Chapter 245

“It’s confirmed. Sir Robert Collins is dead. ABC Estates is floundering, caught in a trap that was perfectly laid by StormEdge. At this point, we can move in and plant our own people inside. It’s the perfect opportunity.” A woman rushed into the office as she continued hurriedly, “The only ones left carrying the Collins name are Adam Collins and that young boy he’s adopted—Adir Collins. As for Patrick Collins, he’s also as good as gone. There’s no one left to stand in our way now, brother.”
But contrary to the expectations, the man shook his head and instead cautioned his sister, “Don’t get ahead of yourself. Even with Robert Collins out of the picture, we can’t afford to be reckless. We need to move smart, not just fast.”
“But why? Look at the facts. The only people left in the Collins family are a child and a man who has no real background in business. He has no connections, no network, no experience. This is the lowest they’ve ever been. The company is vulnerable, the board is shaken, and the family name has lost its power. This is exactly the time to strike, while they’re still reeling. We can make our move for the endgame now.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. Things are rarely as simple as they seem. If you think Adam Collins is harmless just because he’s never run a company before, then you haven’t been paying attention. We need to study him. Closely. Every move he makes.”
“Adam? But why him? He’s not even on the radar. He’s nothing more than a side character in the Collins legacy. The one who got lucky.”
“That’s what you think. But you need to look deeper. Everyone assumed the same about Sir Robert Collins. They believed Lady Collins was the one in control, the one handling all business matters. And yet, somehow, Robert was involved in nearly every deal ABC Estates ever sealed. He operated behind the curtain, pulled the strings when no one was watching. Now, look at Adam Collins. The competition for succession was always between Spencer and Adam. Sir Collins openly supported Spencer, groomed him as the heir. But who’s left standing now? Not Spencer. Adam. Do you think that’s coincidence?”
“Even Melanie Collins. She was supposedly Spencer’s wife for three years. Most of the people believed that. But instead, she turned around and married Adam and even claimed that they had been the ones together. Isn’t that interesting?”
“You think Adam planned all this?” The woman asked wide eyed.
“I don’t know what he did or didn’t do. That’s the point. He’s been underestimated before by Sir Collins himself, and that’s a mistake we can’t afford to repeat. There’s more to Adam Collins than what’s on the surface. If we’re going to take control of ABC Estates, we need to understand who exactly we’re up against.”
But what if StormEdge takes over first?” the woman pressed, her voice edged with rising concern. “If they move in before we do, then what are we left with? Or worse—what if Melanie Collins decides to step in again? Don’t forget, it was three years ago when everything was on the brink of collapse, and she was the one who stepped forward. She took control, stabilized the company, and not only saved it but actually helped it grow. She earned the board’s respect, the market’s confidence, and the family’s loyalty. If she does that again—or if they bring in someone capable to take charge—our window of opportunity closes for good.”
The man’s expression remained cold, calculating. He didn’t blink. “It doesn’t matter who steps in. Whether it’s Melanie or StormEdge or someone else entirely. Our objective isn’t simply to take over the company—we’re aiming for something bigger. The complete dismantling of the Collins family legacy. That’s the endgame. And if someone else wants to go to war with them and do the heavy lifting for us? All the better. Let them tear each other apart. Let them destroy themselves. We’ll collect what’s left when the smoke clears.”
He stood from his chair, walked to the window, and looked out across the city skyline. “This isn’t about control. It’s about extinction. The Collins name should disappear from business, from politics, from society. If the ABC Estate burns to the ground, but the Collinses are discredited, disgraced, and discarded in the process, we win. So keep your eyes open. Watch every move Adam and Melanie make. And when the cracks begin to show—and they will—we’ll be ready to strike. But not a second before.”
The woman narrowed her eyes, tension tightening her jaw. “I’m not comfortable with this,” she said finally, her voice low but sharp. “Sitting back. Watching. Waiting. Hoping someone else does our job for us. That’s not what we agreed to.”
The man didn’t turn around. He kept his gaze fixed on the skyline, his hands clasped behind his back. “You need to be patient. Timing is everything in this. One wrong move, and we lose the advantage we’ve built over years.”
“Patient?” she snapped, stepping closer, her heels striking hard against the marble floor. “I have been patient. For far too long. I watched Robert Collins rise. I watched his family thrive. I kept quiet when they expanded, when they bought out our contacts, when they stole deals right out from under us. And now you want me to wait again?”
He glanced at her, finally, expression unreadable.
“I don’t have a lifetime left, brother,” she hissed. “I want to see the Collins family fall before I take my last breath. I want them ruined, scattered, finished. Do you understand me? I will not wait quietly and hope they destroy themselves. I want to be the one who lights the match.”
He studied her for a moment, then said coolly, “And if you strike too soon, you might set the fire too close to your own feet.”
“I’ll take that risk,” she muttered. “I’ve waited long enough. Either we finish them now, or I will do it myself.” And with that, the woman left the office with a stomp of her feet.
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