Genius Kids' Scheme Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire novel Chapter 33

The sound of Irene’s heels clicking against the floor echoed through the entrance hall of her new villa. She’d barely taken two steps inside when Alex appeared, his small face brightening at the sight of her. Without hesitation, he grabbed her house slippers and hurried over.

“Mom!” He knelt down to help her out of her shoes, his movements carrying that oddly mature precision that sometimes made her heart ache. “How was lunch with Uncle? Did he give you trouble?”

Irene’s lips curved into a slight smile as she watched her eldest fuss over her. Even at five, he was already such a little protector. “No one can give your mom trouble,” she assured Rim, but something in er voice made Alex’s eyes narrow. “Though… he’s not your uncle. Don’t call him that anymore, okay?”

Alex’s tiny hands paused in the middle of arranging her slippers. He might be young, but he wasn’t stupid – he could read between the lines of what his mother wasn’t saying. Someone had hurt her today. His small face hardened with a determination that looked absurdly out of place on his cherubic features.

Without a word, he reached up and took her hand in his. His grip was warm and sure, those little fingers wrapping around hers with complete trust. “It’s okay, Mom,” he said with all the wisdom of his five years. “We have Great–grandfather, and that’s enough! You should bring him to live with us soon. We can be a real family together, just us we don’t need anyone else.”

–

Well, he amended silently, except maybe Mr. Haven. He’d make a perfect addition to our family.

Irene felt something in her chest loosen at her son’s words. Trust her brilliant boy to know exactly what she needed to hear. “You’re right, sweetheart.” She squeezed his hand gently. “Have you three eaten? Where are your brother and sister?”

“They’re inside,” Alex replied simply.

Meanwhile, at Sterling Manor, the atmosphere crackled with tension as Joseph stormed through the front door, his face dark with fury. John and Rose hurried to greet him, their voices carefully modulated to hide their anxiety.

“Dad, you’re back-”

Joseph cut them off with a disgusted snort; heading straight for the stairs without acknowledging their presence. The slam of his bedroom door echoed through the mansion like a gunshot.

Nathan strode in after him, looking like a GQ model having a really bad day. His usually perfect hair was slightly messed up – which for Nathan was basically the equivalent of someone else having a complete meltdown. One look at his face and his parents knew things hadn’t gone according to plan.

“Let me guess she won’t give up?” John’s voice dripped with disbelief and barely contained anger.

Nathan ran his fingers through his perfect hair with a frustrated sigh. Coming from Mr. Always–In–Control, that tiny gesture was basically a full–blown meltdown. “Of course she won’t,” he snapped, his CEO mask slipping for a moment. “We’re talking about a massive stake in Sterling Group. Nobody just walks away from that kind of money.” His perfect lips twisted into something ugly. “And after the mess at lunch? Grandfather’s definitely going to take her side even more now,”

The tension in the room got so thick you could practically slice it with one of their fancy butter knives. Even the expensive paintings on the walls looked like they were judging them all.

“Brother,” Anna turned to Nathan, putting on her best Disney princess face – all big eyes and trembling lips. She could probably teach a masterclass in emotional manipulation. “Please don’t be angry, she practically cooed, “I mean, Irene grew up working in fast food – of course she’d jump at any chance for a better life. Who could blame her, really?”

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