Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 129: Uncle Adam Is Mom's. Period

Alex, Lucas, and Lily crowded the window like tiny spies, noses smudging the glass as they watched Adam's villa. Their heads swiveled in unison, tracking any movement that might signal the departure of their unwanted visitor.

"Think she's gone?" Lily whispered, hands cupped around her eyes to cut the glare.

Lucas huffed. "No way. She's been camping out in there forever."

"I don't like her," Alex said bluntly, wrinkling his nose. "She looked at Mom like she was gum stuck to her fancy shoe."

They quieted down, shoulders hunched as they kept their vigil. The peaceful morning routine they'd grown to love had been disrupted by this stranger in cream-colored designer clothes.

Alex suddenly slapped his palm against the windowsill. "No way," he hissed, voice tight with determination. "Uncle Adam is Mom's. Period."

"Exactly." Lucas nodded so hard his hair flopped over his eyes. He pushed it back impatiently. "We need a battle plan. They can't be alone together."

Lily bounced on her toes, face brightening. "Let's just go over there!" She tugged on her brothers' sleeves. "Uncle Adam's crazy about us. He'd totally let us in."

"Good thinking." Lucas grinned. "We could say we need math help or something."

"Or this." Lily's bottom lip quivered dramatically, eyes going wide and sad. She batted her lashes for good measure. "Works every time."

Alex's fingers drummed against the windowsill. "I could say my computer's acting weird. He always helps with tech stuff."

"What are you three plotting now?"

The triplets jumped in unison, turning guiltily to find their mother standing in the doorway, arms crossed and eyebrow raised. Irene had clearly caught the tail end of their conversation and wasn't impressed.

"Nothing!" they chorused, the picture of unconvincing innocence.

"I heard Lily," Irene said, stepping into the room. "You are absolutely not going over there to bother Adam while he's having a business meeting."

"But Mom—" Lily started, her rehearsed sad face already deployed.

"No buts," Irene cut her off firmly. "Those are adult matters that don't concern you. And if any of you steps foot outside this house to interfere, you can forget about dinner tonight."

The triplets exchanged defeated glances, their shoulders slumping in perfect synchronization. The threat of missing a meal was serious business.

"Fine," Alex mumbled, stepping away from the window.

"We'll be good," Lucas added with a sigh.

Lily just pouted, but didn't argue further.

Irene nodded, satisfied they'd gotten the message. "Good. Now find something productive to do instead of spying on the neighbors."

She turned to leave but paused at the doorway, her expression softening slightly. "Lunch will be ready in an hour. Why don't you three read those new books we got?"

As soon as their mother's footsteps faded down the hallway, the triplets huddled together.

"We'll just have to wait," Alex whispered. "Operation Get-Rid-Of-The-Lady is on hold."

"For now," Lucas added with a determined nod.

When lunchtime rolled around, the triplets perked up at the familiar sound of Thomas helping Adam into the villa. Right on schedule, as always. Some things, at least, remained predictable.

"Uncle Adam!" Lily exclaimed, practically skipping to greet him. Her earlier disappointment forgotten in the joy of seeing him again.

Alex watched Adam carefully, then glanced out the window as if checking for additional guests. "Where's that lady?" he asked, trying to sound casual and failing miserably.

"Gone," Thomas replied before Adam could, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. He clearly had no desire to discuss Samantha any further.

Lucas reached for the bread basket, but his mind was clearly elsewhere. "That lady was really pretty," he remarked, eyeing Adam. "And she looked fancy. Like she comes from a good family."

Lily picked up the thread immediately. "Yeah, she seemed important. Don't you think so, Uncle Adam?"

Alex leaned forward, his voice deliberately innocent. "Doesn't Uncle Adam think she's even a little bit special?"

The triplets stared at Adam with identical expressions of barely disguised concern, waiting breathlessly for his answer.

Irene, serving the food, paused just long enough to indicate she too was curious about Adam's response, though she tried to appear uninvested in the conversation.

Thomas focused intently on buttering his bread, his face neutral, though the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Adam looked at the three earnest faces and couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. These kids never ceased to amaze him with their grown-up questions wrapped in childish directness.

"You three are asking if I'm interested in Ms. Wright?" he clarified, amusement dancing in his eyes. "How old are you again? Do you even know what it means to be interested in someone?"

Irene bit back a smile, curious to hear how they'd respond.

The triplets nodded vigorously in perfect unison.

"Of course we do," Alex replied seriously. "It means you want to be with someone forever. Like, till you're both old with white hair."

"And you want to be with them all the time," Lucas added.

"Do you feel that way about that lady?" Lily asked, her eyes wide and fixed on Adam's face.

Adam didn't hesitate. "No."

The simple, direct answer popped the tension bubble surrounding the triplets. Their shoulders dropped in unison as they traded quick looks that screamed relief.

*Mom still has a chance!* their expressions practically shouted, though they kept those thoughts locked safely away.

Irene noticed and ducked her head, pretending to focus on the food while hiding her warming cheeks. These little matchmakers would be the death of her.

"Not that it's any of your business," she said, voice wobbling between stern and amused. "Eat your lunch before it gets cold."

As she passed Adam his plate, their fingers brushed. Just the slightest touch—completely accidental—but enough to make Irene nearly fumble the dish. Adam's eyes met hers for a split second, something unreadable flickering in their depths before he looked away, lips curved in the ghost of a smile.

The meal continued with the triplets chattering away, now visibly lighter without the Samantha-shaped cloud hanging over their heads. Adam joined their conversation easily, making Lily giggle with his deadpan humor and drawing thoughtful nods from Alex when he explained a complex math concept in child-friendly terms.

Irene passed Adam the salt before he even asked for it, her movements perfectly in sync with his needs. When he complimented her cooking, she waved it off with practiced nonchalance, but couldn't quite hide the pleased smile that tugged at her lips.

After lunch, Thomas helped Adam back to his villa while Irene herded the triplets to their room for some reading time before their afternoon nap. By the time she'd settled them with books, her own eyelids were feeling heavy. A short rest sounded perfect.

"Half an hour of reading, then lights out," she instructed, suppressing a yawn. "I'll be in my room if you need anything."

"Yes, Mom," they chorused, already engrossed in their books.

She was halfway up the stairs to her bedroom when the doorbell rang.

*Who could that be?* she wondered, checking her watch with a frown. Nobody ever visited at this hour.

Making her way back down, she opened the door and froze in surprise.

Ethan stood on her doorstep, a wheeled suitcase beside him. The teenager looked up at her, and for just a moment, Irene caught a flash of something raw and hurt in his eyes before he blinked it away.

*Something's wrong,* she thought immediately, her heart clenching at the sight of her usually confident little brother looking so lost.