Chapter 62: A Stupid Chess Piece

Evening, the Adams Mansion.

"Bang!"

Alan Adams slammed his hand on the table, making the cups jump.

"You idiot!"

He pointed at George, kneeling on the floor, trembling with rage. "I sent you to that party to make connections, not to offend military big shots!"

"Father, I..."

George kept his head down, not daring to defend himself.

"Do you have any idea how much trouble you almost brought on the family tonight?"

Alan paced back and forth in the study. "That Leo—even your uncle has to salute him. And you dared to provoke him?"

"How was I supposed to know he..."

"Shut up!"

Alan roared. "From today on, you stay home. You're not going anywhere."

"Yes..."

George hung his head.

"Alright, Alan."

Malcolm, who had been standing in the corner, finally spoke up.

He held a glass of red wine, slowly walking over to Alan's side.

"George made a mistake. Just teach him a lesson. Why get so angry?"

"You've got some nerve."

Alan turned around, glaring at his own brother. "If you hadn't pushed George to go after Chloe, would he have provoked that Leo?"

"I was doing it for the family's good."

Malcolm smiled dismissively. "The Rosenberg family is leaderless right now. It's the perfect time to move in on their assets."

"And..."

He lowered his voice, leaning close to Alan's ear. "The Vanderbilt family's territory is also in chaos. Sophia just took power—her foundation isn't stable."

"With an opportunity like this, why shouldn't we take it?"

Alan was silent for a few seconds.

Of course, he knew this was indeed a rare opportunity.

But...

"Malcolm, I'm warning you."

Alan took a deep breath, lowering his voice. "That Leo isn't someone to mess with."

"He destroyed the Romano family, wiped out the Drake family—that means he has power we don't know about."

"Someone like that, we can't afford to provoke."

"Can't afford to?"

Malcolm laughed scornfully. "Alan, when did you become so timid?"

"He's just some military guy. So what if he's powerful?"

"The Adams family has been operating in New York for so many years. Are we really afraid of some outsider?"

Alan frowned, not responding.

"Besides..."

Malcolm went on. "The Vanderbilt family's holdings right now—it's all prime real estate. Those plots in Manhattan, just get one and we'll make a fortune."

"Chances like this don't come twice."

Alan was silent for a long time.

"Fine."

He finally nodded. "I agree."

"Excellent."

A gleam of satisfaction flashed in Malcolm's eyes. "Then I'll go arrange it now..."

"Wait."

Alan suddenly stopped him. "Remember, make it clean. Don't leave any evidence."

"And absolutely don't let anyone trace it back to us."

"Don't worry."

Malcolm patted his chest confidently. "I've done this kind of thing many times. There won't be any problems."

"Good."

Alan waved his hand. "Go."

Malcolm left the study with excitement written all over his face.

After he left.

Alan sat back down in his chair, picked up his cup, and took a light sip.

"Father..."

George, still kneeling on the floor, carefully spoke up. "Are you really going to let him grab territory?"

"Shut up."

Alan gave him a cold look, then gazed out the window. "Remember, just because you promise someone something doesn't mean you have to follow through."

George immediately closed his mouth.

He wasn't stupid. Malcolm clearly had someone backing him, which was why he was so arrogant.

Right now, he genuinely admired his own father, because he didn't believe someone like Malcolm could succeed.

Alan looked at the night outside, a cold smile playing at his lips.

Foolish brother.

Did he really think I would offend that Leo over a few plots of land?

But if Malcolm actually pulled it off, that achievement would belong to the Adams family.

If he failed...

Then that was Malcolm acting on his own, nothing to do with Alan Adams.

Either way, Alan wouldn't lose.

This was what set a true family head apart.

At the mansion entrance.

Malcolm hummed a tune, walking with light steps toward his ride.

A black Bentley was parked at the entrance.

The driver respectfully opened the car door for him.

Malcolm got in the car, in high spirits.

Alan had finally agreed.

Once he took those plots from the Vanderbilt family, his status in the family would rise significantly.

By then...

Maybe he could even compete for the position of family head.

However.

The moment the car door closed, Malcolm suddenly noticed a man in a black trench coat sitting in the passenger seat.

