Chapter 233 

Irene stared out the window, seing nothing. Her coffee had gone cold hours ago. Since returning from this morning’s surgery- saving Rose, the woman who’d discarded her without a second thought–she’d barely moved from this spot, completely drained. 

The thunder of small feet yanked her back to reality as Lily burst into the room, her brothers racing behind. 

“Mom!” Lily’s voice bubbled with excitement. “You need a break! Let’s hit Ocean World tomorrow!” 

Irene blinked, still foggy from the morning’s stress. 

“They’ve got this cool new delphin show,” Lily continued practically bouncing. “If we get there early, we can almost touch them!” 

Alex pushed his glasses up. “There’s also this tunnel where sharks swim right over your head.” 

“And this crazy water ride that goes through a huge wave!” Lucas added, eyes wide. 

Irene looked at their hopeful faces, feeling warmth spread through her chest. She’d just come off a tough surgery that finally cut her last ti to the Sterling name, and somehow these kids had figured out exactly what she needed–an escape from all the drama. 

How do they always know? she wondered, touched by their knack for reading her moods. 

She reached out, messing up each kid’s hair. “Count me in,” she said, her first real smile of the day breaking through. 

Lily’s eyes lit up as she traded quick glances with her brothers. “Uncle Adam probably hasn’t seen it either,” she suggested, trying to sound casual and failing completely. “He’s stuck working at home all the time. Pretty sad, right? We should bring him too!” 

Irene’s heart skipped at Adam’s name. Her thoughts drifted to him–how his eyes softened when she walked in, the way he noticed everything about her without her saying a word. Something had changed in how he looked at her lately, something that made her feel both nervous and oddly alive. 

When did that happen? she wondered. Their chess games, their shared meals–they’d fallen into such an easy pattern that the line between patient and… whatever they were now… had blurred without her noticing. 

“Mom?” Lucas waved à hand in front of her face. 

“Huh? Oh. Yeah, sure,” she answered, snapping back a beat too late. 

The triplets grinned at each other before racing toward Adam’s house like they were in a sprint. 

“Uncle Adam!” they called, bursting into his study without knocking Mom’s inviting you to Ocean World with us tomorrow! You in? 

Adam looked up from his laptop, work instantly forgotten. Though these surprise visits had become normal, hearing that the invitation came from Irene herself made his pulse quicken. 

She wants me there, he thought, feeling a rush of warmth. He found himself thinking about her–the way her eyes crinkled when she laughed, how she tucked her hair behind her ear when focused–details he’d noticed without realizing how much they mattered. The idea of spending a day with her and the kids sparked something in him that business deals never could. 

Wouldn’t miss it,” he replied, his voice softer, mouth quirking into a small smile. 

From his spot near the bookcase, Thomas watched his boss with hidden amusement. In all his years with Adam, he’d never seen anything crack that calm surface quite like Irene and her three little tornados. 

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Chapter 233 

The next morning, chaos took over at Emerald Garden, Backpacks were being stuffed, fights about snacks were happening, and shoes were lined up by the door. 

Brandon limped into the middle of the mess, eyebrows shooting up. Whoa, what’s all this? Where’s everybody rushing off to?” 

Lucas beamed up at him. “Ocean World with Mom and Uncle Adam! le proudly pointed to his blue sneakers already waiting by the 

door. 

Brandon’s face lit up. He bent down to kid–level, wincing as his leg hurt. “Fun day out? Room for one more awesome uncle?” 

Alex put his hands in his pockets, suddenly all serious. “No way, Your leg’s still messed up.” 

Lily nodded firmly. “Mom said you need rest.” 

Brandon’s jaw dropped. “But Adam’s going! His legs aren’t any better than mine!” 

The triplets shared a look that was way too knowing for kids their age–fike they were dealing with someone particularly clueless. 

“He has Thomas,” Lucas stated simply. 

“I have Henry!” Brandon pointed toward his assistant standing nearby. 

Lily sighed like she was dealing with a slow learner. 

Alex pushed his glasses up like a tiny professor about to drop some knowledge. “You’re not as cute as Uncle Adam.” 

“What?” Brandon clutched his chest like he’d been punched. “How am I not cute? I look just as good as Adam!” He flipped his hair dramatically. “We’re totally equal!” 

His voice got louder with every word. “My own family! Turning against me!” 

From his chair by the window, Joseph laughed openly. He’d been watching the whole scene with growing amusement, but seeing his grandson was truly clueless, he finally stepped in. 

“Give it up, Brandon,” he called out. “They don’t want you tagging along. Take a hint.” 

Brandon shuffled over to his grandfather, looking completely betrayed. He dropped into the chair next to Joseph, giving the kids one last hurt look as the front door opened to reveal Irene, ready for their day out. 

The triplets swarmed her immediately, chattering about their plans as they headed out to meet Adam and Thomas waiting by the 

car. 

The door closed, leaving the house suddenly quiet. 

“I really don’t get it,” Brandon mumbled, still pouting. “Who wouldn’t want me along for fun?” He gestured to himself. 

Henry, who’d stayed quiet through everything, finally couldn’t hold back. “Sir, you really don’t see what those kids are doing? They’re trying to set up Mr. Haven with your sister.” 

Brandon’s head snapped around, eyes huge. “They’re what?” He stared at Henry in total shock. “Wait… is that really what they were doing?” 

The realization lasted about three seconds before his face darkened ke a storm cloud. “Adam thinks he’s good enough for Irene? 

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Chapter 233 

She’s way better than him! Who does he think he is?” 

Henry opened his mouth, then closed it again, completely lost for words. What could he possibly say? In his mind, Adam was quite the catch–rich, smart, good–locking, and actually a decent guy under all that reserve. 

But clearly, for a brother like Brandon, no man would ever be good enough, not even Adam Haven. 

Rich or poor, healthy or injured, Henry thought with a hidden smile, no guy will ever pass Brandon’s test. He watched Brandon’s face twist with big–brother outrage and had to stop himself from laughing. 

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