Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 98: Responsible for Dishes

Before Irene could speak, Alex stepped forward, chin raised. "Uncle Adam, I did it," he announced, positioning himself protectively in front of his mother.

"No way, it was me!" Lucas contradicted, bouncing toward Adam with the energy of a human rubber ball.

"Lily kicked too!" The little girl refused to be left out, rushing to join the confession party.

Thomas watched from behind Adam's wheelchair, failing miserably at hiding his amusement.

"Huh." Thomas tilted his head. "Most kids I know would be pointing fingers right now." He gestured at the triplets. "These three are practically fighting for the chance to get in trouble."

Lily's eyes widened, her little face suddenly serious. "That's because Mommy did something wrong, and we have to admit it. We can't let Mommy look bad!"

The bubble of protective lies burst instantly. Thomas's smile froze as his gaze bounced from the children to Irene, who looked like she'd just been caught shoplifting on camera.

Adam's eyes found Irene's, amusement dancing in their gray depths. "Wait—*you* broke my window?"

Irene felt her face heat to nuclear levels. She opened her mouth, closed it, then tried again, resembling a particularly fashionable goldfish.

"That was... I mean..." She finally gave up and sighed. "Yeah. My bad."

Thomas snorted before clapping a hand over his mouth. "Dr. Sterling with the soccer skills. Who knew?"

"Getting your kids to cover for you?" Adam's lips twitched. "And here I thought you were the responsible adult in the neighborhood."

His lack of anger somehow made it worse. Irene's embarrassment crystallized into indignation, her spine straightening.

"I was about to own up to it," she replied, chin lifting. "Just send me the bill when you know the damage." She turned sharply, tossing over her shoulder, "You'll have your money by tonight."

She marched back toward her villa with all the dignity she could scrape together, feeling the heat of her blush practically radiating off her face.

Lily watched her mother's retreat, bottom lip quivering. "I didn't mean to tell," she whispered.

"Yes, you did!" Alex and Lucas chorused, exchanging the long-suffering look of brothers with a sister who couldn't keep secrets.

Dismissing her brothers with a princess-worthy eye roll, Lily darted back for the soccer ball, then presented it to Adam with hopeful eyes.

"Uncle Adam, wanna play ball with us?" She bounced on her toes. "We'll be super careful this time!"

Lucas jumped in, seeing opportunity. "Yeah! Mom always says sitting all day is bad for you. We need to move around!" He patted his small stomach importantly. "It's called lay-bore and relax-ation together."

"He means work-life balance," Alex corrected with the weary patience of an old professor. "Physical activity promotes optimal health."

All three children gazed up at Adam with identical hopeful expressions, unwilling to waste this perfect chance to spend time with their "uncle" (who was actually their father - a secret they knew and carefully guarded from the adults).

Adam studied their eager faces, then nodded. "Lucas makes a good point. Let's do some... what was it? Lay-bore and relax-ation."

Their cheers echoed across the lawn as Thomas watched, wondering when exactly his intimidating boss had become so easily swayed by a trio of five-year-olds.

Irene slammed her front door and leaned against it, as if physical barriers could keep her embarrassment outside.

"Well, well," Joseph's amused voice floated from his armchair. "Breaking windows and running away? Not very Sterling-like behavior."

Irene's head snapped up. "You *saw* that?" Horror crawled across her face. "Grandfather, seriously?" She caught herself mid-foot-stomp. *Great, now I'm acting like a teenager.*

Joseph's laugh lines deepened. "Quite the kick. Your technique needs work, though. All power, no finesse."

"I was trying to show off for the kids," Irene groaned, dropping onto the sofa. "Instead I looked like an idiot in front of Adam."

"Heaven forbid we look foolish in front of the neighbors," Joseph replied mildly, eyes twinkling.

Something in his tone made Irene narrow her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He lifted his shoulders in an innocent shrug. "Just making conversation."

Irene wasn't buying it, but pursuing the topic felt like stepping into quicksand. She retreated to the kitchen instead, hoping the familiar routine of cooking might cool her burning cheeks.

A couple of hours later, Irene had just slid the last dish onto the table when the doorbell rang. She stiffened, already knowing who it would be before James opened the door to reveal Adam flanked by the triplets.

"Mom! We invited Uncle Adam and Thomas for lunch!" Lucas announced, bouncing on his heels.

Irene smoothed her expression into neutral territory before emerging from the kitchen.

"Join us," she said, gesturing to the table she'd set with extra places out of habit. The triplets always ate like they were fueling for hibernation.

As they settled around the table, Irene glanced at Adam. "So what's the damage for the window? I can send payment after lunch."

Adam paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. "Don't know yet. Repairman hasn't been by." His lips quirked. "But what's one broken window between neighbors? Unless you're really feeling guilty—then maybe add it to our meal tab."

"Meal tab?" Irene's eyebrows drew together.

Thomas glanced up, watching his boss with sudden interest.

"My chef had to leave town," Adam explained, cutting into his food. "Family emergency. He'll be gone a while."

Irene's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "What convenient timing."

"It's absolutely true," Thomas jumped in, voice rising half an octave. "His son got injured back home. Nobody else to look after him."

Despite the slight twinge of conscience about the white lie, Thomas couldn't help but stare longingly at his plate. Dr. Sterling's cooking blew their recent meals out of the water.

"Dr. Sterling," Thomas ventured, schooling his features into his most earnest expression, "would it be possible... I mean, if it's not imposing... could I possibly join these meals too?" He gestured at his already half-empty plate. "This is seriously the best food I've had in months."

Irene hesitated. Daily cooking for two extra mouths wasn't exactly in her plan. Still, they'd all grown comfortable with each other, and it was just one more plate.

"Fine," she finally conceded. "But you're on dish duty."

"Hooray! Mom is the best!" The triplets cheered, seemingly more excited than either of the actual beneficiaries. Their little minds raced with the possibilities—more opportunities to bring their parents together! This was perfect for their secret plan.

They'd noticed their mom was constantly busy lately, racing between hospital and home with barely enough time for their usual family rituals. Getting Adam to visit regularly was the perfect solution.

"Uncle Adam, try this!" Lily urged, carefully transferring a piece of meat to his plate. "Mom's mini steaks are the yummiest things ever!"

"You need some of this too," Alex added, spooning vegetables onto Adam's plate with scientific precision.

Lucas piled on more food. "These carrots are amazing. Sweet but not too sweet!"

"Look! Lily found you a heart-shaped carrot!" the little girl announced proudly, pointing at her special selection.

Irene watched the children's fawning with a strange twist in her stomach. Her fork hovered midair as something suspiciously like jealousy prickled under her skin. *I carried these kids for nine months, and now they're practically falling over themselves for Adam Haven.*

The triplets had never shown such enthusiasm setting the table for her or Joseph. She stabbed her food with slightly more force than necessary. This was ridiculous. They were just being friendly. It didn't mean anything.

Still, watching her children orbit Adam like tiny planets around a sun made her feel weirdly sidelined in her own home.

As evening settled over Silver City, the Haven family mansion welcomed a special guest.