Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 214

Sophia recovered quickly, smoothing her dress. "Adam, darling, I was just trying to help free up Dr. Sterling's schedule. With her... busy household." Her voice was sweet but her eyes told a different story. "Dr. Snow comes highly recommended—"

The room seemed to get colder as Adam's wheelchair turned sharply toward his mother. Even Thomas took a step back, knowing what was coming.

"Enough." The word cut through the air. When Adam spoke again, his voice was cold and sharp. "My treatment with Dr. Sterling isn't up for debate. I won't tolerate anyone messing with that."

His gaze cut toward Natalie. "Dr. Snow, I don't know what my mother promised you, but you're wasting your time here. Leave."

It was shocking to see—the same man who had gently tied Lucas's shoelaces now looked like he could freeze water with a glance.

Natalie's perfect smile disappeared. Her cheeks went red, eyes showing hurt pride. She clearly wasn't used to being turned down so bluntly.

"Mrs. Haven," she managed, chin lifted, "it seems your son doesn't require my services. I'll see myself out."

She snatched up her folder, turned on her heels and strode toward the door. Each sharp click against the floor betrayed her barely-contained anger.

"Natalie, wait—" Sophia hurried after her, plan crumbling in real time. At the doorway, she paused, throwing one last loaded glance at her son and Irene—equal parts frustration and calculation—before disappearing down the hall.

Thomas slipped out behind them, pulling the door closed with barely a whisper, leaving Adam and Irene suddenly alone.

Adam's hand remained wrapped around Irene's wrist, his grip warm but loose enough that she could break free if she wanted. Through the windows, sunlight brightened the garden outside, a peaceful contrast to the tension in the room.

Irene couldn't stop thinking about Adam's thumb resting right where her pulse beat in her wrist. Could he feel her heart racing? Those five words—"Irene is all I need"—kept repeating in her head, making cracks in her professional boundaries.

Irene tried pulling away, a reflexive grab for control, but his fingers tightened slightly. Heat traveled up her arm from that single point of contact.

His grip slowly softened, but instead of letting go, his thumb began moving in a small, soothing motion against her skin. The gesture was so natural, so unexpected, that she forgot to pull away as his hand gradually slid from her wrist to her palm.

Looking at their connected hands, she found herself meeting his eyes. The intensity she found there was nothing like the cold fury he'd just displayed. This was something else entirely.

"You mad?" His voice had transformed completely, hard edges gone.

"No," she answered, voice pitching higher than normal. "Not worth getting worked up over."

Despite what she said, she was annoyed. She hated being ambushed, hated how Sophia had sized her up like a rival instead of a doctor, hated Natalie's fake smile. But after years of keeping her cool at work, she couldn't just admit she was upset.

Her chin lifted slightly—an unconscious tell.

"Yeah, you are." Just three words, spoken with absolute certainty.

His wheelchair inched forward, closing the gap between them. His eyes never left hers, dark and knowing, seeing right through her attempted poker face.

Irene pressed her lips together, turning toward the window, looking at anything but him. She felt weirdly exposed, like he could see right through her. She'd stayed calm through so many emergencies at work, yet here she was, feelings bubbling up that she couldn't push down.

Adam's fingers slid from her wrist to her hand, enveloping it completely. His thumb traced small circles on her palm, sending unexpected shivers up her spine.

"They're gone now. No need to be upset," he said quietly, his voice carrying a gentle coaxing quality she'd never heard from him before.

Her hand felt small in his grasp. She noticed how his fingers were strong but careful, how the warmth of his skin seemed at odds with his usual cool demeanor. Her pulse jumped traitorously beneath his touch.

Heat crept up her neck to her ears. Her breathing hitched slightly as she realized how this simple contact was smudging lines she'd carefully drawn.

"Let go," she managed, her voice lacking its usual edge.

Irene tugged gently, but Adam showed no intention of releasing her. Afternoon light flooded through the windows, casting their shadows across the floor. In the stillness, her irritation slowly dissolved, replaced by something far more unsettling.

"Your mom clearly thinks we're crossing lines," she finally said, breaking the silence. "She's trying to get rid of me."

She saw right through what Sophia was trying to do. First Samantha, now Natalie—both clearly brought in to cut whatever connection was growing between her and Adam.

"They've always been like this," Adam replied, voice steady. "But it doesn't matter. I make my own decisions." His tone left no room for debate. "Don't let today get to you. I only need you. You're the only doctor I want."

His words made her feel warm all over. The way he looked at her suggested something more than just doctor and patient—something she wasn't ready to think about too hard.

Irene's heart pounded. The way Adam claimed her triggered something deep inside—that feeling of being wanted, being chosen. All her life, she'd been the one people threw away or replaced. Yet here was Adam, standing up to his family just to keep her around.

She suddenly thought of Ocean World, watching him tie Lucas's shoelaces so carefully. That sweet memory blended with right now, making her feel things she'd kept locked away for years.

Her cheeks grew hot. These new feelings scared her—she wasn't used to losing control like this.

"Got it. See you tomorrow." Her voice wavered slightly as panic took over.

With sudden force, she yanked her hand free and practically bolted toward the door, not daring to look back. Her escape was graceless, driven by instinct rather than thought.

Adam turned toward the window, watching her cross the garden. A small smile played on his lips as he flexed his hand, still feeling the warmth where her skin had touched his.

She wasn't as cool and collected as she tried to seem. With him, her real feelings showed through—proving what he'd thought all along: she cared more than she let on. The thought made him smile wider.

He reached for his phone, checked the time, then set it aside. Better to give her space for now.

Meanwhile, Irene closed her door and leaned against it, breathing hard. Her heart was still racing, and her wrist tingled where he'd held it.

*Get it together, Irene. This is getting complicated.*

She thought of her kids, her messy life, all the reasons why these new feelings scared her. Hadn't she just decided to leave the past behind and start fresh? Could Adam really be part of that new beginning? The possibility both terrified and thrilled her.

She pushed open her window for some fresh air, trying to convince herself she was just tired. Her eyes drifted toward Adam's house across the garden, lights still glowing warmly in the gathering dusk.

As the cool breeze hit her face, she couldn't help touching her wrist again, right where his fingers had been.

Maybe, just maybe, it was time to stop running from whatever this was becoming.