The Billionaire's Insignificant Wife novel Chapter 186

Daniel didn't need long to decide his next move.

Returning from the hospital, he went directly to the office. The burning anger throughout the journey he didn't let explode. Instead, he transformed it into something far more dangerous—cold calculation.

Adrian Lawson.

The man had crossed a line. Sitting too close to Alina. Looking at her too long. Whispering promises of freedom into the ears of a woman who belonged to Daniel. And what Daniel could tolerate least—Alina was starting to listen.

Daniel wouldn't touch Adrian directly. Not yet.

That was too easy. Too fast. And too suspicious, given that a journalist had just "committed suicide" a few hours ago.

No. Daniel had a more elegant way of sending a message.

He would destroy Adrian in a way that couldn't be traced back to him. Through roots. Through his family.

Through William Montgomery.

---

Daniel sat in his work chair, slowly turning a pen between his fingers while Marcus stood before him with a tablet in hand.

"What about the collaboration offer we submitted to Montgomery Group back in Chicago?" Daniel asked without raising his gaze.

Marcus checked his notes. "No reply yet, Sir. It's been more than two weeks since the proposal was sent."

The corner of Daniel's lips lifted. Cold.

"Two weeks," he repeated quietly. "More than enough."

"Sir?"

"William Montgomery thinks he can make me wait." Daniel placed the pen on the desk with a measured movement. "No reply is a reply, Marcus. They're declining. And I'm not someone who likes waiting for an answer that's already clear."

Daniel stood, walking toward the large window facing the heart of the city.

"If they don't want to work together," he said, "then I'll dominate that market myself."

Marcus frowned. "But Montgomery dominates that sector quite strongly, Sir. Taking over their market won't be easy—"

"It won't be easy," Daniel interrupted, "if I play by their rules. But I won't do that." He turned, his eyes burning with something cold. "Starting now, take every opportunity Montgomery is targeting. Offer prices they can't match. And their business partners who are starting to waver—those who feel Montgomery is no longer profitable—welcome them. Give them reasons to switch."

Marcus wrote quickly. "How aggressive do you want it, Sir?"

Daniel smiled thinly. "Very."

---

What Daniel did next happened with surprising speed.

Within days, Blackwood Enterprises moved like a predator that had been waiting a long time. Several major business partners of Montgomery Group—who had been loyal because there were no better options—suddenly received offers too enticing to refuse. More profitable contracts. Lighter terms. Stronger guarantees.

One by one, they switched.

Daniel didn't take them by force. He didn't need to. He just opened the door, and let human greed do the rest.

And when the news reached William Montgomery's ears, the phone on Daniel's desk rang.

---

He stared at the screen before him. Red numbers lined up there—Montgomery Group's shares declining, one by one, like a row of dominoes he had just toppled with a single touch of a finger.

The corner of his lips lifted in a smile that was cold and full of satisfaction.

William Montgomery didn't even know why all of this was happening. Didn't know this wasn't just business competition. Didn't know that this attack had nothing to do with the postponed collaboration proposal.

This was about his son.

This was about Adrian Lawson—the man who dared to sit too close to Alina, who dared to look at Daniel's wife in a way that should have been Daniel's alone.

Daniel wouldn't destroy Adrian directly. That was too easily read. But he could destroy his family. Shake the foundation on which Adrian stood. Make the Montgomery name that had long been magnificent begin to crack, little by little, until Adrian realized that every step he took closer to Alina brought consequences far, far greater than he had imagined.

Adrian might not immediately understand. But eventually he would comprehend. He would see the connection between his closeness with Alina and the slow destruction of his family. And when he understood, he would be faced with the same choice Daniel gave everyone.

Step back. Or be destroyed.

Daniel reached for the glass of scotch at the corner of his desk and poured a little. He lifted it, watching the amber liquid swirl slowly under the light, then drank it in one go.

Warm fire flowed down his throat.

On the screen, one more red number flickered—Montgomery's shares falling further.

Daniel stared at it with a sharp but fully satisfied gaze.

"The first warning for you has been delivered," he murmured quietly to the empty room, his voice almost like a whisper full of threat.

A cold smile etched itself on his lips.

"I hope you enjoy it, Adrian Lawson.”