Sam’s POV

Sam leaned back in his leather chair, fingers tapping rhythmically against the surface of his desk as he listened to his assistant rattle off updates.

The muted sound of the city hummed outside the large glass windows of his office, but his focus was solely on the chaos he had orchestrated.

"Sir, the protest outside Anderson Industries escalated just as you predicted," Nathan, one of his most trusted associates, reported, "Security had to step in and there was some minor damage to company property. Employees were unable to enter the building for a while, and some even walked out, frustrated by the lack of order. Investors are getting skittish. Anderson Industries' stocks have already dropped by seven percent since the incident began."

Sam smirked, his lips curling in satisfaction.

Seven percent was a good start, but not enough, not nearly enough.

Jeff Anderson was a titan in the business world, a man who had spent years solidifying his reputation, building a company that seemed indestructible.

Sam knew that a single protest wouldn’t bring him down, not permanently. Jeff had clawed his way out of worse situations before and this time would be no different.

The man was relentless. Resilient. A cockroach that refused to be crushed.

He needed something more, something lasting.

Nathan cleared his throat, sensing his boss’s deep contemplation, "Should we continue fueling the protests sir? Pay a few more people to cause a bigger scene?"

Sam exhaled slowly, weighing his options, "No. That will only give Jeff an opening to play the victim, he’ll spin this into some underdog redemption story and the media will eat it up. We need something that will actually leave a scar."

Before Nathan could respond, Sam's phone buzzed on his desk. He glanced at the screen, recognizing the encrypted number. A small smile played on his lips as he picked up the call.

"Talk to me." He said smoothly.

"Got something for you boss." A low, familiar voice replied.

It was one of his spies inside Anderson Industries, a man Sam had carefully placed months ago, waiting for the right moment to use him.

"Jeff's driver is picking up his kids from school right now. He’s taking them to Anderson Tower next, Jeff and Emma are supposed to meet them there after wrapping up the day."

Sam stilled, his grip tightening around the phone, Jeff’s kids.

Jason and Anna.

The only reason he had embarked on this warpath journey. Jeff's kids, not his own kid's. 

A slow, deliberate grin stretched across his face, the pieces had just fallen into place.

"Perfect.” Sam murmured.

There was a pause on the other end before the spy asked hesitantly, "What do you want me to do?"

Sam leaned forward, his pulse thrumming with new excitement, "Nothing. Just keep your mouth shut and pretend you don’t know anything, I’ll handle the rest."

The call ended and Sam immediately turned to Nathan, his mind already racing ahead, "I need a team and I need one fast, with people we can trust. No slip-ups."

Nathan's brows furrowed, "For what sir?"

Sam stood, adjusting the cuffs of his tailored suit, "We’re going to send Jeff Anderson a message he won’t be able to ignore. I want those kids."

Nathan hesitated, "Sir, are you sure? This is crossing a line…”

Sam's expression darkened instantly, "We crossed the line the day he destroyed my life Nathan, the day he took everything from me. And now? Now, I'm just making sure he understands how it feels."

Nathan swallowed but nodded, "I’ll make the calls."

Sam watched as his assistant left the room, the weight of what he was about to do settling deep in his chest.

He wasn’t a monster, at least, that’s what he told himself. He didn’t want to hurt Jason and Anna, not really, but they were leverage. They were the pressure point he needed to break Jeff completely.

And once Jeff was broken, there would be no coming back.

^^^^^^^^^_^

It was almost too easy.

Sam sat in the backseat of his sleek black sedan, parked at a discreet distance from Anderson Industries, his eyes locked on the entrance.

From this vantage point, he could see everything, every movement, every unsuspecting step his targets took. He had planned this moment meticulously. The waiting only heightened the satisfaction that was to come.

His focus remained on the street ahead, on the town car that would be arriving soon, carrying the two most valuable pawns in his game.

Through his earpiece, he listened as his men reported their positions, "Target vehicle in sight. Two kids in the backseat. Driver alone, no security detail following."

Amateurs.

Jeff Anderson might have been ruthless in the boardroom, but when it came to his family, he had let his guard down.

Sam nodded to the man beside him, signaling it was time.

His fingers drummed lightly against his thigh as he watched the scene unfold. Jeff’s town car approached, pulling up in front of the building just as planned.

The timing was perfect, almost too perfect. The doors opened, and out stepped Jeff Anderson, his ever-imposing figure standing tall beside Emma.

Then, right on cue, Jason and Anna appeared, their small figures darting toward their parents.

Sam leaned forward slightly, his pulse quickening.

Showtime.

He could have intercepted the car before it even reached Anderson Industries, taken the kids without an audience, but that wasn’t the point.

He wanted Jeff and Emma to see it happen. He wanted them to witness their world crumble right in front of them, to feel that sheer, unfiltered helplessness.

And that was exactly what happened.

The second Jason and Anna were within reach, a sudden burst of white smoke engulfed the area. People screamed in confusion, shielding their eyes and coughing as the thick fog spread through the street. Sam watched as the chaos unfolded, his lips curling in satisfaction.

Emma's panicked figure emerged from the haze first, spinning in frantic desperation, calling out the names of her children. Jeff, usually so composed, looked frozen, his sharp eyes darting around, fists clenched at his sides, his mind racing a mile a minute but unable to do a damn thing.

It was beautiful.

