Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 160

The morning's anger had cooled to a simmer. She grabbed some water and dropped into a chair by the window, watching shadows stretch across the yard.

Her mind went back to yesterday's surgery—seven long hours focused like crazy, her hands steady even when she was dead tired. No wonder she crashed at Adam's place. She took a drink, thinking about their fight that morning.

As his doctor, she was in charge of his treatment—simple as that. Same time, same routine, every night. But Adam decided on his own to let her sleep instead. Nice thought, annoying result.

Irene took a deep breath, finger-combing her loose hair. She couldn't shake the image of Adam sleeping—his face softened, guard completely down. Still, that didn't give him license to mess with her precisely planned treatment schedule.

She flicked through his recovery data on her tablet. That beautiful upward curve... One missed night might not trash everything, but why risk it?

"Not his call to make," she muttered, tapping the screen harder than necessary.

After a quick rinse, Irene threw on her comfiest clothes. The house sat weirdly quiet until—bang!—the front door flew open and three tornadoes blew in.

"School update?" she called out, finger-fluffing her damp hair. "Homework status? And maybe give Adam a break from your constant invasion."

*My kids*, she thought with a stab of jealousy, *suddenly Team Adam instead of Team Mom*.

The triplets traded looks that screamed "we're up to something" before slapping on angel faces.

"School was snoresville," Lucas groaned, belly-flopping onto the couch. "Homework? Please. Knocked it out ages ago."

Irene curled up with her tablet, still obsessing over Adam's charts. Within seconds, she found herself ambushed by three suspiciously helpful children. Lily materialized with tea, Lucas appeared with water, and Alex's tiny fingers started working the knots in her shoulders.

She dropped her tablet, eyebrow shooting up. "Okay, spill it. What's the angle here?"

Lucas's face twisted before he cracked. "Mom, you still mad at Uncle Adam? Can you maybe... not be?"

Irene stayed quiet, weighing her response.

"He was totally freaking about you," Lucas continued. "Last night he put the hammer down about noise because you were zonked."

Alex jumped in. "He kept checking if you were okay."

"Dude barely slept," Lily whispered.

Alex went nuclear. "Mom, anger equals wrinkles! Scientific fact! You're the hottest mom in Silver City—why risk it?"

Irene's lips finally cracked into a smile. She pinched Alex's cheek. "Who taught you to talk like that?"

Whatever leftover anger she'd been nursing evaporated under her kids' full-court press, though she kept her game face on, secretly loving the attention.

Alex snuck a glance outside and muttered, "Uncle better hurry up. Mom's smiling—mission possible."

Just as Irene hit the kitchen to tackle dinner, the doorbell sang out. Sparkle nailed the impression from his cage: "Ding-dong, visitor!"

She wiped her hands and shoved a hair chunk behind her ear before yanking the door open.

There sat Adam, Mr. Ice King himself, looking weirdly... nervous? A massive bunch of blood-red roses filled his lap. Thomas hovered in the background, clearly giving them the stage.

Adam's fingers drummed against the wrapping—his dead giveaway tell. He thrust the flowers at her, looking nothing like his usual smooth CEO self.

"For you," he said simply.

From the shadows, three tiny spies watched their master plan click perfectly into place.

"Kids mentioned you like flowers," Adam continued, voice hitting a lower register. His eyes locked onto hers. "Won't hijack your medical decisions again. That's your turf."

The apology seemed to unwind something in him, though his gaze stayed glued to her, scanning for reactions.

Irene took the roses, her fingers accidentally grazing his. They both froze at the contact, like teenagers touching for the first time.

Up close, she saw something in his eyes she rarely noticed—real honesty and a glimpse behind his perfect mask. The roses smelled amazing as her heart started beating faster, a strange warmth spreading through her chest.

Trying not to smile, she said, "Since you brought flowers all the way over here, I'll let it go this time." She pointed at him. "Change my treatment plans again, though, and we'll have problems."

A smile ghosted across Adam's mouth, his eyes warming. "Crystal clear, Doctor."

Their eyes met, and something sparked between them—something neither was ready to talk about yet.

Joseph materialized from his study, vintage teacup in hand. He took in the doorway scene, eyebrow climbing as his gaze moved between them.

The old man understood immediately. *Maybe this Haven kid's got more substance than I thought*, Joseph mused. *I haven't seen a connection like that in decades.*

Joseph cleared his throat with zero subtlety.

Irene jumped like she'd been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "I should put these in water," she mumbled, turning away quickly.

When Irene reappeared, the triplets—smelling victory in the air—swapped looks, green-lighting phase two.

"Guys! Massive news!" Lucas exclaimed. "Epic fireworks show at Silver Beach tonight! City birthday bash!"

Lily bounced excitedly. "Fireworks! Colors going boom everywhere!"

Alex slid in smoothly. "Uncle, flowers are cool, but real apologies need action."

Lucas hit his mom with puppy eyes. "Please? We haven't seen any since moving home!"

Irene read her kids like a billboard but couldn't fight the smile. "This whole thing was a setup, wasn't it?"

Lily planted hands on hips. "Everyone says they're the best fireworks in the country!"

"Besides," Alex added, "it's actually punishment for Uncle Adam. Wheelchair plus sand equals total workout."

Adam laughed—a rare sound. "Sand and wheels don't mix. But I'm game for this punishment."

Joseph set down his cup. "Nothing beats a good fireworks show. Used to catch them all the time." He leveled a look at Adam. "Bet your calendar doesn't make room for stuff like this much, does it?"

"Excel doesn't schedule fun," Adam replied with a small smile.

"All work makes Jack a dull boy," the old man chuckled. "You young people need to get out more."

The triplets swarmed Joseph. "Come too, Great-gramps!"

Joseph patted Lily's head. "This old-timer's sitting this one out. Beach winds and ancient bones don't mix."

Irene hesitated. "The crowds though... All that noise might mess with your recovery..."

"Doc, my legs can survive some exploding gunpowder," Adam countered.

Irene caved under the four-way assault. "Fine. But my treatment kit's coming with us."

The triplets bolted upstairs to change, leaving sudden silence in their wake.

Irene arranged the sprawling bouquet. "Thanks for these... they're pretty spectacular."

"Don't make a habit of apologizing," Adam admitted. "Thomas swore flowers were the express lane to forgiveness."

Irene spun around, startling at his closeness. "They work. But next time, doctor's orders are basically the law."

His eyes locked on hers. "Message received. Your medical calls—I'm hands off."

She caught the dark circles under his eyes. "You look like you didn't sleep much either."

"I didn't," Adam admitted. "Kept wondering if I should have woken you up after all."

That vulnerability hit her right in the chest, her anger evaporating faster than she wanted to admit.

Suddenly, Sparkle called out: "Handsome guy!"

The triplets thundered downstairs. "Ready to roll!"

Thomas appeared in the doorway. "Chariot awaits."

Adam turned toward the door, looking back at Irene. "Ready for some fireworks, Doctor?"

She snagged her jacket, fighting a smile. "Let's do this."

From the window, Joseph watched them leave. *Those two*, he thought with a smile, *might make some fireworks of their own tonight*.