Chapter 246
Morning light splashed across the kitchen counter as Irene stuffed supplies into her medical bag. Matthew had organized everything for their three–day clinic at local welfare institutes. First stop: today
“You’ll be home for dinner, right?” Lucas asked through a mouthful cereal.
“Chew first, then talk,” Irene said, glancing up. “And maybe? Don’t wait up If I’m late. Just listen to Joseph and James. Homework before video games.”
*Adam’s bringing cool equipment today,” Lily chimed in, watching he mom like a tiny detective.
Irene’s hands froze mid–motion. “He is. How’d you know that?”
“Told us yesterday while you were fixing his legs,” Alex pushed his gasses up importantly. “Said Haven’s donating everything. Pretty
huh?”
awesome,
“Yeah, it is,” Irene admitted, something warm flickering in her chest. These kids had somehow adopted Adam into their lives without her even noticing.
She rubbed her temples, wincing at the dull throb behind her eyes. Between patient treatments, household responsibilities, and sleepless nights, she was running on fumes. But those welfare kids needed her more than she needed sleep.
“Mom, you okay?” Alex’s eyes narrowed, missing nothing.
“Just need coffee,” she lied, ruffling his hair. “I’m fine, promise.”
The welfare institute looked like it had given up trying to be cheerful years ago. Children lined the main hall, their skinny frames and wary eyes making Irene’s heart clench.
“Everything’s ready,” Matthew greeted her, warm smile crinkling his eyes. “Fifty kids on the schedule.”
Irene nodded, already focused on the children. She crouched down to their eye level, her voice softening. “Hey there. Anyone want anything special?”
They stared back like spooked animals.
“Scared is totally normal,” Irene continued. “I’m just a doctor here to help the ouches go away. Everyone in white coats? We’re the good guys. She tilted her head. “Think you can be brave for me?”
A tiny girl with knobby shoulders finally whispered, “Can I have a teddy bear? For sleeping?”
The girl was Lily’s height but half her weight, collarbones sharp enough to cast shadows. Irene swallowed the sudden lump in her throat..
“Absolutely,” she promised. “I’ll find you the cuddliest one ever.”
Hope flashed across the girl’s face, and suddenly the dam broke:
“Batman toy for me?
“I want books!”
1 like Barbie!”
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Genius Kids Scheme: Claiming Daddy’s Billionaire Empre
Chapter 246
Morning light splashed across e kitchen counter as Irene stuffed supplies into her medical bag. Matthew had organized everything for their three–day clinic at local welfare Institutes. First stop: today
“You’ll be home for dinner, right? Lucas asked through a mouthful of cereal.
“Chew first, then talk,” Irene said, glancing up. “And maybe? Don’t wait up if I’m late. Just listen to Joseph and James. Homework before video games.”
“Adam’s bringing cool equipment today,” Lily chimed in, watching he mom like a tiny detective.
Irene’s hands froze mid–motion. “He is. How’d you know that?”
“Told us yesterday while you were fixing his legs,” Alex pushed his glasses up importantly. “Said Haven’s donating everything. Pretty awesome, huh?”
“Yeah, it is,” Irene admitted, something warm flickering in her chest. These kids had somehow adopted Adam into their lives without her even noticing.
She rubbed her temples, wincing at the dull throb behind her eyes. Between patient treatments, household responsibilities, and sleepless nights, she was running on fumes. But those welfare kids needed her more than she needed sleep.
“Mom, you okay?” Alex’s eyes narrowed, missing nothing.
“Just need coffee,” she lied, ruffling his hair. “I’m fine, promise.”
The welfare institute looked like it had given up trying to be cheerful years ago. Children lined the main hall, their skinny frames and wary eyes making Irene’s heart clench.
“Everything’s ready,” Matthew greeted her, warm smile crinkling his eyes. “Fifty kids on the schedule.”
Irene nodded, already focused on the children. She crouched down to their eye level, her voice softening. “Hey there. Anyone want
anything special?”
They stared back like spooked animals.
“Scared is totally normal,” Irene continued. “I’m just a doctor here to help the ouches go away. Everyone in white coats? We’re the good guys.” She tilted her head. “Think you can be brave for me?”
A tiny girl with knobby shoulders finally whispered, “Can I have a teddy bear? For sleeping?”
The girl was Lily’s height but half her weight, collarbones sharp enough to cast shadows. Irene swallowed the sudden lump in her throat..
“Absolutely,” she promised. “I’ll find you the cuddliest one ever.”
