Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 43

Irene clicked send, watching the message pop up on her screen. *Time to make lunch*, she thought, heading to the kitchen and pulling open the fridge.

Just then, the triplets burst in with their great-grandfather. "Mom! We're home!"

Their excited voices filled the house instantly. Joseph's booming laughter followed - definitely not sounding like someone who'd just had a fall.

Lily and Lucas were all over their great-grandfather in seconds, fussing about getting him water and finding the TV remote. Meanwhile, Alex, being Alex, came straight to the kitchen and started washing his hands. "Need any help, Mom?"

*Always the responsible one*, Irene thought fondly. Being eight minutes older than his siblings had somehow turned him into such a little grown-up.

"Actually, honey, could you do me a huge favor? Maybe go next door and see if Mr. Haven wants to join us for lunch?" Irene suggested with a smile. After all, if Adam hadn't stepped in this morning, getting Grandpa home wouldn't have been nearly this easy.

Alex's whole face lit up. "On it!"

*Perfect!* he thought excitedly.  *Finally, a chance to spend more time with Daddy!*

Alex practically bounced over to the neighboring house and hit the doorbell.

Adam's butler opened the door, and Alex put on his best grown-up voice. "Hi, Mr. Butler! Is Uncle Adam home? Mom's inviting him over for lunch."

The butler couldn't help smiling at the adorable little gentleman. "Let me check with him, young sir." He left the door open while he went to find Adam.

A few minutes later, Thomas came out pushing Adam's wheelchair.

"Uncle Adam!" Alex beamed. "Mom's making lunch and wants to know if you'll join us? You know, as a thank you and stuff?"

"I'll be there shortly," Adam replied, his usual cool voice somehow softer when talking to the boy.

Thomas was practically grinning behind them - he'd been dying for another taste of Irene's cooking since last time. Talk about getting lucky!

The butler watched from the doorway, mentally preparing to console their chef about yet another meal being skipped.

Soon, they arrived next door. Joseph got up to greet them. "Mr. Haven." His eyes held a hint of curiosity - here was the business prodigy who'd taken Haven Enterprise to new heights before fate dealt its cruel hand.

"Mr. Sterling," Adam nodded back, his expression unreadable.

With Irene still in the kitchen, Joseph played host. "Mr. Haven, I can't thank you enough - both for this morning and for looking after my granddaughter and the kids all this time."

"No need for thanks," Adam replied coolly. "Dr. Sterling and I simply have a business arrangement."

Joseph's eyebrows shot up. "Oh?"

"Great-grandpa, Mom got this place 'cause she's treating Uncle Adam!" Alex chimed in helpfully.

Joseph's face broke into a knowing smile. "Well, business or not, having you as our neighbor feels like fate."

"It's totally destiny!" Lucas piped up, bouncing in his seat.

Lily, never one to hold back, marched right up to Adam's wheelchair. "Uncle Adam, you don't have to be all formal and stuff. We really *like* you!"

That actually got a smile out of Adam - a rare sight indeed.

"Alright, everyone wash up - lunch is ready!" Irene called out, shooing the kids toward the bathroom.

She came out carrying two different soups, each one specially made. "This one's for you, Adam. I tweaked the recipe to help with your recovery - hopefully it tastes okay?" she explained, setting his bowl down.

Adam took a careful sip, his eyes widening slightly. "It's good."

Turning to Joseph, she placed his bowl next. "And this is yours, Grandpa. Light but nourishing - now that you're here, I'm going to spoil you properly."

"Oh sure, until you get sick of this old man!" Joseph teased.

"As if!" Irene laughed, swatting his shoulder playfully.

Joseph took a spoonful and his face lit up. "Now this - this is what real soup should taste like! Not that greasy stuff they've been feeding me!"

The triplets came racing back, scrambling into their seats. Soon the dining room was filled with chatter and laughter.

Adam ate quietly, but his eyes kept drifting around the table, taking everything in. For a moment, something almost wistful crossed his face. When was the last time his own home had felt this alive?

"Uncle Adam!" Lily's voice pulled him back. She was wobbling dangerously, trying to deliver a piece of chicken to his plate with her fork.

He quickly moved his bowl to catch it before it fell, smiling gently. "Thank you. But you should eat too."

Not to be outdone, Alex and Lucas started adding to his plate too.

Joseph couldn't help chuckling, "Looks like you've got quite the fan club here, Mr. Haven!"

Adam stared at his now-full plate, something warm flickering in his usually cold eyes.

"Hey, don't forget Mom and Great-grandpa!" Alex suddenly announced, starting to serve them too.

His siblings immediately joined in the food distribution. Poor Thomas sat forgotten - but he was too busy enjoying his meal to care.

After lunch, Alex helped clear the table like the little gentleman he was. "I should head back - work calls," Adam said, his voice returning to its usual business-like tone. "Thank you for lunch."

"Take care," Joseph nodded warmly.

Irene wiped her hands on a dish towel as she came out of the kitchen. "Grandpa, let me check that back of yours."

"Sure thing, sweetheart." Joseph used his knees for support as he made his way to the bedroom.

Irene's expert hands worked their magic during the massage. All those years of surgical training meant she knew exactly how to ease the tension without causing pain.

"How's that feeling?" she asked, putting away her supplies.

"Much better - barely hurts at all now," Joseph admitted with a satisfied sigh.

"Perfect. How about a nap? It's been quite a morning."

Before Joseph could answer, three little whirlwinds burst into the room: "We wanna nap with Great-grandpa!"

"Oh no you don't!" Irene put her hands on her hips, trying to look stern. "Alex maybe, but you two? You're like tiny tornadoes in bed! We can't risk hurting Great-grandpa."

"Pleeeease?" Lily and Lucas dragged out the word, unleashing their best puppy dog eyes as they crowded around Joseph.

Joseph wrapped them all in a big hug: "Oh, let them stay. What's a few kicks between family?"

Irene threw up her hands in defeat: "You're impossible - all of you!"

"Yes!" The kids darted off to change, returning moments later in matching dinosaur pajamas that had Joseph melting all over again.

Once they were all sound asleep, Irene tucked them in and quietly slipped out. She'd just settled on the couch with her medical journal when her phone buzzed - James calling.

"James, what is it?"

"Miss Sterling..." James sounded worried. "I was planning to deliver the master's belongings this afternoon, but Mrs. Sterling insisted on bringing them herself."

Irene's stomach tightened. Everyone in the Sterling household knew how tense things were between her and Rose.

"And there's more - Ethan Claire showed up wanting to see you. Your mother offered to bring him along. They left about ten minutes ago, heading your way," James added.

Irene frowned. Why would Ethan suddenly show up? And Rose... her birth mother never did anything without an agenda.

"Alright, thanks for letting me know, James."

After hanging up, she glanced at her sleeping family and headed for the estate entrance. Better to handle whatever Rose was planning away from them.

*This is definitely not just a delivery*, Irene thought grimly. *With Rose Sterling, nothing's ever simple.*