By the time the smoke cleared, Jason and Anna were gone.

Sam exhaled slowly, savoring the moment before his phone buzzed in his hand.

“They’re secure.” A voice confirmed on the other end.

He didn’t waste another second, “Drive.” he instructed his driver.

The car smoothly pulled away from the curb, merging into traffic as the chaos at Anderson Industries continued behind them.

The safe house was just outside the city, an inconspicuous two-story building surrounded by thick trees. No cameras, no prying eyes, just the way he wanted it.

When Sam stepped inside, he expected to see Jason and Anna huddled in fear, maybe a little shaken but unharmed. What he didn’t expect was to find them knocked out cold.

His eyes darkened instantly.

“What the hell happened?” His voice was sharp, slicing through the tension in the room.

One of his men, a burly figure named Kane, shifted uncomfortably under his glare, “They were screaming too much,” he explained, “Didn’t want to take any chances, so we gave ‘em something to quiet down.”

Sam’s jaw clenched, “You drugged them?”

“Just a little boss. Nothing lethal…”

“You drugged children?” Sam’s voice dropped, dangerously low now.

Kane paled, “Boss, it’s not what….”

“You think I wanted this?” Sam snapped, stepping closer, his presence suffocating, “They were just supposed to be scared, not unconscious.” His chest rose and fell with restrained fury, “How much did you give them?”

Kane hesitated.

“How much?!”

“A high dose,” another man admitted quietly, “Too high. Because they’re kids, it hit them harder than we expected. They’ll be out for a while.”

Sam let out a slow breath, his fists clenching and unclenching. This was not the plan. He needed those kids awake. He needed them aware of their situation, scared enough to make Jeff and Emma cooperate.

But now? He had to wait.

His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he pulled it out to see multiple missed calls and texts, from Emma.

Emma: I know you took them.

Emma: Where are they?

Emma: Sam, answer me.

Emma: Please, just let them go.

A few hours passed by later, Sam was sitting in his office, going over some paperwork when his security team alerted him to a disturbance.

“Sir, we have a situation. Emma’s here and she’s causing a scene.”

Sam raised a brow, “Emma?”

“She’s demanding to see you, Jeff’s with her.”

Sam’s lips quirked upward. Persistent but also foolish.

“Throw them out.” He instructed coolly.

“Yes sir.”

Minutes later, his phone buzzed again. Another update.

“They refused to leave sir.”

Sam scoffed, shaking his head before dialing her number. The phone barely rang twice before she answered.

“Leave.” He commanded her. 

“Not until you tell me where my kids are.” Her voice was breathless, desperate, he had her right where he wanted. 

He smirked, “So you already know.”

“You admit it?” He could hear the disbelief in her voice and this only filled him with much joy. 

Sam’s voice remained disturbingly calm, “I never said that.”

“Then prove me wrong, let me see them, let me hear their voices.” She demanded. Sam laughed quietly, he couldn't believe she thought she was in a position to make demands. 

After a long pause, Sam spoke, “You’re in no position to demand anything.”

“Sam please, don’t do this. Whatever your problem is with Jeff and me, don’t involve Jason and Anna, they’re innocent.”

“Innocent?” Sam repeated, his voice turning sharp, “Like I was? Like my family was when you and Jeff destroyed my life?”

“You can’t possibly think this is the same.” She defended. 

“It’s exactly the same,” he hissed, “Ruining Jeff’s company wasn’t enough, getting you fired wasn’t enough because no matter what I did, you both still had each other. You still had something to hold on to.”

His breathing was steady, but his words were laced with bitterness, “That’s why this is the only way.”

He could hear the fear in her voice as the next words tumbled out of her mouth, “Sam, what are you planning?”

“I won’t hurt them,” he said, almost thoughtfully, “Not unless you give me a reason to.”

“What do you want, Sam?” Jeff demanded.

A dark chuckle, Jeff had also decided to join in on the conversation, “Ah Jeff, always so direct. That’s what I liked about you.”

“Say what you want and let my kids go.”

There was a pause, then Sam’s voice dropped to a chilling whisper.

“You’ll do exactly as I say, both of you. Or you’ll never see them again.”

A suffocating silence followed.

Then the call disconnected.

Sam smiled. They’re unraveling.

Perfect.

24 Hours Later

The twins were finally awake.

Sam stood at the doorway of the dimly lit room, watching as Jason and Anna stirred, their small bodies sluggish from the aftereffects of the drugs.

Anna whimpered, rubbing at her eyes, while Jason sat up abruptly, his head snapping toward his sister. “Anna?” His voice was hoarse, “Are you okay?”

She nodded weakly, but her lower lip trembled, “Where are we?”

Jason’s sharp gaze darted around the unfamiliar space before settling on Sam, who casually leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.

Jason’s jaw tightened, “You took us.”

Sam gave him a slow, amused nod, “Smart kid.”

Anna clutched Jason’s hand tightly, fear evident in her wide blue eyes,“I want my mommy.” She whispered.

Sam exhaled through his nose, pushing off the doorframe, “You’ll see them soon enough, but first….” He crouched down to their level, his voice dangerously soft, “We’re going to play a little game.”

Jason glared at him, “We won’t help you.”

Sam chuckled, “Oh, don’t worry. You won’t have a choice.”

He pulled out his phone, ready to make another call.

It was time to begin his full plan.