Genius Kids‘ Scheme: Claiming Daddy’s Billionaire Empire
Chapter 117
Dinner was wrapping up, with just a few stray veggies left on plates. Irene had started clearing the table when Adam checked his
watch.
“I should head back,” he said, turning his wheelchair toward Joseph. “Got work to finish before
Joseph waved him off. “Go on, don’t let us keep you.”
tomorrow’s meeting.”
Adam hesitated for a beat–something that would’ve seemed impossible weeks ago. These family meals had somehow shifted from obligation to something he actually looked forward to.
Thomas materialized in the doorway with his usual perfect timing.
“All good here?” he asked, scanning the room.
“All set,” Adam replied. “Need to review those files tonight.”
The triplets shot up from their seats like rockets, racing to say goodbye. Lily attempted a wobbly curtsy while her brothers tried out awkward formal bows they’d clearly been practicing in secret.
“Bye, Uncle Adam!” they chorused, fighting off yawns.
As Thomas wheeled Adam out, Joseph’s gaze tracked them before landing back on Irene. She moved around the table stacking plates, totally oblivious to his watchful eyes.
“Don’t see Adam’s mom dressed up like that very often,” Joseph commented once they were alone. “Must’ve been something big.”
Irene’s hands paused mid–wipe, surprise flashing across her face.
“You caught that, huh?” She resumed cleaning, shaking her head with a small smile. “Nothing gets past you.”
Joseph’s eyes crinkled. “Old doesn’t mean blind. The brain still works just fine.” He tapped his temple, looking smug.
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“Apparently she was heading to some birthday party. For that woman Adam was almost engaged to once.”
The triplets had migrated to the living room but were clearly eavesdropping, their heads tilted toward the kitchen conversation.
“Uncle Adam’s mom wanted him to go to a party?” Lucas called out, abandoning any pretense of watching TV.
“Sounds like it,” Irene shrugged, uncomfortable with gossiping–especially with little ears listening in. “I overheard them mention it before.”
She turned back to the dishes, effectively ending that topic. Some things weren’t meant for family discussion, especially when those people had been nothing but kind to them.
The triplets exchanged loaded glances, their faces suddenly dead serious. Without a word, they slipped away to their bedroom, moving in that weird synchronized way that sometimes freaked out babysitters.
Once their door clied shut, Alex faced his siblings, all business despite being in dinosaur pajamas.
“We need to work harder to get Mom and Dad together,‘ he declared
Lucas nodded so fast he nearly toppled over. “Yeah! If we don’t hurry up, Dad might end up with some other lady!”
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Lily’s bottom lip jutted out. “But how? We tried leaving them alone for dinner and Mom just read a stupid book!”
The boys went quiet, brows scrunched up in concentration. For all their smarts, adult relationships remained a total mystery.
“Maybe,” Lucas suggested after a while, “we could break another window?”
Back in the kitchen, Irene’s phone buzzed. She glanced down and immediately frowned at the name: Jenny.
Her former foster mother hadn’t called since Irene moved into Emerald Garden–the woman who’d raised her for twenty years but turned her away when she needed help most.
Her thumb hovered over ‘decline‘ before curiosity won out.
“Yes?” she answered coolly.
“You!” Jenny’s voice came through as a broken shriek, half sobbing, half screaming. “This is all your fault! How could you break up Anna’s engagement? After everything we did for you!”
A bitter smile touched Irene’s lips as the absurdity of the accusation sank in. Break up Anna’s engagement to Richard? If anything, she’d gladly see those two shallow, selfish people tied together forever.
“What are you talking about?” Irene asked, moving toward the window to avoid Joseph’s concerned look.
“Don’t play dumb!” Jenny’s voice cracked between heaving sobs. “Anna’s in the hospital! She tried to kill herself after Richard dumped her! They’re pumping her stomach right now–doctors don’t know if she’ll make it!”
Irene gripped the counter as her knees went weak. The kitchen seemed to tilt sideways.
“When?” she managed, her voice barely audible.
“This afternoon–they found her passed out in her bathroom!” Jenny’s raw emotion poured through the phone. “I knew you were cold, but I never thought you’d push your own sister to suicide!”
Irene’s mind raced to catch up. Anna had actually done it–had crossed a line Irene never thought she would. Despite everything between them, the news left her feeling hollow.
“I had nothing to do with this,” she said quietly. “I haven’t tried to break them up.”
“Liar!” Jenny spat. “If Anna dies, I’ll make sure everyone knows what you did!”
The line went dead. Irene stood frozen, phone still pressed to her ear
Joseph watched her carefully from his seat. “Everything alright?”
“Just Jenny being Jenny,” Irene replied, trying to sound dismissive. But her mind was spinning with unwanted thoughts.
“Anna’s in the hospital,” she finally admitted, her voice barely audible. “She… tried to kill herself after Richard ended things. And somehow I’m getting blamed.”
Joseph’s expression darkened. “Not surprising. You’ve always been their favorite scapegoat.”
She drifted to the doorway, catching sight of her children through their partially open bedroom door. Three small heads bent together in what looked like a serious strategy session.
Reality hit her like ice water. If this turned into a scandal–which it absolutely would if Anna died–the media would have a field
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day. Right now, few people knew she was a Sterling; she’d deliberately kept a low profile since returning. But a scandal this big would put a spotlight on everyone involved.
It wouldn’t take long for reporters to connect the dots. The mysterious doctor living in Emerald Garden. Her sudden appearance in Joseph’s life. The triplets with no father in the picture. If her connection to the Sterling family became public knowledge, her carefully constructed privacy would shatter overnight.
And her children would pay the price. Kids at their new school would whisper about their mom driving someone to suicide. They d face stares, questions, and cruel gossip about drama they couldn’t possibly understand.
Her hand clenched at her side as her mama–bear instincts kicked into overdrive. These kids had been through enough already. They deserved peace, not this mess.
“I need to find out which hospital she’s at,” Irene said, already reaching for her phone.
Joseph nodded, instantly onboard. “I’ll make some calls.”
Irene had spent five years building a safe world for her triplets. She wasn’t about to let anyone–not Jenny, not Anna, not Richard- tear it down now.
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