Hope flashed across the girl’s face, and suddenly the dam broke:
“Batman toy for me?
mei
“I want books!”
I like Barbie!”
1/3
Chapter 246.
Irene swiped at her forehead, Ignoring a wave of dizziness: “Got Ital in my mental shopping list. Be good during check–ups, and everyone gets what they asked for. Deal?
The kills bobbed their heads, su denly eager to line up properly.
“You’re like a child whisperet, a nurse muttered. “Usually this is total chaos.”
“Try having triplets,” Irene laughed, pretending the room wasn’t tilting slightly. “Makes this look easy.”
She worked through the morning, moving from one small patient to the next. Most were just underfed or fighting minor infections- fixable problems that broke her heart anyway.)
Around noon, voices echoed down the hallway. Adam wheeled into the room with Thomas following, pushing a cart loaded with medical gear.
“Haven,” Matthew’s voice could’ve frozen water. “Bit far from your usual corporate–spotlight, aren’t you?”
Adam swept his gaze past Matthew, finding Irene across the room before turning back. His face gave nothing away, but his eyes
were arctic.
Thomas stepped forward. “Mr. Haven arranged these resources immediately after hearing about the clinic. Haven Enterprise is covering all expenses.”
“More resources means helping more children,” Adam said simply. “That should be everyone’s focus here.
Irene crossed the room, deliberately placing herself between them. Adam and I discussed this earlier. He’s been incredibly generous providing exactly what we needed.”
She turned to Adam, genuine gratitude softening her expression. “Thanks for getting everything here so fast.
“I promised you support,” Adam replied. “I keep my promises.”
Matthew’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “How thoughtful. The children send their regards, I’m sure.”
Adam completely ignored him, eyes fixed on Irene. “How was your morning? You look pale.”
“I’m good,” she tucked hair behind her ear, feeling strangely exposed under his scrutiny. “Kids are cooperating. We’re making progress.”
“Your color’s off,” Adam persisted. “When did you last sit down?”
“Doctor’s curse,” Irene laughed. “Fix everyone but yourself. Really, I’m fine.”
Adam didn’t push, but concern lingered in his gaze as he silently handed her a water bottle. That small gesture–him noticing she needed something before she even realized it herself–sent warmth spreading through her chest. Warning bells clanged in her head. She was getting dangerously comfortable with his attention.
Medical staff swarmed the new equipment, exclaiming over tools they rarely saw outside fancy hospitals. Adam had nailed it- portable diagnostic tools, advanced breathing equipment, specialized kid sized instruments.
As Irene explained treatment plan to another doctor, a small boy burst into the room, terror written across his face.
“Doctor lady!” he panted, pointing frantically down the hall. “Little Bell can’t breathe! Her face is turning blue!”
Irene’s exhaustion vanished, “Show me. Now.”
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Chapter 246
She bolted after the boy, Adarf and Matthew both right behind her. They found Little Bell in a tiny dorm room, her small chest heaving with desperate attemets to breathe. The blue–purple color und her lips made Irene’s stomach drop
She has breathing problems since birth, the director babbled. “Never allowed to run or jump-
Irene was already checking the girl, hands moving quickly. With Mathew’s help, she positioned Little Bell kneeling on the bed, hugging a pillow with her upper body feaning forward.
This position helps her breathe better, Irene explained, voice steady despite the emergency. She turned to the growing crowd. “I need space in here–too many people makes the air worse. Someone grab her breathing medicine. Now.”
Adam silently backed away, giving them room, while Matthew stayed to assist. The air grew heavy with tension as everyone watched Little Bell fight for breath.
Working methodically, Irene continued her examination, her frown deepening. The medicine was helping, but not enough.
“This isn’t just her usual breathing problem,” she murmured to Matthew, listening to the girl’s chest with growing concern.
From the doorway, Adam watched silently, noting the slight tremble in Irene’s hands and the shadows beneath her eyes. He saw both her exhaustion and the way she pushed through it, her focus completely on saving this child.
Little Bell’s breathing eased slightly, but her condition remained shaky. Irene shook her head, lips pressed into a thin line.
“We need to move fast,” she said, her voice barely masking her worry. “There’s something else going on here.”
Adam stood in the doorway, watching Irene work. The way she fought for this child she’d just met, pushing past her own exhaustion without a second thought–it stirred something in him he couldn’t name. In her eyes, he saw a fierce protectiveness he recognized from his own heart. And in that moment, though neither of them realized it, she held his heart in her hands just as surely as she held Little Bell’s life.
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