Genius Kids‘ Scheme Claiming Daddy’s Billionaire Empre
Chapter 143
The sun was sinking behind Emerald Garden’s lawn when Alex, Luces, and Lily stumbled downstairs, hair still messy from their nap. They’d crashed harder than expected after the hot springs excitement.
“Starving, Larcas groaned, rubbing his eyes.
Alex glanted at the clock. “Mom said dinner at seven. We’ve got an hour.
Lily opened her mouth to suggest a snack when she froze mid–step. Her brothers bumped into her from behind.
What’s the big- Lucas started, then fell silent.
A teenager sat on their couch, staring into space like he’d lost his best friend. It took them a second to recognize him.
“Uncle Ethan!” Lucas and Lily squealed, racing toward him.
Alex hurried after them. “When’d you get here?”
Ethan tried to smile, but it didn’t stick. The kids slowed down when they got close enough to see his red–rimmed eyes and slumped shoulders.
They traded worried looks. They’d always thought Ethan was the coolest – he was smart, treated them like actual people, and knew all the best video games. Seeing him so down made their chests hurt.
Lily almost asked what was wrong but caught herself. She’d seen her mom need space when upset before.
After a silent three–way glance, Alex suddenly perked up. “Uncle Ethan, hang on! Gotta show you my new race car!*
Before Ethan could answer, Alex was already thundering upstairs.
“Got one too!” Lucas yelled, chasing after him. “Way cooler than his!”
Lily bounced on her toes. “Me too!” She spun around and darted after her brothers.
Minutes later, the living room floor became toy central. Lucas knelt beside Ethan, pushing a miniature sports car across the coffee table.
“Check this baby out!” Lucas beamed, showing how the tiny doors opened. *Uncle Brandon got it when he was stuck in that hospital bed. Sweet, right?”
Ethan’s fingers traced the car’s edges. “Pretty detailed,” he admitted, his voice scratchy but warming up.
Alex sprawled out, lining up his collection. “This red one’s the fastest, he declared with absolute certainty.
Soon, the coffee table transformed into a full–blown racetrack. The boys provided sound effects that got louder with each lap. Ethan found himself positioning cars at Lucas’s command while Alex narrated increasingly dramatic crashes and comebacks.
Lily created a winner’s podium from stacked books. “First place gets this,” she announced, holding up her favorite bear.
Twenty minutes in, Ethan was making engine noises that had the kids in stitches. His laugh – awkward at first, then real – filled the
room.
Between races, Alex looked up, suddenly serious. “You know there’s lots of good stuff in the world, right? Like playing together – that’s good.”
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Chapter 143
Lucas nodded hard. “Yeah! And we’re happy when we’re together!
Lily scooted closer, patting Ethan’s arm. And you’re with us now.”
Ethan looked at their eatest little faces and got it. These five–year Operation Cheer Up Unch. The simple kindness hit him right in the
“You three are something else, you know that?”
Lucas grinned. “Duh.”
ds had spotted his misery and immediately launched hest.
By seven, their racetrack had grown into a complex network of tunnels made from pillows and books. Ethan was on the floor with the kids, arguing over whether Alex’s red car had actually won, when they heard the front door open.
Their heads whipped around as Adam wheeled himself in without knocking his usual evening entrance.
–
Ethan sat up straighter, eyeing the newcomer. He looked from Adam to Irene, who’d just stepped out of the kitchen, taking in how comfortable Adam seemed walking in unannounced.
“Sis, than asked loud enough for everyone to hear, “is this your… boyfriend?”
The question dropped like a bomb. Adam stopped mid–wheel. Irene froze, dish towel in hand. Nobody breathed.
Irene’s face went pink. “No! God, no. Don’t be ridiculous.” She twisted the towel between her fingers. “This is Adam. He lives next door. We’re neighbors, and I’m his doctor. That’s it.”
Ethan’s eyes widened as he caught on. “Oh crap, sorry,” he stammered, scrambling up. “Just assumed since he came in without knocking – you know.”
“It’s fine,” Adam said smoothly, seemingly unbothered. He turned to Irene with a raised eyebrow. “This is…?”
“My brother, Ethan,” she explained, still fighting her blush.
Adam nodded, showing no surprise. “Hello,” he said, extending his hand.
When they shook, Ethan felt the firm grip and unmistakable authority radiating from Adam despite the wheelchair. This wasn’t just some guy – this was someone who ran things. Ethan found himself standing taller without meaning to.
While Irene and Adam headed to the kitchen, the triplets pounced. They pulled Ethan into a huddle by the wall.
“That was perfect!” Alex whispered, eyes dancing with excitement.
Lucas nodded eagerly. “Total win!”
Ethan frowned. “What are you talking about? I just embarrassed your mom and myself.”
The triplets traded looks, then leaned closer
“We’re trying to get Uncle Adam and Mom together,” Lily whispered, glancing over her shoulder.
He’s the best,” Lucas added. “We want him to be our dad.”
Ethan’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s not how it works, guys. Your mom has to actually like him.”
Alex rolled his eyes with pure five–year–old exasperation. “Uncle Ethan, love grows! Just look at them – they’re perfect together.
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Anyone can see it!
Despite himself, Ethan glanced toward the kitchen. Irene was gesturg about something while Adam watched, completely focused on her. There was an easy thytlen between them, a natural back and forth that felt deeper than just neighbors.
His mind drifted back to Mike and Jenny’s house, how quickly they’d sided with Anna against him. How twenty years of being their son had meant nothing when Sterling connections were on the lineet here was Irene, who’d taken him in without question the moment he needed her.
And now here he was, watching his sister with this guy in a wheelchair who treated her with more respect than Richard ever had. The businessman who’d dumped Irene when things got tough didn’t deserve a second thought. Adam had stuck around. That counted for something.
Maybe it was time to help build something good, instead of watching more things fall apart.
“Fine,” Ethan said under his breath. “I’m in. What’s the plan?”
“Just follow our lead,” Lucas whispered, his eyes sparkling. “When the time’s right, you’ll know what to do.”
Three dentical nods sealed the pact.
As dinner preparations continued in the kitchen, Ethan watched his sister move around Adam with practiced ease. She seemed lighter here, surrounded by these kids and this man, than he’d seen her in years. For the first time since storming out of the Claire house, the knot in his chest began to loosen.
Sometimes you don’t realize what family truly means until you find yourself in the place you actually belong.
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