.
The moment the call was done, he got dressed in his suit and drove to Nimbus.
His brother cleaned up much less than he did. Despite the longer distance, they both pulled up at the parking lot at the same time.
âAdam.â Adrien got out from the back row and waved enthusiastically at his brother.
Adam wanted to throw a punch right at his brother so badly but held back as he recalled the injuries Adrien sustained.
âNot bad, idiot. You got the princess herself without having to lift a finger!â
âThatâs all thanks to you, man.â
Adrienâs cheeks flushed. âIâve always looked up to you, Adam!â
âOf course you do!â Adam was smug. âMy tactics are foolproof! Iâm the best out there after allâ
âYou are!â Adrien continued to flatter him with compliments.
His elder brother was indeed resourceful but there were others out there who were better. That was something he couldnât admit to his brother.
Who knew if Adam was going to keep helping him if his motivation took a hit?
âIâm still not quite satisfied yet though.â Adamâs expression turned grim.
He was very dissatisfied.
âWhat is it?â His younger brother asked, concerned.
didnât manage to take Abel down!â
âOh, that? I already forgot about it,â Adrien said, âEmmeline is important to you but taking him down is what is most important to me.â
âAbel has been doing well with managing the Ryker Group. Maybe picking fights with him isnât the way to go.â
That had Adam frowning. âWho do you think youâre talking to?â
âSmack!â Adrien finally realized he had jabbed his brother where it hurt the most when Adam raised his hand at him.
Both he and Adam were different people.
Adrien cared little for who was in power.
It was all the same to him no matter who was in charge as long as he got his share of the dividend at the end of the year.
Adam was not the same.
Adam believed he would be the head of the Ryker family from the tender age of fifteen.
Everyone including his parents and Adrien believed the same.
That was until Oscar made a sudden announcement five years ago that Abel would be the one to spearhead the Ryker family. The new successor was then sént abroad for intensive training.
That was a sore spot that Adam never got over.
His parents also despised Lewis Ryker, his wife, and most of all, Abel.
It was only Adrien who didnât dwell on it because he had always known heâd never be in line to lead the family.
That was why he didnât care.
Adrien was quick to explain himself, âYou know Iâm always on your side, Adam. Youâre my brother!â
âThatâs better.â His anger somewhat abated.
âBut Iâm just telling you the truth,â Adrien continued. âAbel has been doing a good job with the family.â
Adam had nothing to say to that. He shared the sentiment.
He also believed he could do better if he were the one in charge!
Abel casually skirting by the threat left him angry.
The two brothers chatted as they walked up to the hotel