Genius Kids‘ Scheme: Claiming Daddy’s Billionaire Empire
Chapter 118
Irene pulled the phone from he ear, Jenny’s accusations still ringing in her head. Her fingers tightened around the device as she tried to process what she’d just heard. Anna in the hospital, stomach being pumped, and somehow it was all her fault?
Joseph pressed his thin lips together, his knuckles white around his ane. “I’m calling in some favors. We’ll find out where they took her.”
While Joseph stepped away to make his calls, Irene stood frozen in place. The irony wasn’t lost on her–Anna had always played victim, but an actual suicide attempt? That was taking things to a whole new level, even for her.
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Joseph shuffled back into the kitchen minutes later, his face grim. “Silver City Private,” he announced. “Emergency wing.”
“So she really did it,” Irene murmured, more to herself than to Joseph.
His cane struck the floor with a sharp crack, making her jump. “This Richard Vein,” he growled, “what exactly is his game?”
Irene thought back to her last encounter with Richard and the slimy way he’d looked at her, like she was suddenly worth reconsidering now that she had the Sterling name. The memory still made her skin crawl.
“Not sure, she admitted. “But given his reaction when he realized I was back, I’m guessing it has something to do with bloodlines.” She twisted a loose strand of hair around her finger. “People like the Veins care about that stuff more than actual character.”
Stop. Joseph’s voice softened as he reached for her arm. “Don’t let Jenny’s garbage get in your head, child. Not for a second.”
Irene managed a weak smile. “I know, Grandfather. Jenny said they’re pumping Anna’s stomach. They don’t know if she’ll make it.”
Joseph’s face hardened instantly. “Serves her right! That girl’s been taking what’s not hers for twenty years. It’s about time the universe handed her the bill.” He’d witnessed every time John and Rose had chosen Anna over their biological daughter, every subtle cruelty Anna had inflicted while maintaining her innocent facade.
The venom in his voice surprised her. Joseph usually kept his feelings about Anna carefully hidden behind a mask of dignified tolerance. Seeing his raw anger–on her behalf–made her throat tighten unexpectedly.
Irene squeezed his shoulder gently. “Come on, it’s not worth getting worked up over.”
Joseph shrugged off her hand. “The hell it isn’t. I’m coming with you to that hospital. No way I’m letting them pin this on you.” He raised his voice, calling for the butler. “James! Get the car ready!”
Something warm unfurled in Irene’s chest as she watched her grandfather mobilize in her defense. After years of fighting battles alone, having someone solidly in her corner felt strangely foreign.
“The kids,” she said suddenly, glancing toward the stairs. “We can’t bring them into this mess.”
Joseph nodded. “Where will you leave them?”
Irene hesitated only a second before the answer came to her. There was just one place nearby where her children would be both safe and comfortable, especially at this hour.
Ten minutes later, she stood at Adam’s front door with three sleepy–eyed triplets. The moment Thomas opened the door, Adam appeared behind his furiosity written across his face.
“Hey,” Irene said, cutting straight to the point. “Something’s come up and Grandfather and I need to head to the hospital. Any chance you could watch these monsters for a bit?”
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Adam’s eyebrows shot up. “Everything okay? Need backup?”
His immediate offer to help caught her off guard, sending an unexpected flutter through her chest. “Thanks, but I’ve got it covered.” She smiled, oddly touched. “But I would appreciate the childcare assist.”
“No problem,” Adam replied without hesitation. “We’ll hold down the fort.”
Irene knelt to kiss each child goodbye. “Be good,” she warned them. Mom won’t be long.”
The triplets nodded solemnly, all wide–eyed innocence as Irene headed back to the waiting car.
The moment the door clicked shut, their angelic expressions vanished like magic.
Lucas crept closer to Adam. “Uncle Adam? Can we maybe go to the hospital too?”
Adam stared at him. “Your mom literally just asked me to keep you here. Why would you want to go?”
“We’re worried about her,” Alex said, his voice uncharacteristically wobbly.
Lily grabbed Adam’s wheelchair armrest, tears already gathering in her big eyes. “We heard everything! Some mean lady was screaming at Mom on the phone!”
Adam’s frown deepened. “What exactly did you hear?”
Lily’s lower lip quivered dramatically. “That lady said if Anna dies, she’d tell everyone Mom did it! But Mom didn’t do anything
wrong!”
“They always blame her for everything,” Alex added quietly, scuffing his foot against the floor.
Adam felt something in his chest tighten as he looked at their worried faces. These kids shouldn’t be carrying adult burdens. They were five, for God’s sake.
“Uncle Adam,” Lucas pleaded, his eyes huge. “What if those mean people gang up on Mom at the hospital? She needs backup.”
The word “backup” hit Adam squarely–exactly what he’d offered Irene minutes ago, and what she’d declined. But maybe she didn’t know what she was walking into.
“Mom always protects us,” Alex said, chin trembling slightly. “Who’s going to protect her?”
Adam looked from one anxious face to another, feeling his resolve crumble. “Okay,” he finally said. “But you stay with me the entire time. No wandering off, got it?”
The triplets nodded eagerly, relief washing over their faces.
“Thomas,” Adam called, “car keys.”
“On it,” Thomas replied, already heading for the door.
Minutes later, with the triplets buckled in and Adam secured in the car, they pulled away from Emerald Garden Estate. In the back seat, hidden from adult eyes, Alex and Lucas bumped fists silently while Lily’s mouth curved into a tiny, satisfied smile.
Phase one: complete. Mom might be annoyed at first, but she’d than them later when she realized how much Uncle Adam cared. After all, any decent romance needed a rescue scene–they’d seen enough movies to know that much.
They settled back, feigning concern while secretly buzzing with triumph. Getting adults to do what you wanted was actually pretty
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easy once you figured out which buttons to push.
Uncle Adam rushing to Mom’s rescue–it was the perfect setup. Now they just needed to make sure it played out right.
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