Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 287

The front door had barely opened when three small blurs launched themselves at Irene.

"Mom!" Lily crashed into her legs, nearly toppling her backward. Lucas and Alex weren't far behind, their faces a mix of relief and leftover worry.

"Careful with her feet," Adam cautioned as Irene winced slightly. "Your mom's a little banged up."

The triplets immediately stepped back, eyes wide as they took in the bandages on Irene's feet and the fading marks on her wrists.

"What happened?" Alex's glasses slid down his nose as he peered at her injuries.

"Did the bad people hurt you?" Lucas asked, his voice small.

Irene knelt down, gathering them close despite the pain. "I'm okay, just some scratches. Nothing that won't heal."

"Did you fight them off?" Lily's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Like in the movies?"

"Something like that." Irene exchanged glances with Adam, both agreeing silently to spare the kids the scarier details.

Joseph appeared in the living room doorway, leaning heavily on his cane. His weathered face relaxed visibly at the sight of Irene.

"About time you two figured things out," he said, eyes twinkling as he took in their proximity. "Thought I'd have to lock you both in a room."

Adam rolled his eyes. "Good morning to you too, old man."

The triplets' heads whipped back and forth between the adults, picking up on the undercurrent immediately.

"Wait." Lucas stepped forward, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Are you and Uncle Adam...?"

"Finally!" Alex threw his hands up. "We've been working on this forever!"

Lily bounced on her toes. "Does this mean Uncle Adam will live with us now? Or are we moving to his house?"

Irene's mouth fell open. "Hold on—what do you mean you've been 'working on this'?"

The kids exchanged guilty looks before Lucas spoke up. "We had a plan. Operation Mom and Adam."

"With Thomas and Ethan," Alex added matter-of-factly. "They're on our team too."

"And Grandpa Joseph," Lily piped in. "He said you were perfect for each other ages ago."

Thomas, who'd been quietly bringing in Irene's things, suddenly became fascinated with his phone. "I have no idea what they're talking about," he muttered unconvincingly.

Irene looked from her children to Joseph, who didn't even try to hide his smug smile, to Thomas, who was failing spectacularly at appearing innocent.

"You've all been plotting behind our backs?" she asked, not sure whether to laugh or be mortified.

"Not plotting," Alex pushed his glasses up. "Strategic relationship facilitation."

Adam snorted. "Where'd you learn that phrase?"

"Thomas taught us," all three answered in unison.

Adam shot his assistant a look that promised future retribution. Thomas suddenly remembered urgent business in the car.

Brandon appeared at the top of the stairs, hair still mussed from sleep. "What's with all the noise— Irene!" He took the steps two at a time. "Jesus, what happened?"

As Adam gave Brandon a condensed version of events, the triplets huddled together, whispering excitedly.

"It worked," Lucas hissed. "All our plans worked!"

"Operation successful!" Alex agreed, adjusting his glasses importantly.

Lily twirled in a little victory dance. "We're gonna be a real family now!"

Wesley wandered in from the kitchen, coffee mug in hand. He took one look at Adam and Irene, raised an eyebrow, then simply said, "About time." Then, glancing at Irene's bandaged feet: "You okay?"

"I'll be fine." She smiled gratefully at his concern.

Brandon cleared his throat, looking uncharacteristically serious. "So, you two are..." He made a vague gesture between them.

"Yes," Adam said simply, no hesitation.

Brandon studied them both for a moment before a genuine smile broke across his face. "Well, damn. First smart decision you've made in years, Haven."

Joseph chuckled, settling into his favorite armchair. "I've been watching these two dance around each other for months. Painful to witness."

"We weren't that obvious," Irene protested.

Five voices immediately contradicted her: "Yes, you were."

Adam's hand found hers, warm and steady. "Apparently we're the last to know."

Before Irene could respond, the front door burst open, and Ethan rushed in, still in his school uniform.

"I came as soon as school let out," he panted. "James said you were hurt and—" He stopped short, taking in the scene, his eyes widening as they fell on Adam and Irene's joined hands.

"No. Way." A slow grin spread across his face. "The plan actually worked?"

"Et tu, Ethan?" Irene sighed dramatically.

Ethan high-fived each of the triplets in turn. "Team Awesome strikes again!"

"Team Awesome?" Adam echoed, looking increasingly amused.

"That's our code name," Lucas explained. "For the get-mom-and-Adam-together squad."

"We had weekly meetings," Lily informed them seriously. "And progress reports."

"Thomas took notes," Alex added.

Adam shook his head, fighting a smile. "I'm surrounded by conspirators."

Irene couldn't help laughing, the warmth of family surrounding her like a blanket. After everything that had happened, this moment of joy felt like a miracle.

"You should stay home for a few days," Adam said, eyeing her bandaged feet. "Those cuts need time to heal."

Irene started to protest but caught Joseph nodding in agreement. "Fine, a couple days. But then I need to get back to work."

"The research team can manage without you for a bit," Adam insisted. "Your health comes first."

At the Silver City Medical Research Center, Jennifer was the first to arrive, her mind preoccupied with the previous night's events.

She'd personally witnessed Irene being taken, had watched as they'd forced her into a car. Now she was particularly eager to see what had happened—whether Irene would show up for work at all.

As the morning dragged on with no sign of Irene, Jennifer's anticipation morphed into something uglier.

"Some people just think they're entitled to special treatment," she remarked loudly enough for others to hear. "Taking days off whenever they feel like it, forgetting their responsibilities as team leader. We have deadlines to meet—should everyone's work suffer because she can't be bothered to show up?"

Matthew, who had been quietly reviewing data nearby, looked up with a frown. "Irene called in. She's taking a few personal days."

"Oh, personal days," Jennifer repeated with mock understanding. "How convenient. And the research timeline? I suppose that waits for her too?"

"I'll cover her workload," Matthew said curtly. His tone silenced further complaints, though Jennifer's eyes narrowed at his quick defense.

She turned away, mind working furiously. Irene had clearly been taken against her will last night—but by whom? And why? The men had moved with professional precision, not like common thugs.

Jennifer pressed her lips together, suddenly realizing she was better off not involving herself in whatever had happened. If someone powerful enough to organize a professional kidnapping wanted Irene Sterling, asking questions would only put a target on her own back.

*Better to keep my head down and focus on my own goals,* she decided. *Whatever trouble Sterling's in, it's not my problem.*

Across town at Haven Mansion, the atmosphere couldn't have been more different from the warmth of Irene's home. Tension hung in the air like a storm about to break.

Adam had moved with lightning speed, calling an emergency shareholders' meeting that was traditionally held only at year's end for financial reviews.

Board members and key executives arrived with apprehension evident on their faces. Everyone could feel it—change was coming to Haven Enterprise.