enius Kids‘ Scheme: Claiming Daddy’s Billionaire Empire
Chapter 24: A Chance Encounter
Back home, Irene spread her notes all over the kitchen counter. She’d been working on Adam’s treatment plan since lunch, determined to create something that would actually work this time. Unlike her usual patients, this one came with some… unique challenges.
“Mom?” Lily’s sleepy voice broke through her focus. “Isn’t it nap time?”
Irene glanced at her watch, surprised by how much time had passed. “Oh sweetie, you’re right! I got caught up in my work.” She started gathering her papers. “Time for all little geniuses to rest.”
“But I’m not tired!” Lucas protested, though his jaw–cracking yawn told a different story.
“Come on, bedtime is bedtime,” Irene said, herding her sleepy bunch upstairs. “Little geniuses need their beauty sleep.”
The kids‘ new rooms were absolutely gorgeous, with everything a child could dream of. Maybe a bit too gorgeous, Irene thought, remembering their much simpler setup back in R Country. But her little ones handled the upgrade with their usual adaptability.
“Arms up,” she instructed, helping them change into their comfy sleep clothes. Even their
pajamas were color–coordinated – Alex in navy blue, Lucas in forest green, and Lily in soft
pink. The familiar routine felt extra precious in these unfamiliar surroundings.
“There we go.” She tucked each child in with practiced care, making sure their favorite
stuffed animals were within easy reach. “Sweet dreams, my loves.”
As always, she gave each small forehead a gentle kiss. Alex’s serious little face softened as he drifted off. Lucas mumbled something about stock prices in his sleep. Lily clutched her Teddy bear closer, already lost in dreams.
Irene lingered in the doorway, watching them sleep. Five years of it being just the four of them, and now… She shook her head, closing the door quietly. Back to work.
The afternoon passed in a blur of medical texts and treatment plans. She was so focused she almost missed the sound of tiny feet padding down the stairs.
“Mommy!” Three voices called out in perfect sync. “We’re awake!”
Chapter 24 A Chance Encounter
She looked up to find her trio watching her with concerned expressions. “Have you been working this whole time?” Alex asked, frowning like a miniature adult.
“You need a break, Lucas declared with all the authority his five years could muster.
Lily bounced on her toes, dark curls flying. “The weather’s so nice! Can we go for a walk? Pretty please?”
Before Irene could answer, Lucas’s face lit up with that look that usually meant trouble. “We should invite Mr. Haven! Walking would be good for his recovery, right?”
All three immediately perked up at this suggestion, already turning toward the door.
“Hold it right there!” Irene’s hands found her hips as she gave them her best mom–means- business look. “We can’t just barge in on people whenever we feel like it. That’s not polite.”
“But we just want to invite him for a walk!” Lily’s bottom lip trembled slightly.
“Not happening, sweetie.” Irene tried not to notice how disappointed they looked. When had her kids gotten so attached to Adam, of all people?
They headed outside, her little ducklings trailing behind her with unusual quietness. The evening air was perfect – warm with just a hint of breeze. Maybe this walk would help
clear her head…
“Sir, the fresh air will do you good.”
Irene froze at the sound of Thomas’s voice. You’ve got to be kidding me.
Sure enough, there was Adam in his wheelchair, Thomas hovering nearby like an anxious
mother hen. Even looking tired from what was probably a full day of bossing people around, Adam still had that whole intimidating CEO thing going on.
“What a coincidence,” she managed, hoping her voice sounded normal.
“Where are you headed?” Adam asked, his deep voice carrying that subtle authority even when asking a simple question.
“Just getting some fresh air,” Irene replied, keeping her tone casual.
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Chapter 24: A Chance Encounter
Her three little traitors immediately lit up like Christmas trees. “Mr. Haven!” they chorused, previous disappointment forgotten.
“Are you going for a walk too?” Lily asked, practically vibrating with hope.
“Thomas insisted,” Adam replied, his voice carrying that hint of exhaustion that made him
sound almost human.
“You should join us!” Lucas jumped in before Irene could stop him. “You know the neighborhood better than we do – you could show us around!”
Irene opened her mouth to make their excuses, but Adam was already nodding. “Why
not?”
And just like that, their peaceful family outing turned into a group excursion. The kids immediately claimed positions around Adam’s wheelchair like tiny bodyguards, chattering away about their new rooms.
The sunset painted everything in warm gold, making the massive houses of Emerald Garden Estate look almost magical. Thomas pushed Adam’s wheelchair along the smooth
paths while everyone else walked beside them in surprisingly comfortable silence, broken
only by the kids‘ excited observations and Thomas’s occasional comments about the
neighborhood.
“Have you lived in R Country long?” Thomas asked after a while, clearly trying to make
conversation.
“No, actually. We’re back for good now.” Irene kept her voice light, professional.
“Oh? Did you grow up abroad then?”
She paused, memories flickering through her mind. “No,” she said finally, smiling slightly. “I grew up in the suburbs. Just a normal working–class family.”
Her gaze drifted to the horizon, mind wandering back to simpler days. Back before she knew she was a Sterling, before the pregnancy scandal, before everything got so
complicated…
“Mom?” Alex’s worried voice pulled her back. “You okay?”
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Chapter 24: A Chance Encounter
“Just thinking, baby.” She ruffled his hair, earning a mock–serious glare as he fixed it.
The kids had drifted back to cluster around Adam’s wheelchair, asking him about every house they passed. He answered with surprising patience, explaining who lived where and pointing out interesting architectural details.
Something in Irene’s chest twinged watching them. Since when did her babies prefer someone else’s company to hers? But she couldn’t exactly blame them. Even she had to admit Adam was handling their endless questions with unexpected grace.
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