Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 220

"Ready to start?" Adam asked.

Irene kept fiddling with her equipment, not looking up. The evening sun made everything in the room glow gold. The flower she'd given him was in a water glass on his desk—adding some color to his plain office.

As she plugged in the last wire, a dizzy spell hit her. Her hand shook a little—leftover from the Little Bell emergency. Working non-stop for twelve hours had wiped her out more than she wanted to admit.

Adam noticed her sway right away. "Hey. You okay?"

"I'm fine," she answered too fast, not even convincing herself.

"Sure you are." His tone said he didn't believe her. "Because totally fine people almost fall over standing still."

He was being sarcastic, but his eyes showed he was worried. Irene straightened up, trying to look professional.

During the treatment, Adam watched her rub her temples and noticed the dark circles under her eyes getting worse. When they finished, she packed up like a robot, moving slower than normal.

"Here," he said, offering her a hot cup.

Irene raised an eyebrow but took it. The cup warmed her hands, and she liked the herbal smell. "What is this?"

"Special recipe." His lips almost smiled. "Just drink it."

She tried a small sip, then took a bigger one. "Pretty good."

Her fingers rubbed her neck, trying to work out a knot that had been bugging her for hours. Adam watched, then asked, "Want some help with that?"

Irene almost laughed. "You? Giving back rubs?"

"I've been watching you do this every day." He held her gaze. "I pay attention."

She was too tired to argue. "Okay. But if you mess up my neck, I'm holding you responsible."

She turned the chair around. When his hands touched her shoulders, she stiffened, then relaxed as his fingers found exactly the right spot.

"Wow," she sighed as the pain melted away. "That actually feels good."

"Told you. I learn fast." His voice was closer than she expected. "Too hard?"

"Mmm." She couldn't form words as his thumbs moved up her spine. "Pretty decent for a beginner."

"I'll take that." She could hear him smiling.

Adam watched her head slowly drop forward with each movement of his hands. Her breathing got slower and deeper. When her head finally rested against his leg, he froze, not sure what to do.

Irene was fast asleep. The tough doctor who never backed down from anyone was now breathing softly against his knee.

Something in his chest tightened. Carefully, he touched her hair, surprised by how soft it felt. He knew he shouldn't, but couldn't make himself stop.

The door opened quietly. Thomas peeked in, eyes widening at the scene.

Adam put a finger to his lips, then mouthed, "Get a blanket."

When Thomas came back, Adam gently covered her. With a quick nod, he sent his assistant away.

Moonlight streamed across the floor. Adam knew he should move her to the guest room or call for help. Instead, he sat still, watching her sleep, feeling strangely peaceful with her head resting against his leg.

Soon his own eyes started closing. He drifted off, his head propped on his hand.

Hours later, Irene woke up confused. Then reality hit her, and her heart started racing. Her hand was still on Adam's leg. He was right there, fast asleep, looking completely different than usual.

Without his serious expression, he seemed younger. His face was relaxed, his long eyelashes dark against his skin. His jaw twitched slightly as he slept.

Before she could move, his eyes opened, catching her watching him.

Something changed in the air between them. A feeling she couldn't name filled the silence. They stared at each other, neither speaking, like they were frozen in time.

Irene finally broke the spell, sitting up quickly. "You let me sleep like this?" Her face felt hot. "Why didn't you—"

"You were tired." His voice was deeper than usual.

"I guess." She couldn't look at him, busying herself with straightening her clothes. Her heart kept pounding like crazy.

Adam watched her, his expression softening. "It's too late to go home. Take the guest room."

She grabbed the excuse. "Just tonight," she agreed, maybe too eagerly.

Morning sunlight slipped under the curtains, but Irene couldn't get up. Her body felt heavy, her head fuzzy. Her throat hurt every time she breathed. She barely registered the sounds of movement in the house outside her door.

When someone knocked, she could hardly muster the energy to call out. The door cracked open, and Adam wheeled in, concern immediately crossing his face when he saw her.

"You look terrible."

"Charming as always." Her voice sounded like sandpaper.

He came closer, touching her forehead. "Damn. You're on fire."

"I'm a doctor. I know how to handle a fever." She pulled the covers over her head.

"Really? Because doctors are always the worst patients." He pulled the blanket down, looking stubborn. "I'm calling Lawrence. No arguing."

Before she could protest, commotion erupted in the hallway. The door flew open wider as her three kids rushed in with Brandon and Wesley right behind them.

"Mom!" they shouted together.

Lily jumped on the bed and put her hand on Irene's forehead. "You're burning up!" Her little face wrinkled with worry. "Is it because you helped Little Bell?"

"Just a cold, sweetie." Irene tried to sound normal. "I'll be better soon."

Lucas handed her a crooked paper star. "Made this in class. It's supposed to be lucky."

"We came as soon as Uncle Adam called," Alex said, pushing his glasses up. "He sounded really worried."

Brandon stood by the door. "Haven called like it was an emergency. We got here as fast as we could."

"He's making too big a deal." She tried to sit up but got dizzy. "It's not serious..."

"Still, you need to rest," Brandon said firmly. "We'll check on you later."

"Feel better, Mom," Alex squeezed her hand.

Lucas tucked his paper star under her pillow. "For extra luck."

Lily gave her a gentle hug. "Don't worry. We'll take care of everything."

Wesley nodded silently from the doorway, his version of showing concern.

"Thanks, guys." Irene smiled despite feeling awful. Their noisy concern wrapped around her like a warm blanket. As exhausted as she was, moments like these reminded her how lucky she was. Family chaos had never felt so good.

They filed out of the room, closing the door softly behind them. Irene sank deeper into her pillows, the memory of their worried faces more comforting than any medicine.

In the living room, Brandon was updating Adam when the doorbell rang.

"That must be Lawrence," Brandon said, glancing toward the door.

"Finally." Adam wheeled toward the entrance. "I was starting to think he got lost."

The triplets clustered around the coffee table, whispering among themselves about ways to help their mom feel better. Wesley stood by the window, scrolling through his phone but clearly paying attention to what was happening.

Adam opened the front door, his expression changing from composed to shocked to darkly furious in an instant.

It wasn't Dr. Lawrence standing there. It was Natalie Snow.

"Mrs. Haven told me Dr. Lawrence wasn't feeling well." Natalie smiled perfectly, standing in the doorway with a medical bag in hand. "She asked me to help instead. Happy to do it."

The entire room froze. Brandon straightened up, immediately alert. The triplets went silent, sensing the sudden tension. Even Wesley looked up from his phone, eyebrows raised.

Adam's hand tightened around the door handle. His voice came out low and dangerous.

"Natalie."

Just one word—her name—but in it was a universe of warning, anger, and the unmistakable sound of battle lines being drawn.