Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 228

Irene sank into the chair by her hotel window, muscles loosening after finishing Adam's evening treatment. She watched the city lights below, a perfect distraction from how much she missed home. The river reflecting streetlamps reminded her of how the kids loved watching boats from their backyard. What she wouldn't give to hear their voices right now.

She glanced at her watch and tapped her tablet. Within seconds, chaos erupted through the speakers.

"Mom! GUYS, MOM'S CALLING!" Lily's voice could probably shatter glass at that pitch.

A stampede of slippers slapped against hardwood before her screen filled with three squished faces, all talking at once.

"Whoa, one at a time," Irene laughed, the knot in her chest loosening at the sight of them. "Anyone been feeding my monsters?"

Alex adjusted his glasses with that serious little-man gesture that always made her heart squeeze. "Everything's according to schedule. Meals, homework, bedtime—all operational." 

"Super good!" Lucas practically headbutted the camera. "Don't even worry about us! Just focus on Uncle Adam!"

The not-so-subtle matchmaking made Irene roll her eyes. "Right. And your uncles? Katherine handling them okay?"

Brandon's face suddenly filled the screen, his expression pure tragedy. "Irene, when are you coming back? I'm dying here!"

"Mom!" Alex cut in, clearly fed up. "Uncle Brandon screams like a baby when Katherine does the exact same treatment you do." He lowered his voice to a stage whisper. "She doesn't baby him like you do."

"I heard that!" Brandon yelped. "Sis, seriously, I might not survive this woman's idea of 'treatment.' My leg's about to fall off!"

*Can't be too bad if he's got enough energy to whine,* Irene thought, biting back a smile.

"And Uncle Wesley?" she asked.

"Same as always." Lucas shrugged. "Eats. Sleeps. Occasionally grunts."

"But he showed us how to draw today!" Lily flipped the camera to display several colorful disasters proudly taped to the wall.

"Modern masterpieces," Irene said, holding back a laugh. "Save me one for the fridge."

The camera flipped back to three expectant faces. A pause, then—

"Where's Uncle Adam?" Lily asked, subtle as a brick.

"Working. That's why we're here, remember?" Irene kept her tone light.

Their collective disappointment was almost comical. Then Lily's eyes narrowed with purpose.

"Mom. Do you *like* Uncle Adam?" she asked with the directness only a five-year-old could muster.

Water went down the wrong pipe as Irene choked. "What kind of—where did that come from?"

Alex pushed his glasses up, all scientific observation. "You're together constantly. And he looks at you differently."

Heat crawled up Irene's neck. "He's my patient. I'm his doctor. End of story."

She caught Brandon's barely concealed smile of relief at the edge of the screen.

A soft knock saved her from further interrogation. The door opened and Adam appeared, haloed by the hallway light.

"Hey."

She turned, surprised. "Bath already done?"

"Not yet." He wheeled closer. "Heard the kids."

Adam maneuvered beside her, lifting a hand toward the screen. The reaction was instant.

"UNCLE ADAM!" Three voices created a perfect high-pitched chord.

Irene handed him the tablet, noting how his usual razor-sharp edges softened as he greeted them.

"Hey, troublemakers."

"Don't work too hard!" Lucas waggled a finger like he'd seen adults do. "Health first!"

"Yeah, remember to rest!" Alex nodded, suddenly an authority on adult wellbeing.

Lily smooshed her face closer. "Miss you lots."

"Me too," Alex added, suddenly shy. "And take care of Mom, okay?"

Adam's mouth curled up at one corner—the closest thing to a real smile Irene had seen from him. He answered each child with surprising patience while Brandon tried unsuccessfully to muscle his way to the front, clearly intent on delivering some brotherly warning.

While Irene chatted with her kids, Natalie was having a very different evening. Next door, she paced back and forth in her fancy suite. The room was perfect—expensive sheets, fresh flowers, amazing view—and she had absolutely nothing to show for the trip. After getting pushed aside all day, she'd had enough.

She grabbed her phone, dialing with perfectly manicured nails.

"Natalie, dear," Sophia Haven's voice poured through like honey. "How are things progressing?"

Natalie let vulnerability creep into her voice. "I've failed you, Mrs. Haven. Dr. Sterling has everything under control. There's simply no place for me here." She paused for effect. "Perhaps when we return, I should step aside."

"Nonsense, child," Sophia soothed. "You've done nothing wrong. These things take time. I'll have a word with my son."

Natalie murmured agreement, listening to more reassurances before hanging up.

She flopped onto the bed, dropping the wounded act. Seed planted. Now to watch it grow.

Just as the kids were showing off their latest drawings, Adam's phone buzzed. His expression darkened as he glanced at the screen.

"Taking this outside," he told Irene, passing back the tablet.

The balcony door shut behind him. "Mother."

"What is wrong with you?" Sophia's voice sliced through pleasantries. "I sent Natalie to help, and you're freezing her out. Do you have any idea how that makes me look?"

She barreled on without pause. "Dragging that poor girl across the world to sit around twiddling her thumbs! It's embarrassing!"

Adam's jaw locked. "Whatever Natalie told you, the reality is I want her gone. These women you keep throwing at me? Pointless." His voice hardened. "I'm not interested. I won't marry them. End of discussion."

"I'm not playing here," he continued, knuckles white around the phone. "You push, I pull away. Try understanding that."

Sophia sighed like she was dealing with a particularly slow child. "I only want someone who can properly support you."

"Haven Enterprise isn't successful enough?" His voice turned sharp. "Our position in Silver City isn't secure enough? What more do you need?"

He paused, watching lights blink on and off across the skyline. "I don't need surface-level improvements. I already have the best doctor, and perhaps..." The words came carefully. "More will develop there."

The silence stretched before Sophia's voice rose sharply. "Adam Haven! That woman with three children? Have you lost your mind?"

"My life. My choice." His voice dropped to ice. "Your thinking is outdated, Mother."

He ended the call, knowing full well this battle was just beginning. The gulf between them stretched wider every day, and neither was built for surrender.

He sat quietly, letting the night air cool his temper before returning inside.

A few minutes later, Adam wheeled back into the room looking like a storm cloud. One glance at his tight jaw told Irene exactly how the call had gone.

"Your mother?" she asked, already knowing.

He nodded once, finger tap-tap-tapping against his armrest—the tiny tell she'd come to recognize.

"Let me help you back," she offered, moving behind his chair.

She pushed him toward the door, comfortable in their shared silence despite the lingering electricity from his call. Just as they reached the threshold, Adam caught her wrist, his touch light but unmistakable.

Irene froze. They locked eyes, and something shifted between them—something neither was ready to name but couldn't ignore. The air felt suddenly thin.

Seconds stretched before Adam released her, his voice dropping. "Thank you."

Heat rushed to her face. "Don't skip your bath. It'll help you relax."

He nodded, eyes still holding hers, seeing far too much.

"Goodnight," she managed, shutting the door a beat too quickly.

Irene leaned against it, feeling her pulse race in her wrist right where his fingers had been. She closed her eyes, savoring the lingering warmth of his touch. For a brief moment, she let herself imagine what it might be like if he reached for her hand again... and what she might do if he didn't let go next time.