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Genius Kids‘ Scheme: Claiming Daddy’s Billionaire Empire
Chapter 37
Irene had just finished breakfast with the triplets when her phone rang. Her grandfather’s name lit up the screen, bringing an intmediate smile to her face.
“Irene,” Joseph’s voice came through warm but determined, “I’ve made a decision. I’m moving in with you.”
Her heart leaped with joy. “Really? That’s wonderful! I can come pick you up-
“No need to trouble yourself,” he cut in gently. “I’ll have the driver bring my things over. Just give me the exact address.”
Irene bit her lip, suddenly conscious of her current transportation situation. She hadn’t gotten around to buying a car yet, relying on taxis and ride–shares to get around Silver City. Maybe it was better to wait at home and prepare things properly.
“Are you sure?” she asked, already mentally rearranging her morning plans. “Don’t bring too much already.”
—
I’ve got everything set up here
“Perfect,” Joseph replied, sounding pleased. “I’ll see you soon then.”
After hanging up, Irene turned to find three excited faces watching her intently.
“Was that Great–grandfather?” Lily bounced on her toes, dark curls flying. “Is he really coming to live with us?”
“Yes, sweetie.” Irene couldn’t help matching her daughter’s enthusiasm. “He’ll be here soon, so let’s make sure everything’s ready,
okay?”
The triplets scattered like well–coordinated soldiers on a mission, each heading to their assigned tasks with adorable determination.
Meanwhile, at Sterling Manor, Joseph’s announcement landed like a bomb in the middle of breakfast. John and Rose watched in growing confusion as their father directed the staff to pack his belongings, their expressions shifting from puzzlement to dawning horror as understanding set in.
“Father,” John ventured carefully, “taking luggage out so early – planning a vacation?”
His heart leaped with hidden joy at the thought. A vacation would be perfect! He can’t transfer those shares if he’s away traveling! John and Rose exchanged quick glances, barely concealing their delight at this possibility.
Joseph’s snort could have stripped paint. “Irene has my room ready. I’m going to live with her, which should spare me from your constant pestering!”
The silence that followed was deafening. Rose recovered first, her perfectly manicured fingers tightening around her teacup.
“But Father,” she protested, voice dripping with fake concern, “how could Irene possibly take proper care of you? And where is she even staying? That girl barely has two pennies to rub together!”
John’s brow furrowed with sudden suspicion. “The house she’s living in… Father, did you give it to her?”
Joseph’s eyes flashed dangerously. “My granddaughter is more than capable. Unlike some people, she actually cares about family instead of just pretending!”
“Grandfather,” Anna stepped forward, her face a masterpiece of calculated distress, “please don’t say that. We all care about you! If this is about me… if you’re upset because of the shares…”
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“The shares?” Joseph’s laugh was sharp as broken glass. “You mean the two percent they gave you? The company shares that should have gone to my real granddaughter? And now you dare show up here daily, acting like you belong?”
Nathan’s face darkened with disapproval. “Grandfather,” he cut in sharply, “Anna only comes by because she cares about you and our parents. Her heart is in the right place. You shouldn’t speak to her like this she was my sister for all those years.”
Joseph’s rage exploded at those words. “Don’t you dare forget – Irene is your sister! Your real sister, bound by blood!” His voice shook with fury as he jabbed a finger at them. “You ungrateful bunch If you won’t accept her back, fine – I’ll go live with my granddaughter myself!”
He turned to leave, but the family immediately jumped up to stop him.
“Father, wait!” John’s protest came too late.
Anna surged forward, grabbing Joseph’s arm with theatrical desperation. “Grandfather, please! It’s all my fault – I’ll leave, just please don’t go! This is your home!”
“Don’t touch me!” Joseph jerked away from her grip with such force that he lost his balance. Time seemed to slow as he fell, his body twisting awkwardly before hitting the marble floor with a sickening thud.
The color drained from his face as pain shot through his lower back. He tried to move but found himself unable to rise, agony written across his features.
“Father!” John and Rose rushed forward in panic.
“Grandfather!” Nathan was already pulling out his phone. “Someone call an ambulance!”
Back at her villa, Irene paced anxiously. Two hours had passed with no sign of her grandfather. Something wasn’t right. Her stomach churned with growing unease as she grabbed her phone, quickly dialing James’s number.
“Miss Irene,” James’s voice was tight with worry, “there’s been an accident. The old master fell – he’s been taken to Silver City Central Hospital.”
The words hit her like a physical blow. Irene gripped the edge of the counter to steady herself, her knuckles going white. “What happened? When?” Her voice came out sharp with barely controlled panic.
“About thirty minutes ago. Miss Anna… she grabbed him, and he lost his balance…”
Everything in Irene went still. The phone nearly cracked in her grip as ice–cold fury replaced her initial fear. Her next out in a whisper that could have frozen hell itself. “Which wing?”
words came
After getting the details, Irene hung up without another word. Her hands trembled slightly as she gathered her things, a storm of memories flooding back unbidden.
Five years ago, when everyone else had turned their backs on her, her grandfather had been there. When she’d had nowhere to go,
would. He’d no one to turn to, he’d appeared at her cheap motel room with hope and a future. He’d believed in her when no one been her anchor, her only true family in a world that had completely upended itself.
And now Anna had hurt him. Anna, who’d stolen her place for twenty years, who’d taken shares that should have been hers, who’d manipulated her way into keeping her position in the family – that Anna had dared to lay hands on her grandfather.
Irene’s jaw clenched so hard it hurt as she headed for the door, her heels clicking against the floor with deadly purpose. She’d learned to let go of a lot of things over the years. She’d swallowed her pride, rebuilt her life from nothing, focused only on her children and her career. But this? This was different.
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Chapter 37
The cold fury in her chest crystallized into something sharp and dangerous. No one hurt her grandfather. No one,
“Anna,” sh
whispered, the name tasting like poison on her tongue, you’ve gone too far this time.”
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