Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 117

Adam's mouth twitched at his old teacher's mistake, his eyes darting to Irene for a split second.

Heat crawled up Irene's neck. Her fingers tapped nervously against her hand while her brain short-circuited at the professor's assumption.

*Me and Adam? That's ridiculous. I don't even belong in the same universe as the Havens.*

The thought of having kids with Adam felt like some cosmic joke. She remembered how cold and formal he'd been when first asking her to treat his legs.

She risked a glance his way. Their eyes locked, and something in his gaze made her pulse jump. Whatever lived behind those eyes was too complex to read, but it sent warmth spreading through her chest.

They broke eye contact simultaneously – Irene's cheeks burning hotter while Adam's fingers drummed against his wheelchair.

Dr. Jonathan watched them with the razor-sharp perception of someone who'd spent decades reading people. Understanding dawned in his eyes, replaced quickly by something that looked suspiciously like interest.

*But these kids,* he thought, studying the triplets. *They really could pass for theirs. Those eyes and jawlines...*

"Irene, right?" Dr. Jonathan smiled apologetically. "Adam mentioned you earlier. Sorry about the mix-up."

The triplets pressed their hands over their mouths, barely containing their excitement. *Dad's teacher figured it out instantly! He's so smart!*

"No worries," Irene said, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "Happens all the time."

It absolutely did not happen all the time, and her awkward laugh made that painfully obvious.

Adam watched her from the corner of his eye, his expression softening as he caught her nervous fidgeting.

"So," Dr. Jonathan pivoted smoothly, "any prior math or calligraphy training for these three?"

"Just basics," Irene said, grateful for the lifeline.

Dr. Jonathan nodded, eyeing the triplets with growing curiosity. He glanced at Adam, clearly itching to see what they could do.

"Thomas, grab the study materials from my office," Adam said, catching the hint immediately.

Thomas slipped away while the triplets waited with surprising patience. No fidgeting, no whining – just alert, bright-eyed anticipation.

When Thomas returned with papers and writing supplies, Dr. Jonathan smiled. "Show me what you've got."

As the kids settled in, he noted their focused energy. *Good balance of enthusiasm and discipline. Perfect for serious learning.*

The triplets exchanged their secret telepathic glance before diving in. Alex attacked the problems with steady confidence, his pencil moving with eerie precision for such small hands. Lucas took creative shortcuts, finding solutions that shouldn't have occurred to a five-year-old. Lily's handwriting flowed with impossible grace, her answers methodical yet innovative.

Irene held her breath. Would Jonathan find them lacking? Would he think she'd oversold their abilities?

The professor's face told a different story. His eyes lit up with the unmistakable fire of a teacher who'd stumbled onto raw talent.

"Incredible!" he exclaimed, looking up from their work. "Adam, I'm taking these three as my students. Non-negotiable."

His tone left zero wiggle room, not that anyone was arguing.

"With the right guidance..." He shook his head, at a rare loss for words. "Well, the sky's the limit."

Irene exhaled, tension draining from her shoulders. "That would be amazing. Thank you."

Adam and Thomas exchanged pleased looks as the triplets beamed under the praise.

Alex stepped forward, his small face comically serious. "Quick question – what do we call you? Adam says 'Professor,' but that feels weird for us."

Lucas bounced on his toes. "How about 'Senior Professor'? That works, right?"

*Adam's teacher deserves extra respect*, Lucas thought. *He taught our dad, after all!*

Dr. Jonathan chuckled, clearly charmed. "Senior Professor! I like the promotion."

Irene started to intervene – the kids were being presumptuous – but Jonathan's genuine delight stopped her.

"Now for logistics," Joseph said, leaning forward on his cane. "How often can you meet with them?"

After some back-and-forth, they settled on Monday sessions until formal schooling began.

As lunchtime approached, Irene couldn't send the distinguished professor away hungry. "Stay for lunch? It's the least we can do."

His eyes crinkled. "Twist my arm, why don't you."

Irene put extra care into the meal. When they finally sat down, Dr. Jonathan made appreciative noises with every bite.

"Remarkable," he said between mouthfuls. "A woman of many talents."

"Since the kids aren't in school yet," he added, setting down his fork, "weekly lessons would work perfectly. No sense wasting potential."

Adam's lips curved upward. "Still can't stay away from teaching? Retirement too boring?"

"Teaching kids like these isn't work," Jonathan laughed. "And with cooking like this thrown in? I'd be a fool to say no."

The room filled with easy laughter.

"Plus," Jonathan added with a sly glance at Joseph, "I might challenge your grandfather to chess after lessons."

Joseph's eyes lit up. "Finally! Someone worth playing against."

The two older men grinned, clearly pleased with the arrangement.

Later, Irene walked Jonathan to the door, chatting briefly before saying goodbye. Turning back, she caught Adam watching her from the window, his gaze tracking her movement.

She practically floated back inside, riding high on the morning's success. *People in this city would pay fortunes for Jonathan to teach their kids. And he agreed to do it weekly, just because Adam asked.*

She approached Adam, genuine gratitude softening her features. "Seriously, thank you for setting this up. It means everything." Her fingers fidgeted with her shirt hem.

"How many more times are you planning to thank me?" Adam asked, a rare lightness in his tone. His eyes never left hers.

Irene bit her lip, fighting a shy smile.

*It was nothing*, Adam thought. *I like those kids. Anyone would recognize their potential. Jonathan wanted to teach them – I barely had to ask. But seeing her smile like this... worth it.*

The triplets had been watching this exchange, practically vibrating with impatience. Finally, they couldn't contain themselves.

"Thanks are nice and all," Lucas said, struggling to keep a straight face, "but Mom, just saying it seems... kinda lame." Mischief danced in his eyes.

Irene turned to them, completely unsuspecting. "What would be properly grateful, then?"

The triplets locked eyes, their grins growing impossibly wide.

Lucas took a deep breath and blurted, "Something real – like marrying him!"

The room froze. Time seemed to stop.

Adam's hand gripped his wheelchair armrest, his eyes widening before he caught himself. He shifted position and fixed his attention on a bird landing in the garden. The tips of his ears turned bright pink as he risked one quick glance at Irene before looking away.

Irene froze, sure she'd misheard. Her face shifted from confusion to shock to pure horror as understanding hit.

Her cheeks burned red. She narrowed her eyes at Lucas, her voice barely above a whisper. "What did you just say?"

The triplets stood their ground, their innocent faces completely unapologetic about the chaos they'd just caused.

In the corner, Thomas bit the inside of his cheek, desperately trying not to laugh. He turned away, pretending to sort papers while his shoulders silently shook.

Adam went still, his face a perfect mask – but his knuckles turned white against the wheelchair armrest, the only sign Lucas's words had gotten to him.

The air seemed to crackle with unspoken possibilities.