"You... why are you here?"

Malcolm's smugness instantly vanished, his attitude turning respectful.

He recognized this person.

It was the mysterious figure who had approached him a few days ago, asking him to arrange for George to test Leo.

Though he didn't know the man's true identity, judging from the intelligence and influence he commanded, he definitely wasn't someone Malcolm could afford to offend.

"Good performance tonight."

The man's voice was cold, yet carried a hint of approval. "Through George, you managed to probe some of Leo's background."

"You're too kind."

Malcolm's face broke into a fawning smile, but inside he was secretly pleased.

That's right.

Tonight's test was a success.

Leo might have a high military rank, but George was released, completely unharmed.

What did that mean?

It meant Leo was nothing special.

He didn't dare do anything to the Adams family.

"Looks like you have some thoughts."

The man slowly turned his head, those cold eyes looking at Malcolm through the mask.

"Let's hear them."

"It's like this..."

Malcolm suppressed his excitement, putting on a thoughtful expression. "Tonight's test proved that while Leo has some military backing, he doesn't dare act recklessly."

"George challenged him in public, and he still let him go in the end."

"This means..."

A cunning gleam flashed in Malcolm's eyes. "He also has to take the Adams family's influence in New York into account."

"Go on."

The man's voice remained cold.

"So I think..."

Malcolm carefully tested the waters. "Now is the perfect time to move. The Vanderbilt family just went through upheaval, and that woman Sophia's foundation isn't stable."

"If we strike now and take some territory, even if Leo is unhappy, he won't dare do anything to us."

"After all..."

Malcolm grew more excited as he spoke. "He's just a military man. No matter how capable, he has to play by the rules. And the Adams family has connections in both the underworld and the authorities in New York. If he moves against us, he's going against New York's whole order."

The man let out a faint laugh.

That laugh was eerie, making Malcolm's heart tighten.

"What... what are you laughing at?"

"Nothing."

The man pulled out a document from inside his trench coat and tossed it onto Malcolm's lap.

"This contains detailed information on all the Vanderbilt family's assets in Manhattan. Including security arrangements, personnel assignments, even safe combinations."

"The night after tomorrow at eight, warehouse seventeen in Manhattan's west district will receive a shipment worth over a hundred million dollars."

"There are only ten guards there."

The man paused. "I'm giving you this opportunity. Whether you can seize it is up to you."

Malcolm opened the document and quickly scanned it.

The information inside was frighteningly detailed.

It even recorded what time Sophia woke up each day.

"This... this..."

Malcolm looked at the document in shock, then wild joy surged through him.

A shipment worth over a hundred million dollars.

If he took it, his status in the family would immediately double.

"Don't worry."

Malcolm trembled with excitement. "I won't let you down."

Though he remained respectful on the surface, inside, he was already getting cocky.

Leo?

Nothing special.

If he were really that capable, how could the Vanderbilt family's intel be leaked so thoroughly?

Looks like he'd been overestimating him before.

What Reaper, what destroying the Romano family...

Probably all just talk.

"Remember."

The man stood up, preparing to get out. "The night after tomorrow at eight. Warehouse seventeen, Manhattan west district."

"Don't disappoint me."

"Yes. Don't worry."

Malcolm patted his chest in assurance.

The man pushed open the car door and disappeared into the night.

After he left.

Malcolm looked at the document in his hands, a smug smile playing at his lips.

"Hahaha..."

He couldn't help laughing out loud.

Though he didn't know the mysterious figure's identity, being able to obtain such detailed intel meant there was definitely a big shot backing him.

And Malcolm himself...

He was the agent that the big shot had chosen.

"Leo..."

Malcolm sneered. "I'll show you what real New York local power looks like."

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, it's me. Get everyone together the night after tomorrow. I've got a big job."

"Yeah, bring the hardware."

"After we pull this off, everybody gets rich."

After hanging up, Malcolm leaned back in the leather seat and closed his eyes.

In his mind, he was already picturing himself at the family meeting after tomorrow night's success, full of confidence and pride.

By then...

Even that coward Alan would have to admit that he was the true heir to the Adams family.