Genius Kids‘ Scheme: Claiming Daddy’s Billionaire Empre
Chapter 149
The afternoon sun stretched at ss Emerald Garden’s perfect lawnS stepped out when the front door flew open and three small figures
Irene’s car pulled into the driveway. She and Ethan had barely me racing toward them.
Uncle Ethan!” the triplets shouted together, their feet pounding across the grass.
Alex reached them first, skidding to a stop. “Did you win? Did Mom ck butt?”
Lucas bounced on his toes, practically vibrating with excitement. “D they say sorry?
Lily hung back, her forehead creased with worry as she studied Etha’s face. “Are you okay, Uncle Ethan? Did those mean kids stop being jerks?”
Ethan’s shoulders finally relaxed. A smile spread across his face as he knelt down to Lily’s level. I’m all good now. Your mom fixed everything in about ten minutes flat.” He gently ruffled her hair. “Like it never happened.”
The triplets traded triumphant looks.
“Told you!” Alex pumped his fist.
“Mom’s basically invincible,” Lucas added, like he was stating an
“We knew you’d make it all better,” Lily beamed up at Irene.
obvibus fact.
Ethan straightened up, nodding. “She really is something else. Walked in there and had everyone sorted before they knew what hit
them.”
Irene shook her head, though a smile tugged at her lips. “You three are such sweet–talkers. I just did what family would do.” She didn’t think it was anything special–just something that needed handling. There were plenty of things even she couldn’t fix, but this one had been simple enough.
“Who’s hungry?” she asked, herding everyone inside. “I think we deserve a little celebration.”
The afternoon sun gave way to evening as Irene pulled into Silver City Mall’s parking lot. The massive shopping center glowed against the darkening sky, windows filled with luxury displays.
Ethan stepped through the entrance and immediately felt out of place. He’d never been anywhere this fancy before–not as a customer, anyway.
People around them moved with easy confidence, designer bags swinging from their wrists, chatting and laughing under the soft lighting. Ethan hunched his shoulders slightly, trying to make himself smaller, less visible.
The triplets darted from window to window, pointing excitedly at anything that caught their eye, Ethan hung back, careful not to look too long at any display. The price tags alone made his stomach knot up.
Irene stopped in front of a high–end boutique, eyeing a white and blue striped button–down in the window. She glanced from the shirt to Ethan, head tilted slightly.
“What do you think of this one?” she asked, turning to him. Before he could answer, she waved to a nearby sales associate. “Could we see that shirt, please? The blue striped one.”
Ethan’s eyes widened. “No, really, I’m fine,” he said quickly, backing up a step. “You don’t need to-”
“Just to look,” Irene insisted, accepting the shirt from the smiling associate.
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Ethan knew exactly how much clothes from this store cost. He walked past it dozens of times, peeking at window displays but never daring to enter. One shit probably cost more than his entire wardrobe.
Alex tugged at his sleeve. “Are you gonna try it, Uncle Ethan?”
It looks really nice, Lily added hopefully.
Ethan stared down at his scuffed white sneakers, suddenly aware of how they stood out against the spotless floor. Everything in this place seemed to highlight how he didn’t belong–how he’d never belong.
The triplets exchanged confused glances, not understanding why Etan looked so miserable on what was supposed to be a fun shopping trip.
Irene noticed immediately. She handed the shirt back to the associa with a quick smile. “We’ll be right back. Thank you.”
She led Ethan a few steps away, then turned to the triplets. “Stay right here, okay? I need to talk to Uncle Ethan for a minute. Sit on that bench and don’t move.”
Once the kids were settled, she guided Ethan toward a quiet corner near the elevators.
“You think you don’t deserve these things, don’t you?” she asked directly, her voice gentle but firm.
Ethan’s head snapped up, caught off guard by her bluntness. “I—” he started, then stopped, not knowing what to say.
Irene’s expression softened. “Ethan, I get it. Whatever else I think about Mike and Jenny, they took care of your basic needs. You’ve always had clothes, food, a roof over your head.” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “But there’s a difference between having what you need and having what makes you feel confident.”
She nodded subtly toward a group of well–dressed men walking past. Look at them. Their clothes aren’t just fabric–they’re armor. When people see them coming, they automatically stand up straighter. They get respect before they even open their mouths.”
Ethan followed her gaze, understanding slowly dawning in his eyes.
“If you had to pick someone to mess with on the street,” Irene continued, “would you choose them, or someone who looks like they can’t afford to fight back?”
Ethan’s silence was answer enough.
“These things I want to buy you the brands, the clothes–they’re not about showing off. They’re weapons, Ethan. Protection. Tools that help you navigate places like this.” Her eyes crinkled slightly. “And I know that someday, you’ll walk into places like this on your own terms, buying whatever catches your eye.”
Something in her words connected with memories of her own journey–stepping into Sterling Manor for the first time, feeling like she didn’t belong and might be kicked out any second. The mix of fear and determination she’d felt then was reflected now in Ethan’s eyes.
“I understand,” he said finally, standing a little straighter. “Thank you.”
An hour later, they returned to the store. Irene picked out not just the blue striped shirt, but several others, plus a pair of premium sneakers. The afternoon flew by as they moved from store to store, bags accumulating in their hands.
By sunset, Irene’s car pulled back into Emerald Garden, completely stuffed with shopping bags. The triplets chatted excitedly about their new things, even Lily proudly clutching two small pink bags. Ethan’s steps were lighter, his shoulders straighter in his new
blue shirt.
Across the estate, Adam sat alone in his study, the only sound the occasional rustle of papers as he reviewed documents in the
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perfect quiet of his home
His phone buzzed. He answered without checking the screen.
“Yes?”
Thomas’s voice came through clearly. “Boss, just got word from the Education Board. They’ve completely resolved Ms. Sterling’s brother’s situation. Everything’s taken care of, exactly as you asked.
“Noted, Adam replied, revealing nothing in his tone.
“I’ll let you get back to work, Thomas said quickly before ending the call.
As the line went dead, Thomas stared at his phone, a small smile playing on his lips. The boss had never stepped in for anyone outside his inner circle before. Not once in all their years together. t he’d made one call for Irene’s brother, and the entire Education Board had jumped to attention.
Interesting, Thomas thought. Very interesting indeed.
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