Jamie knew that casting Georgia as some kind of tragic martyr for the family business would be too much. It would sound exaggerated, almost heroic. In the end, people might even start admiring her and praising her actions. That wasn’t the outcome he wanted.
He needed a different approach, something far more useful. Instead of portraying her as a selfless victim, it was far smarter to paint her as a traitor, a thief who stole from the family and ran. Given her recent frustrations with the marriage and the fact that Kayden wasn’t in Hiphia, he could spin this story perfectly.
Of course, he’d already set the wheels in motion, coordinating with the Ford family. They’d agreed to transfer the company’s assets into his name, giving him full control to pull the strings.
It was all coming together. In one move, he’d walk away with millions and pin the blame squarely on Georgia. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Genius.
Georgia, did you really think you could take me down? He scoffed to himself. You were just digging your own grave. But hey, no hard feelings-it’s nothing personal. You’re dead anyway.
And soon, the Adams family would be his. The thought filled him with a quiet thrill.
“Grandma,” Jamie continued, keeping his voice steady, “I’m telling you the truth. If you don’t believe me, you can check with the finance department yourself.”
He glanced at the clock, calculating the time. By now, the money should’ve been transferred.
The Ford family wouldn’t back out-they were known to keep their word.
He watched as a flicker of doubt crossed Old Mrs. Adams’s face. Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, she seemed deep in thought. Then, she finally spoke, her tone sharp.
“Jamie,” she said, “I know you’ve always been jealous of Georgia. You’ve never liked her, have you? You hate how successful she’s been in managing the company and how she’s made it thrive. But don’t worry, once the business expands further, I’ll make sure you have your own division to run.”
This wasn’t like her, Jamie thought. Usually, she took his word without question. Now, she was actually thinking things through, and that irritated him.
A wave of panic began to build in his chest. He stomped his foot impatiently, his voice rising in desperation. “Grandma, how could I make something like this up? Yes, I admit, I’ve been jealous of Georgia in the past. But this is about the family’s future! I wouldn’t lie to you about something this serious.”
But her hesitation stirred a new feeling in him-resentment. Even though Georgia was gone, it still stung. It used to be me, Jamie thought bitterly. I was the one she trusted most. But somehow, Georgia had managed to win her over in just a few short days.
At least now, Georgia was out of the picture. If she’d lived, Jamie might have been overshadowed by her forever.
“Madam, we have a problem!”
Before Jamie could say more, a woman rushed into the room, her heels clicking sharply on the floor. It was Georgia’s secretary-though she had once been Jamie’s secretary, back when things had been different.
Jamie’s eyes followed her as she entered. She was dressed in a fitted white blouse and a sleek black pencil skirt, her legs wrapped in sheer stockings, and her heels a striking red. She carried herself with a kind of poised confidence that made Jamie swallow involuntarily. He remembered the time he’d almost had her, back when they worked closely together.
Now, she seemed even more stunning, more alluring.
And married, too-just the way Jamie liked them.
As she came closer, his eyes couldn’t help but trace the curve of her legs. Soon, he told himself. She’ll be mine. Just a matter of time.
The secretary’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “Madam,” she said, her tone urgent, “there’s been an incident. All of the company’s assets… were transferred this morning. Everything.”
Old Mrs. Adams froze, the words hanging in the air like a death sentence. She shot up from her chair, slamming her cane against the floor. “What did you just say?” she demanded, her voice trembling with shock.
The woman’s eyes flickered nervously, and she quickly glanced down, avoiding Old Mrs. Adams’s piercing gaze. She swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper. “The company’s assets… they’ve been transferred.”
Old Mrs. Adams froze, shocked by the words. She instinctively put her hand on her chest and felt dizzy. She held her cane for support to keep from falling.
“Madam, are you all right?” the woman asked, her voice laced with concern.
This wasn’t just any secretary. She was Old Mrs. Adams’s eyes and ears, someone who had been planted close to Georgia to watch her every move. Her loyalty lay solely with the Adams family, and no matter who sat at the helm, nothing escaped her sharp gaze.
Old Mrs Adams raised a trembling hand, signalling for the woman not to come any closer. She fought to compose herself, her chest tightening as emotion threatened to overwhelm her. “Where’s Georgia?” she asked, her voice strained, her eyes red-rimmed.
The woman hesitated for a moment, and then finally spoke. “I’ve tried reaching her since last night, but… no word.”
The room seemed to tilt. Old Mrs. Adams collapsed back into her chair as if the weight of the world had finally caught up with her.
Is this the end of the Adams family? she wondered, her heart sinking. The family wasn’t hers by blood, but after Georgia’s grandfather passed, she had taken charge. For three years, she had kept the business steady, if not thriving, at least ensuring they held their place in Hiphia’s business circles. Now, faced with the possibility of collapse, it felt like everything was slipping through her fingers.
The Ford family doesn’t mess around, Jamie smirked coldly, thought. They get things done fast.
He stepped forward, his expression shifting to one of false concern. “Grandma, you heard her. I’ve been telling you all along Georgia’s run-off with the money. I might lie to others, but I would never lie to you. She’s gone rogue. Are you handing the company over to her? That was a mistake. I’m sure she’s been planning this for months, moving the assets under your nose. I warned you not to trust her.”
Old Mrs. Adams struggled for breath. She wanted to respond but found herself at a loss for words.
She had watched the company flourish under Georgia’s leadership, seeing the business grow stronger, inching ever closer to becoming one of Hiphia’s top-tier families. And now, to have it all ripped away like this-it was too much to process.
“Find her!” Old Mrs. Adams’s voice was raw, almost breaking. “I don’t care where she is or how far she’s run. I want Georgia found!” The urgency in her voice was undeniable, her body trembling with the strain of holding it all together.
If her weary eyes had any tears left to shed, she would’ve been sobbing by now.
Jamie, cool as ever, didn’t miss a beat. “It’s no use, Grandma. Georgia’s gone. We need to focus on what’s next. The company still has deals in play and partnerships that need managing. We can’t waste time chasing her down.” His voice was calm, almost unsettling in its coldness.
Old Mrs. Adams turned to Jamie, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. Something wasn’t right. This wasn’t the Jamie she knew. The way he was talking, the way he carried himself-it felt like she was looking at a stranger.
When had Jamie become so… different?