Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 230

Evening shadows crept across the hotel suite as Irene collapsed into the dining chair. Her body ached all over from the long surgery and hours of check-ups after saving García's life. She'd barely squeezed in a few hours of sleep before rushing back to the hospital, and now tiredness hung on her like a heavy coat.

Adam watched her from across the room, noticing her slumped shoulders and how her eyes kept closing before she'd jerk them open again.

"Food's on the way," he said, setting his phone down. "Ten minutes."

Irene looked up. "You ordered food?"

"Thought you'd be hungry after saving lives all day." His voice stayed even, but his eyes softened. "Got that salmon dish you like."

The fact he remembered something so small made her heart skip in a way that surprised her.

"You need to eat," Adam added, his usual edge softening. "Can't have my doctor dropping from exhaustion."

Irene waved it off. "All in a day's work." But the genuine concern in his voice hit a spot she wasn't prepared to examine too closely.

When the food arrived, Thomas set everything up quickly and quietly. The smell made Irene suddenly realize how long she'd been going on just coffee and willpower.

She took a bite and couldn't help the small sound of appreciation that escaped. "God, I needed this."

Adam's mouth quirked up at one corner. "Good."

Three sharp knocks broke their quiet moment. Thomas moved to the door without waiting to be told, his face already fixed in what Irene thought of as his "guard dog" look.

"Sorry to disturb you, but Dr. Snow insists on speaking with you," Thomas said, his tone suggesting he'd tried and failed to send her away.

Adam didn't even look up. "Let her in."

Natalie burst in with perfect hair and a bright smile that died the moment she spotted Irene at the table with Adam sitting close by. She looked like she'd walked in on something private.

"Oh," she said, the single syllable carrying a truckload of judgment. "I didn't realize I was interrupting."

"What do you need?" Adam asked, cutting straight through the niceties.

Natalie's eyes kept darting between them, something ugly brewing behind her perfect façade. "I wanted to discuss something with you, but clearly you're... busy."

Irene set down her fork, no longer hungry as the room suddenly felt colder. She'd been through enough awkward moments to know when someone was about to lose it.

"Is this your game plan?" Natalie finally snapped, her voice jumping an octave. "Seriously?"

Adam's expression didn't change. "What are you talking about?"

"This!" She waved her hand between them, her perfect smile completely gone now. "What's the point? Your mother made it clear what she wanted, and if you weren't interested, you should've just told me. I don't chase after guys who don't want me. I wouldn't have bothered coming if I'd known."

Irene sat frozen, feeling like she'd walked into a movie halfway through and had no idea what was happening.

"And now you drag me halfway across the world just to ignore me?" Natalie's voice trembled. "Not even basic courtesy—"

"Natalie," Adam cut in, his voice gone cold. "I was clear from the start. Who kept pushing to get closer? Who couldn't take a hint?"

She flinched like he'd slapped her.

"I let you come hoping you'd finally get the message," he continued, voice steady and cold. "If this arrangement isn't working for you, go home. Thomas will handle everything."

For a moment, Natalie just stood there, unable to speak. Her hands balled into fists and her face turned red in blotchy spots. Without another word, she spun around and slammed the door so hard the walls shook.

The quiet that followed felt heavy and tense. Irene stared at her half-eaten food, suddenly very interested in pushing it around her plate.

"Eat," Adam said, acting like nothing had happened. "Before it gets cold."

Irene poked at her salmon. "Aren't you worried she'll actually leave?"

"Let her." The words dropped like stones, uncomplicated by doubt.

"Thomas," Adam called, not looking away from Irene. "Keep an eye on her. Make sure she gets on a plane safely if she's serious."

Thomas nodded and disappeared like smoke.

*No wonder people get nervous around him*, Irene thought, feeling a grudging respect. No drama, no dragging things out—just quick decisions and moving on. She'd known too many guys who loved keeping women guessing, just to feel important.

They settled back into a surprisingly comfortable silence. Irene finished her meal while Adam occasionally glanced up to make sure she was actually eating, not just pushing food around.

"Time for your treatment," she said finally, pushing back from the table.

Adam frowned. "You've been running around all day saving García. Let's skip it tonight."

"I'm not made of glass," Irene countered, already reaching for her bag.

His hand caught her wrist, gentle but surprising. The touch sent a warm feeling up her arm.

"Would missing one night really hurt?" His voice got softer, quieter. "I'm getting better faster than we thought. If I lose ground, I'll work twice as hard tomorrow."

His eyes met hers, more open than she'd ever seen them. "I don't want you wearing yourself out. We've skipped before and everything was fine."

Irene felt her resolve crumbling. Adam's progress had been remarkable—she'd never seen anyone respond to the treatment so quickly.

"You wouldn't risk my health," he said quietly. "And I won't risk yours. If you get sick from pushing too hard, what happens to my treatment?"

His fingers brushed her shoulder, so quickly she might have imagined it, except for the warm feeling that stayed. "So... just tonight?"

The honesty in his voice caught her off guard. This was Adam Haven—the same guy who made everyone nervous in meetings—looking at her with real worry. The difference between public Adam and private Adam surprised her every time.

Irene looked into his eyes and felt that now-familiar flutter in her chest, happening more often these days. Those eyes seemed to see right through her, making her heart beat faster whenever they looked at her like now. His moments of kindness made it harder to keep things professional.

*It's getting harder to pretend*, she thought to herself. Each little nice thing he did made keeping her distance more difficult. Her brain listed all the problems—three kids, complicated past, his powerful family—but her heart didn't seem to care, drawn to him like she couldn't help it.

"Fine," she sighed. "Just tonight."

"Thank you." The words came out softer than she'd ever heard from him.

His fingertips brushed against the back of her hand, making her heart jump. Their eyes met and held for just a second too long before both looked away, the space between them filled with feelings neither was ready to talk about.

Miles away in Silver City, Samantha's phone buzzed. Her finger tapped the screen as a cold smile appeared.

"Miss Wright, update from M Country. Sterling and Haven are busy with García. They're not paying attention to much else."

Samantha's smile grew wider. "Finally."

She sat up straight, suddenly all business. "Even Adam can't watch her all the time. Follow the plan. Wait for my signal."

After hanging up, she opened her laptop and checked every part of her plan one more time, her eyes cold and determined in the dim room.

"The good doctor needs to learn," she said quietly to herself, "what kind of game she's gotten into—and who she's really up against."