Chapter 204
Tamming Daddy’s Billionaire Empire
Brandon sprawled across his hopital bed, glaring at his phone screen as if it had personally offended him. The string of increasingly desperate “jailbreak” texts to Irene remained unanswere, the blue message bubbles mocking his isolation
“Seriously? Not even a ‘shut up, Brandon‘? he muttered, tossing his phone onto the rumpled sheets. Ife sank deeper into his pillows with a dramatic sigh, the ceiling tiles becoming painfully familiar after days of confinement.
Just as he was contemplating the merits of feigning a medical emergency just to see a new face, a soft shuffling noise caught his attention. Three small heads peeked through the doorway–Alex, Lus, and Lily–hovering behind their mother with wide, cautious
eyes.
Brandon’s face lit up instantly. “Well, look who it is!” He stretched harms wide, wincing slightly as he jostled his leg. “Get in here, you little monsters! Uncle Brandon needs some quality time!*
The kids hesitated, clearly remembering the last disastrous hospital visit. Irene nudged them forward with a gentle hand on their backs, her lips curved into a reluctant smile.
As Brandon eagerly waved them in, he spotted Nathan standing near the window. His older brother’s presence was unexpected, and the slight tightening around Nathan’s eyes told Brandon he hadn’t anticipated Irene’s visit either.
Lucas broke the tension first, scampering to Brandon’s bedside. “Uncle Brandon! We saw your comment on Grandpa’s post!” His small hand patted Brandon’s arm. “The one where you said you were dying of boredom.”
“I’m totally wasting away here,” Brandon confided, giving Lucas a solemn wink.
Lily approached next, clutching something behind her back. “Lily brought you something,” she announced, revealing a slightly squashed chocolate bar. “For when you get sad.” She placed it carefully on his bedside table like it was precious treasure.
Alex hung back slightly, always the most observant. “Are they giving you the good drugs?” he asked with genuine curiosity. “Mom says that’s why you’re texting weird stuff.”
Brandon burst out laughing while Irene made a strangled noise. “Alex!”
“What? That’s what you said!” Alex protested, throwing his hands up.
wed, the child’s Nat
Brandon couldn’t stop grinning as he ruffled each child’s hair. From the corner of his eye, he caught Nathan’s expression–a complicated mix of envy and resignation. Biologically, Nathan was also these children’s uncle, but the title remained firmly out of reach.
Irene moved to Brandon’s injured leg, her doctor mode engaging as she examined the cast. “Been behaving yourself? Or should I check for escape tunnels under the bed?”
“Model patient, Brandon insisted, then added under his breath, “mostly because I can’t move.”
She prodded the edge of the cast, her touch clinical but gentle. “Healing nicely. We’ll schedule that follow–up procedure soon, then start the neurostimulation therapy.”
Brandon nodded, watching her work. For all their complicated history, he trusted Irene’s medical skills implicitly. She’d worked miracles when the other doctors had written off his leg completely.
The peaceful moment shattered when Irene suddenly stiffened, her shoulders tensing as if she’d sensed a th catching Nathan staring at her with unmistakable intensity.
Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” she said flatly.
She turned slowly,
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Brandon shot his brother a warning look. “Nale, back off.
The triplets froze in perfect unison, their playground–honed instinct for adult tension kicking in. They edged einer to Brandon’s bed, forming a tiny protective
ister.
“I’m just trying to figure something out,” Nathan said, his voice carefully neutral. About Dr. Joy.”
The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. Irene’s face went completely still, only her eyes betraying the calculation happening behind them.
“What about her?” The question came out clipped, dangerous.
Nathan leaned against the wall, studying her. “Strange coincidence. Br. Joy appears in Silver City right around when you returned. Same specialty. Same reputation for miracle treatments.“,
Brandon shook his head frantically at his brother. “Dude, don’t-”
“It’s you, isn’t it?” Nathan pushed on. “You’re Dr. Joy.”
“I didn’t say a word,” Brandon blurted to Irene. “He pieced it together himself. I swear.”
Irene’s expression shifted from shock to resignation, then finally settled into something harder, more defensive. She crossed her arms, shoulders squared like she was bracing for impact.
“And?” she challenged. “What’s it to you?”
Nathan stepped closer. “You could save Mom. Dr. Hayes said you’d increase her chances to seventy percent.”
“Not my problem.” Irene busied herself with straightening Brandon’s blanket, her movements sharp and precise.
“You took an oath,” Nathan pressed. “To heal the sick, regardless of personal feelings.”
Irene’s hands stilled. She looked up, a bitter smile twisting her lips. “Remind me again–was that before or after Rose slapped my five–year–old across the face?”
The triplets huddled closer together, Alex protectively wrapping an arm around Lily.
“She was upset,” Nathan offered weakly.
“She called my children bastards.” Irene’s voice dropped to something dangerous. “To their faces.”
Nathan shifted uncomfortably. “Look, I’m not defending that, but-”
“But nothing. Irene straightened to her full height. “Yes, I’m a doctor. Yes, I save lives. Some people she glanced at Brandon, her expression softening momentarily, “I’d move heaven and earth to help. Others?” Her gaze hardened as it returned to Nathan. “Not a
chance.”
“She gave you life,” Nathan argued, frustration bleeding into his voice.
Irene let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “And what exactly am I supposed to do with that? Send a thank you card? “Thanks for the DNA, sorry you treated me like garbage‘?” She shook her head. “Giving birth doesn’t make you a mother. Rose me that crystal clear when she threw me out.”
Nathan opened his mouth, then closed it. For once, he seemed genuinely at a loss.
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“You know what I remember most? Irene continued, her voice softer but no less intense. “When I came back with the kids, Ro didn’t even try. Not once. She looked at my children—her grandchildon with disgust. Annas the only daughter she claims. She took a step closer to Nathan. So don’t talk to me about family obligations.”
The silence stretched thick and heavy. Brandon reached out, squeezing Lucas’s shoulder reassuringly while the boy leaned against
him.
Outside in the corridor, Anna stood frozen, one hand pressed against the wall for support. Her manicured nails dug into her palm as she fought to control her breathing.
Dr. Joy. Irene is Dr. Joy.
The revelation hit her like a physical blow. The woman she’d dismissed, belittled, and schemed against wasn’t just some long–lost Sterling daughter–she was one of the most brilliant surgeons in the world. A doctor whose reputation had high society clamoring for appointments, whose treatments commanded astronomical fees.
Anna’s knees nearly buckled as the implications cascaded through her mind. Her carefully constructed world of Sterling privilege suddenly seemed built on quicksand..
She could destroy us all.
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