Robert Collins let out a low curse under his breath, his expression dark as the press conference continued to unfold on the screen with Nate Denoit answering questions. "This is bad."
Spencer exhaled sharply and dragged a hand down his face before nodding. "You're right. This isn't just bad—this is a disaster. We underestimated her. Again." His jaw clenched as his mind raced through possible counters, but no immediate solution presented itself. "But you mentioned Adam earlier. What did you mean by that? Do you think we should use him to handle her."
Robert sighed, and glared at his grandson! Sometimes he could be skmart like him and sometimes he was as dense as his father and mother. "Why are you focused on Melanie. It is Adam who is your nemesis."
"Until now, you and your mother were insistent on using these methods to suppress Melanie. You tried tarnishing her reputation, limiting her business connections, but she's managed to rise above it all. However, you're looking in the wrong direction. Melanie isn't the one we need to suppress." He paused, his eyes locking onto Spencer's. "It's Adam. Or have you forgotten that?"
Spencer's frown deepened. "Adam?"
Robert nodded. "For now, Melanie seems to have no weakness. She's careful, calculated, and is not letting emotions dictate her actions. But we can change that. We will make Adam her weakness. Just like you were hers."
Spencer leaned forward at this, "What do you mean? How will we do that?"
"When she was in love with you, she put her entire being in handling and helping ABC Industries rise to the top, ignoring even LuxeArt. But now, because hs is hurt, she is careful. But not with Adam."
"Adam and Melanie are treating you like a common enemy. And they are already close. What we need to do now is bring Adam and Melanie closer.But, Adam has a weakness for women—especially those he believes he cannot have."
"And Melanie is one of them. He has been paying special attention to her, hasn't he? If we encourage this attachment, if we let him fall deeper, then she will, inevitably, do the same."
Understanding flickered in Spencer's gaze. "And once she's emotionally invested..."
Robert smirked. "We will have the leverage we need."
Spencer nodded slowly, the wheels turning in his mind. "But how do we ensure Adam keeps chasing her? He's reckless, but he isn't stupid."
Robert's smirk widened at this. "You leave that to me. I have already set things in motion. Adam will not be able to resist her. In fact, he won't even try."
Robert Collins didn't say much but smiled to himself. Adam was too much like his own younger brother- Albert. Knowing him, Adam would easily fall for Melanie. And then, he would carry out the last part of his plan. One that was unknown to even Spencer.
While Robert Collins had his own considerations, Spencer let the plan settle in his mind. He was not happy about it. He didn't want Melanie to love anyone else the way she'd loved him. Even if she hated him now, she was not allowed to love anyone else. However, he knew that this would be the most feasible option... for now.
If they played it right, they wouldn't just control Adam—they'd control Melanie through him.
***
On the other side, two men were also sitting in an office, staring at the ongoing press conference on the television.
As the camera panned to Nate Denoit standing beside Melanie, Maximilian let out a low whistle and turned his head slightly to glance at Adam. "Well, well... it seems your new wife is quite the resourceful one."
Adam smirked, leaned back in his chair with an air of nonchalance, though the glint in his eyes betrayed just how proud he was. It was like watching a peacock dancing..
Maximilian almost laughed at the comparison and watched as Adam arched a brow at him and boasted, "Of course. What did you expect? She successfully handled ABC in the past. LuxeArt is hardly a challenge for her."
Maximilian exhaled through his nose, shaking his head as he studied his friend. "If you admire her so much, then why are you still looking for that woman?"
The question wiped the amusement clean off Adam's face. His jaw tensed as he turned his gaze sharply toward Max. "What does Melanie have to do with her?"
Maximilian leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest, watching Adam carefully. "I'd say she has everything to do with her. Didn't you expect that once Melanie was by your side, your grandfather would finally make a move? That he would bring out the woman you've been searching for, just to break you and Melanie apart? But he never did. Sir Collins hasn't taken the bait, and now, despite everything—despite winning the battle, securing the property—you're still empty-handed when it comes to finding her. And I don't even know what is so special about this girl?"
"Was she your first love and that is why you want to go back to her? But even if she is the woman you first loved, if she went and stayed away willingly because your grandfather told her to, she cannot have loved you as much. So, why are you so intent on chasing her? Is it because she is the one who got away?"
Adam cast a wry look at his friend before he continued to tap the pen in front of him and then in a low voice said," Hmm. I want her here. She is indeed the one who got away."
Maxmillian could not help but stare at his friend! He'd been speakig nonsense and had thought that Adam would laugh at him or something! Unexpectedly, Adam ageed with his words.
Did the man really love this missing woman who had been hidden by Sir Collins? He could not have expected a playboy like Adam to be so faithful. But if Adam was still stuck on his first love... what about Melanie?