Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 236

Sunset glow filled the Haven mansion dining room. Adam sat across from his parents, spinning his water glass while nobody spoke.

Sophia cut into her steak. "I still can't believe you let Natalie fly home alone. Do you know how that makes me look?"

Adam took a sip of water, face unreadable. "She chose to leave."

"After you completely froze her out!" Sophia's fork clinked against her plate. "I set this up specifically to help you, and you couldn't even pretend to be interested."

"I was clear from day one," Adam replied, voice cool. "You keep pushing women at me, I keep saying no. Not sure why you're surprised when it blows up."

Sophia's smile tightened. "You could at least try. Natalie comes from an excellent family—"

"Not interested," Adam cut her off. "Can we drop it?"

Sophia's eyes flashed as she reached for her phone. "Actually, there's something else we need to discuss." She slid the device across the table. "Care to explain this?"

Adam glanced down, his poker face intact though something darkened in his eyes. The photos showed Irene sitting with Matthew, who leaned forward holding her wrist, their heads close in what looked like an intimate moment.

"Your precious doctor," Sophia continued, not bothering to hide her satisfaction. "Flaunting around town with Matthew Hayes while supposedly treating you. One minute she's glued to your side, the next she's cozying up to another man."

Adam's finger tapped against the table—a small tell that betrayed his inner turmoil. "A single photo doesn't mean anything," he said, voice controlled despite the twist of jealousy in his gut.

"Innocent?" Sophia scoffed. "Look at them! In public, not even trying to hide it!"

Marcus placed his hand over his wife's. "That's enough."

She pulled back, frustration etched across her face. "Fine. But don't come crying when that woman breaks your heart."

Adam said nothing, but the images had lodged in his mind like splinters.

Back at Adam's place that evening, Irene set up the treatment equipment while he watched from his wheelchair, those photos still playing in his mind.

"All set," Irene said, glancing up to find him staring. "Something wrong? You've been super quiet since I got here."

"Just work stuff," Adam replied.

Irene raised an eyebrow. "Must be some work that has you looking ready to murder someone."

A ghost of a smile touched his lips, then vanished. He watched her prepare the electrodes, her movements quick and confident.

After the silence stretched too long, Adam spoke. "How was the hospital today?"

"Crazy busy," Irene replied, adjusting a sensor. "Little Bell's doing great, though. Might send her home soon."

Adam nodded, eyes following her hands. "Where'd you grab lunch?"

Irene looked up, surprised by the casual question. "Actually, Matthew dragged me to Silver Garden. He wanted my input on a case."

Adam's eyes sharpened. "Matthew Hayes?"

"Yeah," she said, not noticing his sudden interest. "We were looking at some scans when he noticed these." She flicked her wrist, showing the fading bruises. "Completely lost it. Gave me this big lecture about taking care of my hands."

Adam's shoulders relaxed, his face softening as everything made sense.

"Still hurt?" he asked, his voice gentler now.

"Don't even feel it," Irene shrugged. "I can take care of myself, you know."

"Let me see," Adam said suddenly.

Irene hesitated, then held out her arm. Adam took her wrist gently, his warm fingers carefully checking the marks.

"This hurt?" His thumb lightly touched the bruised skin, his eyes full of worry.

"No," Irene answered, suddenly aware of how close they were, how his hand felt against hers. Her heart kicked unexpectedly, sending warmth up her neck.

When she tried to pull back, Adam's fingers stayed loosely wrapped around her wrist. Their eyes met, something electric passing between them—a moment heavy with unspoken possibilities.

"What?" she asked softly.

Adam looked at her for a beat too long, something possessive flickering behind his eyes before he released her wrist. "Nothing."

As they continued, Irene shifted topics. "Alex taught Lucas some coding trick yesterday. You should've seen how proud he was."

"How are those little monsters doing?" Adam asked, voice warming.

"Missing you, actually," Irene smiled. "Lucas keeps asking when you'll teach him more about investing."

Adam's mouth curled up. "I could stop by this weekend."

"They'd love that," Irene replied, imagining Adam with her kids—how naturally they'd bonded, how he'd slipped into their lives like he belonged there.

At home, Irene had barely closed the front door when Lily's excited voice rang out.

"Mom! Is Uncle Adam really coming this weekend?" Lily bounced on the sofa, nearly toppling Lucas's block tower.

"Watch it!" Lucas grabbed his creation before it collapsed.

Irene hung her coat, smiling at the burst of energy that always greeted her. "Yes, Saturday. But only if homework's done first."

The living room erupted in cheers.

Alex adjusted his glasses, watching Irene closely. "You look different tonight, Mom."

Irene paused. "Different how?"

Alex tilted his head, studying her with that too-perceptive gaze. "Just... different. Happier, maybe?"

"I'm always happy to see you monsters," she deflected, ruffling his hair. "Now upstairs—it's late, and you have school tomorrow."

After tucking them in, Irene collapsed onto the couch, alone with her thoughts. Her fingers traced where Adam had touched her wrist, skin still tingling from the memory.

She couldn't keep lying to herself. What she felt for Adam wasn't just thank-you feelings or friendship. Every time he looked at her that way, every little kind thing he did, every private moment they shared—it all felt like something she hadn't experienced in years.

But problems stood in their way. Her three kids. His judgy family. She was his doctor. And the question that worried her most—what if he only liked her now? Once he could walk again and didn't need her help anymore, would he still feel the same?

Irene closed her eyes, remembering how Adam stood up for her in M Country even though it hurt him so much, how he held her like she was precious. That wasn't something a man did unless he really cared.

*Maybe I can just let this play out,* she thought. *Not pushing, not running—just seeing where it goes.*

Hours later, Adam sat alone in his study with just one lamp on, his hair still damp from his bath. The jealousy that had bothered him all day was gone after Irene's simple explanation.

Thomas knocked once before entering, his expression grave. He carried a folder and a small flash drive.

"Sir, we have something on the M Country incident."

Adam's relaxed demeanor vanished instantly. "What'd you find?"

Thomas opened a laptop. "Security footage from near the hospital, day before the kidnapping."

The video showed a tall man in an expensive suit speaking with one of the kidnappers. Though his face remained hidden, his commanding posture screamed money and power.

"They were hired just to grab Irene," Thomas explained, his voice harder now. "This guy gave them her photo, schedule—everything they needed."

Adam gripped his armrests so tight his knuckles turned white. "Find him. I don't care what it costs or how many people we need. Find him."

"We're looking," Thomas nodded. "But he was careful—didn't leave much to go on."

Adam kept staring at the screen, his face going cold and deadly. "Whoever hurt her will regret it. Nobody touches someone I care about and just walks away."

After Thomas left, Adam sat alone in the dark, his anger turning into something dangerous and focused. The man who planned Irene's kidnapping had made one huge mistake—he'd gone after the one person Adam couldn't stand to lose.