Irene drove in silence, watching the city blur past her window. The evening lights of Silver City flickered on one by one, but they couldn’t brighten her mood. Her fingers drummed against the steering wheel, betraying the storm brewing inside her. 

Three hundred million dollars. “The number kept circling in her head. Not because she was tempted–God, no–but because the sheer audacity of it made her blood boil. As if she had a price tag. 

In the rearview mirror, she caught three worried faces watching her the triplets sat unnaturally still in the backseat, their usual chatter completely absent. 

Alex leaned toward his siblings, his voice barely audible. “Mom’s upset. Better zip it for now.” 

Lucas and Lily nodded, their eyes wide. They kept sneaking glances a their mother’s reflection, then exchanging worried looks with 

each other. 

Lily hugged her stuffed rabbit against her chest like a shield. Lucas picked at his seatbelt, clearly itching to say something but holding back. Alex just watched, his little face carrying an expression no five–year–old should have to wear. 

When they finally pulled into their driveway, Irene killed the engine and sat there for a beat, hands still gripping the wheel. 

“Come on, kiddos,” she finally said, her voice coming out flatter than she intended. “Let’s get inside.” 

The moment they stepped through the front door, Irene headed straight for the stairs. “Sweethearts, Mommy needs to lie down for a 

bit, okay?” 

Brandon looked up from the couch, surprise crossing his face. “Irene? Irene?” he called after her. 

She kept walking, disappearing upstairs without a backward glance. The soft click of her bedroom door closing echoed through the suddenly quiet house. 

Brandon scratched his head, turning to the triplets who stood frozen in the entryway, still wearing their backpacks. “What’s with 

your mom?” 

The three children exchanged a look that seemed to contain an entire conversation. Without a word, they marched past Brandon and up the stairs in perfect formation. Their bedroom door closed with a decisive thud. 

“What the hell?” Brandon muttered to the empty room. He paced a few steps, stopping to glance up the stairs. “This isn’t like Irene 

at all.” 

He drummed his fingers against the banister, debating. “Did they have a fight? Mother and kids?” He shook his head immediately. “No way. Irene would move mountains for those munchkins.” 

After a minute of indecision, Brandon headed upstairs and knocked on Irene’s door. “Hey, you okay in there? Whatever’s wrong, I’ve got two good ears and nowhere to be.” 

“Don’t bother me,” came the reply, cold enough to frost the doorknob. 

Brandon’s hand froze mid–knock. “I… I’m just trying to help. What’d I do?” 

Brandon,” Irene’s voice softened slightly but remained firm. “I really need to be alone right now. Please.” 

“Right. Got it.” He backed away, hands up in surrender. “I’m around if you change your mind.” 

Frustrated but determined, Brandon moved down the hall to the kids room. If the big one’s not talking, maybe the little ones will 

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Chapter 376 

crack. 

He rapped his knuckles playfully on their door. “Hey, squirtel How vé trate quality tau wrx yone ferures. 

“No three voices shouted in unison. Unde Brandon, we’re having 

*Important meeting?” Brandon mouthed silently, eyebrows shooting. Its pendant, then tres beans ply. Ino it. I’m just the uncle around here, Practically the invisible men.” 

He trudged back downstairs, thoroughly confused. “Somethings definitely sp with this buork tokey true, in poting money 

Inside the triplets‘ room, three solemn faces formed a tight circle on their fluffy grey carget. They saw top, We Gary executives at an emergency board meeting. 

Lucas squeezed his teddy bear, eyes worried. ‘Did Grandma yell at Men? She looks so sad 

Alex nodded grimly. “I think Grandma said something really mean at the call. Mow’s eyes got all red he she was trying suger Bas not to cry.” 

Lily leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. I heard Grandma say she wanted to give Mom money to low tide k 

Alex and Lucas gaped at each other. 

“Give Mom money to leave?” Lucas’s jaw dropped. “What does that even meant 

Alex’s face hardened with understanding beyond his years. “It means Grandma doesn’t want Mom and Unde Adams together, so ste tried to buy Mom off.” 

Lily’s bottom lip quivered. “So we won’t see Uncle Adam anymore? But I don’t want that? 

The three fell silent, the weight of adult problems pressing down on their small shoulders. 

Lucas’s eyes welled up. “Uncle Adam is so nice to us. He never gets mad when I spill things, and he always has time for my questions. Why would Grandma be so mean?” 

Alex’s expression shifted, determination replacing worry. “Guys, this is an emergency. I think we need to tell Uncle Adam the trans about who we are.” 

“Tell him the truth?” Lucas blinked rapidly. “You mean… that he’s our dad?” 

Alex nodded firmly. “If Uncle Adam knows we’re his kids, maybe he and Sophia grandma won’t keep him and Mom apart. Then Mom won’t be sad anymore.” 

Lily twisted her rabbit’s ear nervously. “But shouldn’t we tell Mom first? What if she gets mad at us for going behind her back? 

“Mom’s too upset right now,” Alex reasoned. “She’s already dealing with a lot. We need to fix this ourselves.” 

Lucas’s voice trembled. “But what if… what if he doesn’t believe us? Or worse–what if he doesn’t want us?” 

Alex’s confident facade cracked for just a second before he squared his tiny shoulders. “I don’t know. But we have to try. At leas we’ll have done something.” 

“If he doesn’t want us, will Mom keep being sad?” Lucas pressed. 

“When people aren’t allowed to love each other, they get really sad. I saw it on TV, Alex explained with all the certainty of a child 

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Chapter 376 

who believes television reflects real life. “We have to help Mom.” 

Lily’s eyes brightened. “If Uncle Adam knows we’re his kids, he’ll love Mom even more, right?‘ 

“Ferure, Alex confirmed. “So we have to tell him.” 

Lily nodded firmly. “I’ll do anything to make Mom happy again.” 

Lucas puffed out his chest, though fear still lingered in his eyes. “I’m scared, but I’ll be brave for Mom!” 

The three joined hands in the center of their circle. Alex spoke with the gravity a five–year–old could muster: “Operation: Tell Daddy Everything begins now!” 

“One, two, three, go!” they whispered in unison, their determination stronger than their fear. 

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