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Genius Kids‘ Scheme: Claiming Daddy’s Billionaire Empre
Chapter 42
“What are you doing here?” Irene asked, genuine surprise coloring her voice as she looked up at Adam. The question came out naturally, carrying none of the tension that still crackled through the hospital room after Thomas’s bombshell announcement.
“Called your phone, but couldn’t reach you.” Adam’s deep voice held hint of concern beneath its usual authority. “We just finished a meeting nearby. Thought you might need a ride back.” His eyes swept briefly over the Sterling family members who were still gaping at him, their expressions frozen between shock and dismay.igured it would be easier than dealing with taxis, especially with the children.”
Irene’s hand flew to her pocket, finally realizing why she hadn’t felt her phone vibrate. “I must have left it at home, she admitted, relief flooding through her at the thought of not having to wrangle tree kids and her grandfather into a taxi. “Thank you that would actually be really helpful.”
–
“We’ll wait in the parking lot,” Adam said simply. “Come down when you’re ready.” He nodded to Thomas, who immediately moved to wheel him toward the door.
The silence that followed their exit was deafening. Anna stood rooted to the spot, her perfectly manicured hands trembling slightly as the full impact of what had just happened sank in. The great Adam Haven, CEO of Haven Enterprise, had completely ignored her existence. Worse, he’d come specifically looking for Irene.
Her cheeks burned with humiliation as she recalled her earlier preening. She’d been so sure he’d come for her, had already started spinning fantasies about the social coup it would represent. Now those dreams lay shattered at her feet like broken glass, sharp edges cutting into what remained of her dignity.
“This is impossible,” she whispered, her voice tight with disbelief and rage. “She’s nothing but a single mother with three kids. How could she possibly…”
The words died in her throat as she watched Irene turn back to Joseph, completely ignoring the drama unfolding around her. “Grandfather,” she said softly, her voice warm with genuine affection, “would you like to move to my place today? Everything’s already prepared.”
–
Joseph’s face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. “Of course, my dear! But tell me how did you get here so quickly? And Haven Enterprise’s CEO himself came to check on you?”
“Oh, that’s easy!” Lucas piped up, bouncing slightly on his toes with excitement. “We live right next door to Uncle Adam in Emerald Garden Estate! Mom borrowed his car to come here because she was so worried about you.”
A stunned silence swept through the room like a cold wind as every head snapped toward the little boy. Even John, who prided himself on his poker face in business dealings, couldn’t hide his shock.
“Emerald Garden Estate?” Nathan’s voice cracked slightly on the words. As someone who moved in Silver City’s highest circles, he knew exactly what that name meant. The most exclusive residential area in the city, with security systems that would make military bases jealous. Even the Sterling Group, with all its old money influence, hadn’t managed to secure property there.
“That’s right!” Alex nodded, his cherubic face failing to hide his satisfaction at their reactions. “The houses are super nice – they’ve got everything! And the view is amazing. Plus, having Uncle Adam next door is really convenient.”
Anna’s perfectly manicured nails dug into her palms until they nearly drew blood. She’d spent years cultivating the perfect image, learning every social grace, memorizing every rule of high society. Yet here was Irene, who’d grown up serving fast food, son living in a neighborhood even the Sterling family couldn’t access.
“This is ridiculous!” The words burst from her like poison. “How could someone like you possibly afford to live there? What kind of tricks did you pull?”
Irene’s only response was a cool glance that made Anna feel about two inches tall. Without bothering to reply, she turned her
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Chapter 42
attention to handling her grandfather’s discharge paperwork. Her movements were precise and efficient as she consulted with doctors, arranged for specialized care, and processed the necessary forms.
Within ten minutes, everything was ready. The triplets clustered around Joseph’s wheelchair like tiny bodyguards, their matching eyes daring anyone to interfere as Irene guided them toward the elevator.
“Wait!” Anna lurched forward, her designer heels clicking desperately against the hospital floor. But the elevator doors were already closing, leaving her staring at her own reflection in the polished metal.
She stood there for a long moment, her carefully constructed world rumbling around her. When she finally turned around, she found Richard already heading for the door, his expensive shoes eating up the distance between them.
“Richard!” Her voice came out higher than she intended, edged with panic. “Wait – let’s have lunch together? We could discuss the wedding plans…”
He paused but didn’t turn around. “Sorry, got a board meeting in twenty minutes. Rain check?” The words were polite enough, but his tone held about as much warmth as a frozen lake.
Anna watched him walk away, her heart pounding painfully in her chest. She turned to Rose, hating how desperate she sounded but unable to stop herself. “Mom? Maybe we could go shopping? Just us girls?”
Rose’s smile was strained as she adjusted her designer scarf. “Another time, darling. I have… a headache coming on. You understand.”
And just like that, Anna found herself alone in the hospital corridor. Her perfect makeup couldn’t quite hide the devastation in her eyes as she stared at the empty hallway where Richard had disappeared. The click of her heels echoed hollowly as she made her way to the parking lot, each step feeling heavier than the last.
She’d always counted on her beauty, her charm, her carefully cultivated image to secure her place in society. But watching Richard walk away without a backward glance had shattered that certainty. The realization hit her like a physical blow – when it really mattered, no one had stayed by her side.
The city lights blurred before her eyes as she drove aimlessly through streets that had once felt like her kingdom. Now each familiar landmark seemed to mock her, reminding her of a position that had never really been hers to begin with. The perfect daughter, the society darling, the future Mrs. Vein – all those carefully constructed identities were crumbling like a house of cards in a storm.
Her phone lay silent on the passenger seat, its dark screen a testament to how quickly fortunes could change. No concerned messages from Rose, no dinner invitations from Richard, no social engagements that had once filled her calendar. Just silence, stretching out before her like the empty road ahead.
Anna Claire, the girl who had everything, was learning a harsh lesson about the true nature of Silver City’s elite social circles. In this glittering world of power and privilege, there was no room for yesterday’s favorite when tomorrow’s star was rising. And as she drove through the darkness, she realized that maybe she’d never really belonged here at all.
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