Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 289

"Did you think this was over?" Adam asked, voice barely above a whisper. His eyes narrowed, the cold fury behind them reminding everyone why he ran Haven Enterprise.

The meeting room had emptied out except for the three of them. Victor stood frozen, empire crumbling around him while Adam sat at the table watching him squirm. George leaned on his cane, silent as the grave.

Victor's face twisted between fear and defiance. His hands shook as he tried gathering those useless papers.

"You haven't won," he managed, voice cracking. "This isn't the end."

Adam's mouth quirked up just slightly. "No, it isn't. Just the beginning."

George stepped closer and flipped through the blank contract pages Victor had been waving around. His face darkened as everything clicked into place. Without a word, he dropped the papers and walked away, disgust in every step.

Victor's shoulders sagged as he watched his father leave. The other family members had already scattered, nobody wanting to be anywhere near this showdown.

With whatever dignity he had left, Victor walked out, defeat weighing him down like concrete shoes.

That afternoon, cops showed up at Victor's front door. Their cruiser lights flashed without sound, turning the fancy neighborhood into a spectator sport. Curious neighbors couldn't help peeking through their curtains.

"What the hell is this?" Victor demanded, shock spreading across his face when he saw uniforms on his doorstep.

The officers didn't waste time with small talk. They moved in, reading rights while grabbing his arms.

"Get your hands off me!" Victor twisted against their grip, eyes bulging. "Do you know who I am? I'm Victor Haven! VP of Haven Enterprise!"

His wife appeared at the door, gasping in horror as Walter raced down the stairs behind her.

"In Silver City!" Victor's face turned an ugly shade of purple. "You dare arrest me? You want to lose your jobs?"

The lead officer didn't even blink. "Mr. Haven, we have evidence connecting you to a kidnapping conspiracy. You need to come with us."

Victor fought harder, spit flying as he yelled, "My nephew did this! Adam! This is family business!"

"We don't care about your family drama," the officer said, clicking the cuffs tighter. "Break the law, you face consequences. Doesn't matter who you are."

They dragged him toward the cruiser while his wife ran after them, begging them to stop. Walter just stood frozen on the steps, watching his dad get hauled away like a common criminal.

Thomas couldn't stand still in Adam's office. He kept checking his phone, occasionally glancing at Adam who was parked by the window watching the city below.

"They've got Victor downtown," Thomas said, swiping through messages. "But the case isn't airtight. He'll probably blame everything on his thugs."

Adam just nodded. "Doesn't matter. He got the memo." His voice was quiet but left no room for debate. "Nobody messes with Irene."

The door flew open as Marcus stormed in looking like he'd swallowed a lemon.

"What were you thinking?" he snapped, skipping hello. "Getting your uncle arrested? He's family, for crying out loud!"

Adam turned from the window, his face hardening. "Family doesn't kidnap family's—" He caught himself. "—doctor."

"You caused a massive headache," Marcus continued, pacing like a caged animal. "Cops at a Haven home! And all for an outsider! The whole country club won't shut up about it."

"An outsider?" Adam's voice went dangerously low. "Victor wanted to smash Irene's hands. You get what that means, right? Her career gone. Any chance of me walking—gone."

Marcus dragged a hand down his face. "We handle things in-house! Not with cops and handcuffs in front of the neighbors!"

"Some lines you don't cross, Dad." Adam didn't raise his voice, but it cut like a knife. "Victor jumped right over one. Should we give him a pass just because his last name's Haven?"

The question left Marcus without a comeback.

"Irene almost got hurt," Adam added, softer now. "I couldn't just let it slide."

Marcus let out a long breath, the fight leaving him as he looked at his son's unmovable expression. "Your grandfather's going to ask questions."

"I'll talk to him," Adam said simply.

Marcus studied his son for a moment, seeing something different in him now. Not just the businessman, but someone who'd drawn a line in the sand and dared anyone to step over it.

"You really care about her, don't you?"

Adam just held his father's gaze, saying nothing. He didn't need to.

Adam got back to Emerald Garden around eight. His talk with his grandfather went about as expected—tough questions with some grudging acceptance at the end. Old George might be stuck in his ways, but he knew right from wrong.

Irene was already waiting in his place, setting up her equipment when he rolled in.

"You're late," she said without looking up, but she didn't sound annoyed.

"Family stuff," Adam replied, wheeling closer.

Irene helped him onto the treatment table with a gentleness that felt different from before. As she placed the electrodes, Adam noticed how her fingers stayed against his skin a beat longer than necessary, how her eyes met his with something new in them.

They fell into a comfortable quiet, but it wasn't like their previous sessions. Something had shifted. When their eyes met, a soft pink touched her cheeks before she looked away.

"I heard about Victor getting arrested," she finally said, adjusting something on his leg. "Won't that cause trouble with your family? Is George mad at you?"

Adam's eyebrow went up. "How'd you hear about that?"

A small smile tugged at her lips. "Grandfather told me. Word gets around."

Adam caught her hand in his. "Don't worry about it. I've got things handled." His thumb brushed over her wrist. "Victor won't get anywhere near you again."

Irene frowned slightly. "He came after me to get to you. I don't want to be the reason you're fighting with your family."

Adam's hold tightened just a little, his eyes locked on hers. "Just what he did to you would've been enough. Nobody hurts you, Irene. Not on my watch."

His thumb traced the fading marks where ropes had dug into her skin. The gentle touch sent warmth spreading through her chest as she realized this supposedly cold man was building a wall around her and her kids that nothing could break through.

She looked at their hands together, her throat suddenly tight. "Thank you, Adam." Simple words that said so much more.

In answer, Adam pulled her closer and kissed her forehead softly. The tender moment melted something inside Irene that had been frozen for years.

Irene finally headed home, a chill following her through the door. The house was quiet with the kids long asleep. She expected darkness but noticed a light still on in the living room.

She found Joseph sitting alone, an old photo album spread across his lap.

"Grandfather?" She crossed to the sofa, worried. "Why aren't you in bed? Can't sleep?"

Joseph looked up, his face softening when he saw her. His smile carried something Irene couldn't quite name—warmth mixed with a hint of sadness just beneath the surface.

"Come sit with me, child," he said gently, patting the cushion beside him.

Irene sat down, wondering what kept him up when he was usually so strict about turning in on time.