Genius Kids' Scheme Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire novel Chapter 245

Chapter 245

Irene sat in the living room staking at nothing, her thumb tracing lay circles around her wrist where Adam had grabbed her yesterday. That touch had left some kind of mark that wouldn’t fade no matter how many times she told herself to forget it.

Get a grip, she scolded herself. Don’t be ridiculous. He’s just a patient, stop swooning.

The doorbell rang, cutting through the afternoon quiet. Irene opened up to find Matthew Hayes balancing a few wrapped packages, a smile breaking across his face.

“Look who showed up,” he said, eyes crinkling.

“Matthew?” The tension in her shoulders eased. “What’s all this?”

He stepped in, holding everything steady. “Tea for Joseph and some stuff for the kids. Nothing fancy, just thought they’d enjoy

them.”

“You didn’t have to bring anything,” she said, taking some packages to help him out.

“I was passing by. His eyes said otherwise. “Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”

They settled in the living room, the afternoon sun warming the floor between them.

“We’re doing a three–day clinic at Children’s Welfare,” Matthew explained, leaning forward. “So many kids there with problems their families couldn’t afford to fix.” His eyes lit up. “With your skills, you could really help them out.”

Irene didn’t hesitate. “I’m in. Just tell me when.”

“Knew you’d say that.” The warmth in his smile made something stir inside her.

Thundering footsteps announced the triplets before they burst into the room, skidding to a stop when they spotted Matthew.

“Uncle Matthew!” they yelled together, zeroing in on the packages.

“Hey, trouble.” Matthew laughed. “Brought you some things. Wanna see?”

As he handed out gifts, Irene noticed how her kids subtly positioned themselves around her like tiny bodyguards, with Lily somehow ending up directly between her and Matthew.

“Staying for dinner, right?” Lily asked, already tearing into her gift.

“I don’t want to crash-” Matthew started.

“Just stay,” Irene cut in. “It’s been forever since we all ate together.”

“Yes!” Lucas pumped his fist. “Uncle Matthew does the best airplane noises!”

Brandon appeared on the stairs, stopping mid–step. “Matthew? What brings you by?”

Just stopping by,” Mathew replied easily.

As they chatted, Wesley appeared silently behind Brandon, making him jump. “Jesus! Make some noise when you walk!”

Wesley glanced briefly at Matthew, apparently found nothing interesting, and drifted back upstairs without a word.

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Chapter 245

“Is he always…?” Matthew’s question trailed off.

“You get used to it. Sort of, Brandon muttered.

Evening fell, and the dining room buzzed with voices as everyone gathered for dinner. Joseph sat at the head, Brandon and Wesley on one side, the triplets squeezed together opposite them, with Irene beside her children.

Matthew had just sat next to her when the door opened and Adam wheeled in. The room temperature suddenly seemed to drop several degrees.

“Haven, Matthew nodded, perfectly friendly on the surface,

“Hayes, Adam returned, equally polite to anyone who didn’t know better.

James served dinner smoothly, pretending not to notice the tension. The triplets weren’t fooled, though. Alex and Lucas traded looks while Lily hid her grim behind her napkin.

Adam immediately took charge, grabbing the salad bowl. “You need veggies,” he said, serving Irene before she could say anything. “You’ve been working too hard lately.”

Matthew’s smile never slipped. “Doctors know all about healthy eating. Irene probably understands food better than both of us put together

Irene kept her face neutral, but inside, confusion swirled. Why were they acting like this? The undercurrent of competition was impossible to miss, yet both men maintained perfect politeness.

“The treatments are working really well,” Adam continued. “Your methods are amazing.”

“Irene’s always been brilliant,” Matthew countered. “Everyone back home knows it.”

A tiny part of her–one she’d never admit to–felt a flutter of satisfaction at Adam’s attention. The way he’d jumped in to claim some connection to her, the subtle possessiveness in his tone… it wasn’t entirely unwelcome. The realization made her immediately annoyed with herself. What am I, sixteen? This isn’t high school.

“I see what she can do every day,” Adam said, eyes locked on Matthew. “You don’t understand what’s between us.”

Something flashed in Matthew’s eyes. “Working together creates its own kind of bond. That’s what you don’t understand.”

Irene focused on her plate, pretending complete obliviousness while her stomach tied itself in knots. She hadn’t asked for this territorial display from either of them. Yet watching Adam defend their… whatever it was… sent an unexpected warmth through her chest that she quickly tried to squash.

The triplets were practically bouncing with excitement, trading delighted looks across the table. Even Joseph seemed to be hiding a smile behind his glass.

Brandon’s fork finally clattered against his plate. “How about we talk about something else?” he said pointedly. “Weather, sports, literally anything else.”

His eyes said what his mouth didn’t: This is getting ridiculous.

Awkward silence fell and Irene almost thanked Brandon for the intervention. Almost.

Later that night, Irene adjusted the treatment pads on Adam’s leg, eyes fixed on the screen. The evening’s tension had followed them, hanging in the air like smoke.

“Everything looks good,” she noted, keeping it simple. “You’re getting better consistently.”

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Chapter 245

Adam watched her work, expression thoughtful. When her fingers acidentally brushed his skin, that same spark from yesterday jumped between them, making her hand freeze for just a second.

As she packed up, Adam finally broke the silence. “That clinic Hayes mentioned–it’ll be really tiring for you, right?”

“Probably, Irene nodded, not looking up. “Worth it though. Those kis deserve a chance.

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