Genius Kids' Scheme Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire novel Chapter 144

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Genius Kids‘ Scheme: Claiming Daddy’s Billionaire Empre

Chapter 144

Food’s ready! Wash up!” trene alled, stirring something that smelled amazing.

As everyone settled around the table, Ethan found himself facing Adam. The triplets had maneuvered this with ninja–level stealth, claiming their usual spots in a way that left only these chairs open.

Irene set down the last dish and took her seat. Conversation flowed easily at first, with the kids dominating with tales of their hot springs adventure.

During a quiet moment, Ethan reached over with the serving spoon and added food to Adam’s plate before he could refuse.

“Heard you’ve been helping my sister and the kids since they got back, Ethan said casually. “Thanks for looking out for them, Mr. Haven… or should I call you my future brother–in–law?”

Irene choked on her water, coughing and turning bright red. She couldn’t even look at Adam, mortified by her brother’s obvious

hint.

“That’s unnecessary,” Adam replied coolly, like Ethan had just commented on the weather. “Neighbors help each other.”

The triplets exchanged victorious glances, eyes sparkling with delight at Ethan’s bold move.

For Irene, dinner crawled by in slow–motion torture. She kept her eyes glued to her plate, wondering if it was actually possible to die from embarrassment. Every time Ethan opened his mouth, she braced herself for another matchmaking attempt, but he seemed

satisfied with the bomb he’d already dropped.

When Adam finally left for the night, Irene felt mentally drained. The second the door closed, she whirled on her brother.

“What was that?” she hissed, arms crossed tight. “Never do that again!”

Ethan played dumb, eyes wide. “Do what?”

“The ‘future brother–in–law‘ comment!” Her voice strained with disbelief. She glanced at the triplets, who suddenly found the ceiling fascinating. “Did you four plan this?”

“Come on, if he’s not your boyfriend, he should be,” Ethan shrugged, not hiding his smirk. “Why else would he eat here every night?”

“We have a professional relationship,” Irene said through gritted teeth. “I’m next door because his treatment needs those special baths, and his place isn’t set up for them. He and Thomas eat here because it’s convenient, and yes, he pays for food.”

The explanation felt ridiculous, but she needed to shut this down before it happened again. The last thing she wanted was Adam thinking she was behind these comments.

“Right, tally professional,” Ethan nodded, but his eyes gave him away.

Irene sighed. She’d lost this round. She could only hope Adam hadn’t taken any of it seriously.

Across town, the Claire house had erupted into panic.

“Where is he?” Jenny paced, clutching her phone, genuine worry creasing her forehead. “It’s been hours! What if something happened to him?

Mike checked his watch again, his façade of irritation slipping to reveal parental concern. “He’s sixteen, not six, but…” he paused,

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Chapter 144

it’s not like him to just disapear without telling us where he’s going

Only now, after hours of waiting, did they finally check Ethan’s bedroom. Opening the door revealed an empty room and half- emptied drawers hanging open.

Jenny’s hand new to her mouth. Oh my God, he packed his things. Mike, he’s really gone, Her voice cracked with unmistakable motherly feat.

Mike’s face paled as he stared at the empty drawers. For all his talk about family reputation, the sight of his son’s partially emptied room hit him hard.

“This is your fault, Jenny snapped, rounding on Anna who was still tting primly on their couch. “If you hadn’t gone after him about that scholarship–”

Anna’s eyes flashed. “My fault? I’m not the one who raised a kid who forges documents. The Sterling name means something, and I won’t let some nobody drag it down-

“Let’s not start this again,” Mike cut in, sounding exhausted. “What’s done is done. We need to find him before he does something else that hurts our standing with the Sterlings.”

Jenny stared at her husband in disbelief while Anna nodded approvingly.

A tense silence fell as Anna watched them with cold satisfaction.

I’ve called six times,” Jenny said, checking her phone again. “He won’t pick up.”

Mike ran his hand through thinning hair. “We’ve tried all his friends. Nobody’s seen him.”

“Checked his social?” Anna asked, scrolling through her own phone with practiced indifference.

“Nothing there either,” Jenny replied, her voice trembling. She gripped her phone tighter. “He’s never stayed out this late without calling. Not even when he was angry with us before.”

Mike returned from quickly checking the rest of the house, looking even more concerned. “His laptop’s gone too. And the emergency cash I keep in my desk.” The small relief in his voice highlighted his underlying worry.

“What if something happened to him?” Jenny said, tears forming. “He could be anywhere, hurt, or-”

They fell quiet, lost in thought. Then Anna’s eyes narrowed with sudden clarity.

“Irene,” she said, the name dripping with disdain. “He’s run to her.”

Mike and Jenny exchanged looks that mixed worry with a flash of hope. The possibility hadn’t occurred to them, but now it seemed obvious. Ethan had always worshipped his sister, even after learning they weren’t blood related.

“But…” Jenny frowned. Emerald Garden has security. People can’t just wander in.”

“And even if he got there, Irene wouldn’t let him in,” Mike added weakly. “Not after everything that’s happened.”

Anna smiled coldly. “You sure about that? This is Saint Irene we’re talking about. She’d never turn away her precious little brother, no matter how she feels about you two.”

The Claires winced at how accurate that was.

Even if he is there,” Jenny said, twisting her wedding ring, “they’d never let us in to get him. That place has crazy security.”

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