Chapter 206 

Irene yanked the landline cord from the wall and glanced at her powered–off phone. No more Sterling drama today 

The morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen windows as she ipped her coffee. The Dr. Joy revelation wasn’t what bothered 

her most. 

It was Rose’s treatment of her children that she couldn’t get past, 

During those tough years in R Country, her three little ones had kept her going when nothing else could. They were her world. She’d forgive a lot of things, but never someone hurling her kids–especially not from the woman who should have been their loving grandmother. 

In the living room, three small heads huddled in whispered consultation. 

“Mom’s been down all day,” Lily whispered, twisting the hem of her shirt between tiny fingers. We gotta fix it.‘ 

‘Let’s take her to a movie, Lucas suggested, tapping his chin thoughtfully. 

Alex swiped through his tablet with a dismissive snort. “A movie? We have a projector at home, dummy.” 

Lucas stuck out his tongue. “Just trying to help. 

Alex suddenly froze mid–swipe, eyes lighting up. Got it! That orchestra Mom always talked about in R Country is playing their final show tonight. She never got to see them perform.” 

“Perfect!” Lucas nodded enthusiastically. 

Lily bounced on her toes. “Should we ask Uncle Adam too?” 

Lucas tapped her head lightly. “Duh! How else will they spend time together?” 

Lily rushed next door while her brothers tackled the more challenging task of persuading their mother. Adam was reviewing security reports when a knock interrupted his concentration. He opened the door to find Lily rocking back and forth, barely containing her excitement. 

“Uncle Adam! Wanna come to a concert tonight?” she blurted out. 

“What concert?” he asked, amused by her enthusiasm. 

“This orchestra Mom loves! She missed them twice in R Country. Once the show got canceled, and the other time she had to do emergency surgery.” Lily looked up with pleading eyes. “She’s been sad because of those mean Sterling people.” 

Adam set his tablet aside without hesitation. “Then we’d better go,” he said, a smile playing at his lips. 

Lily grinned and raced back home to rejoin her brothers. Soon after, the triplets approached their mother in the living room. 

“Mom? Lucas ventured. “We have a surprise.” 

Irene looked up from her medical journal. “A surprise?” 

“Uncle Adam got us all tickets to that orchestra you always talked about,” Alex explained. “The one from tonight.” 

Irene’s face lit up. “Really? That orchestra? How did he even know about them?” 

intry. Last show 

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Chapter 206 

*Lily told him how much you wanted to see them, Laicos added. “And how you missed them twice in R. Country? 

Something flickered across tree’s face not displeasure, but something warmer. “That was thoughtful of him. 

The boys exchanged quick glances, pleased with her reaction. 

By evening, the university gym had transformed into a makeshift concert hall. Despite being the final performance, the place was packed, buzzing with energy. 

Irene led the kids through the crowd, Adam rolling alongside them. They settled into premium seats in the center section. 

“These are amazing seats,” Ire 

whispered to Adam. “Must have been hard to get.” 

“I know people,” he replied with a hint of a smile. 

The lights dimmed, silencing the crowd. When the first notes filled the hall–clear, precise violin tones that made Irene’s chest tighten–she felt the weight of the past days melting away. 

The triplets stole glances at their moth 

throughout the performance. The tension had melted from her face, replaced by something 

close to peace. Beside her, Adam sat equally captivated, his usual sharp focus softened. 

During a particularly moving passage, Irene leaned slightly toward Adam, their arms nearly touching. When the music swelled to its peak, they turned to each other simultaneously, sharing surprised smiles in the darkness. 

As the final notes faded and applause thundered through the hall, Irene clapped until her hands hurt, face alive with genuine joy. 

“That was amazing,” she said as the lights gradually brightened. 

Adam nodded, his eyes lingering on her animated face. “Worth the wait?” 

“Every second.” Her smile reached her eyes for the first time in days. 

As they exited, they were met with an unexpected downpour. Concertgoers huddled under the entrance, unwilling to brave the rain 

“Car’s a bit far,” Thomas said apologetically. “I’ll grab umbrellas.” 

Before he dashed out, Adam noticed Irene’s slight shiver. Without a word, he removed his jacket and handed it to her. 

“You’ll be cold,” she protested. 

“I’m fine,” he replied, patting the blanket on his lap. “Take it.” 

Irene slipped the jacket on, feeling its warmth and catching a hint of his cologne. 

“Better?” Adam asked, his voice gentler than usual. 

“Much,” she nodded, meeting his eyes. “Not just the jacket–the evening. I needed this.” 

“The music was incredible,” Adam agreed. “That second movement… He shook his head, searching for words. 

“You actually enjoy classical music?” Irene asked, genuinely surprised 

“More than I realized,” he admitted. “Something about it feels… right 

? 

Just beyond the crowd, a shadow moved. A camera lens caught the light briefly as it focused on Irene wearing Adam’s jacket, their 

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Chapter 206. 

faces close in conversation. 

Thomas returned with umbrellas, and they made their way to the car through the drumming rain. 

As they approached the car, Adam paused, glancing sharply over his boulder. 

“What is it?” Irene asked, following his gaze into the rain blurred darkness. 

“Nothing,” he answered after a beat, his voice casual despite the alertness in his eyes. “Let’s get out of this rain.” 

Inside the car, the kids‘ excited chatter filled the space. Lily 

Curled against Irene’s side, rambling about her favorite parts. Adam remained unusually quiet, occasionally checking the side mirror with subtle glances. 

Thomas pulled onto the main road, speeding up just enough to be noticeable. His grip on the steering wheel tightened, knuckles white under the passing streetlights. 

While Irene focused on the children, Alex and Lucas exchanged concerned looks, picking up on the tension. Alex caught Adam’s eye briefly in the mirror, his young face surprisingly serious. 

Without warning, Thomas turned onto a different route. Adam’s gaze fixed on the side mirror again, watching as another car made the same unexpected turn. His jaw tightened slightly before he looked down, fingers moving quickly across his phone screen. 

When they finally reached Emerald Garden Estate, the rain had intensified. Thomas pulled up to Irene’s door, hurrying around with the wheelchair. 

“Keep the umbrellas,” Adam told Irene as she gathered sleepy children. “Still coming down hard out there.” 

“Thanks,” she smiled, genuine warmth in her eyes. “I’ll bring them back tomorrow.” 

Adam watched until they disappeared inside, his expression immediately hardening once the door closed. 

“Anna’s moving faster than I thought,” he said coldly, still staring at Irene’s house. 

“Should we take care of it now?” Thomas asked, tension evident in his voice. 

Adam’s expression darkened. “Let them think they’ve won. I want to see their entire playbook before we shut it down.” 

His phone lit up. After reading the message, he fired off a quick text that ended with “Keep Irene out of it.” 

Minutes later, Thomas’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen before turning to Adam. “They got him, boss.” 

Adam’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his usually composed face turning to ice. “Good. I think our chat.” 

photographer and I need to have a 

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