Chapter 343
Joseph chuckled, settling into 1s favorite armchair. “I’ve been watching these two dance around each other for months. Painful to witness.”
“We weren’t that obvious,” Irene protested.
Five voices immediately contradicted her: “Yes, you were.”
Adam’s hand found hers, warm and steady. “Apparently we’re the last to know.”
Before Irene could respond, the front door burst open, and Ethan rushed in, still in his school uniform.
“I came as soon as school let out,” he panted. “James said you were hurt and-” He stopped short, taking in the scene, his eyes widening as they fell on Adam and Irene’s joined hands.
“No. Way.” A slow grin spread across his face. “The plan actually worked?”
“Et tu Ethan?” Irene sighed dramatically.
Ethan high–fived each of the triplets in turn. “Team Awesome strikes again!”
“Team Awesome?” Adam echoed, looking increasingly amused.
“That’s our code name,” Lucas explained. “For the get–mom–and–Adam–together squad.”
“We had weekly meetings,” Lily informed them seriously. “And progress reports.”
“Thomas took notes,” Alex added.
Adam shook his head, fighting a smile. “I’m surrounded by conspirators.”
Irene couldn’t help laughing, the warmth of family surrounding her like a blanket. After everything that had happened, this moment of joy felt like a miracle.
“You should stay home for a few days,” Adam said, eyeing her bandaged feet. “Those cuts need time to heal.”
Irene started to protest but caught Joseph nodding in agreement. “Fine, a couple days. But then I need to get back to work.”
“The research team can manage without you for a bit,” Adam insisted. “Your health comes first.”
At the Silver City Medical Research Center, Jennifer was the first to arrive, her mind preoccupied with the previous night’s events.
She’d personally witnessed Irene being taken, had watched as they’d forced her into a car. Now she was particularly eager to see what had happened–whether Irene would show up for work at all.
As the morning dragged on with no sign of Irene, Jennifer’s anticipation morphed into something uglier.
“Some people just think they’re entitled to special treatment,” she remarked loudly enough for others to hear. “Taking days off whenever they feel like it, forgetting their responsibilities as team leader. We have deadlines to meet–should everyone’s work suffer because she can’t be bothered to show up?”
Matthew, who had been quietly reviewing data nearby, looked up with a frown. “Irene called in. She’s taking a few pe
I days.”
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Chapter 343
“Oh, personal days,” Jennifer tupeated with mock understanding. How convenient. And the research timeline? I suppose that waits
for her too?”
“I’ll cover her workload,” Matthew said curtly. His tone silenced further complaints, though Jennifer’s eyes narrowed at his quick
defense.
She turned away, mind working furiously. Irene had clearly been taken against her will last night–but by whom? And why? The men had moved with professional precision, not like common thugs.
Jennifer pressed her lips together, suddenly realizing she was better off not involving herself in whatever had happened. If someone powerful enough to organize a professional kidnapping wanted Irene Sterling, asking questions would only put a target on her own back.
Better to keep my head down and focus on my own goals, she decided. Whatever trouble Sterling’s in, it’s not my problem.
Across town at Haven Mansion, the atmosphere couldn’t have been more different from the warmth of Irene’s home. Tension hung in the air like a storm about to break.
Adam had moved with lightning speed, calling an emergency shareholders‘ meeting that was traditionally held only at year’s end for financial reviews.
Board members and key executives arrived with apprehension evident on their faces. Everyone could feel it–change was coming to Haven Enterprise.
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