Genius Kids' Scheme Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Rose’s perfectly manicured hang shook slightly as she gripped her designer purse, still reeling from Irene’s earlier threat. The tension in the ward could have been cut with a knife. Everyone kept neaking glances at frene, who stood by her grandfather’s bedside like an avenging angel in designer heels, her three children dustered protectively around her.

“You have no right to be here,” Rose finally spat out, her voice trembling with barely contained fury. This is a family matter!

Irene didn’t even bother looking up from checking Joseph’s vital sign. “Funny. I don’t recall anyone asking for your opinion on who gets to stay with my grandfather.”

“How dare you!” John’s face turned an interesting shade of purple. “show some respect when speaking to your mother!”

“Mother?” Irene’s laugh could have frozen hell itself. “I think you’re confused. My mother was a fast–food worker who at least had the decency to admit when she didn’t want me anymore. Unlike some people who keep playing family when it’s convenient.”

Nathan stepped forward, his CEO mask cracking slightly. “Irene! That’s enough!”

“You’re right that is enough.” Irene’s eyes finally left Joseph’s sleeping face, fixing Nathan with a look that could have melted steel. “Enough pretending we’re family. Enough acting like you have any right to tell me what to do. You want to know something funny? I spent years wishing I had siblings who’d care about me. What a waste of time that was.”

Anna chose that moment to try her usual manipulation tactics. Tears welled up in her perfectly made–up eyes as she wrung her bands dramatically.

“Irene, please,” she practically whimpered, “you shouldn’t speak to them like this. They’re still your parents, your brother! I know you hate me for taking your place, for causing Grandfather’s fall, but they’re not to blame!”

Rose immediately pulled Anna close, stroking her hair with theatrical concern. “My poor darling! If only you were really mine… No daughter of mine would ever behave like some people.”

Irene’s lip curled in disgust. “Quite a performance. Did you practice that in front of a mirror, or does it just come naturally now?”

“You-” Anna started, but Alex’s clear young voice cut through the tension like a knife.

“Respect goes both ways.” All eyes turned to the five–year–old, who stood straight and tall despite his tiny stature. His phoenix eyes

so like his unknown father’s – blazed with righteous indignation. “You can’t demand courtesy while treating my mom like dirt.”

Lucas immediately jumped to his brother’s defense. “Yeah! There’s like five of you ganging up on our mom. How’s that fair?” His cherubic face was scrunched up in adorable fury. “And you call yourselves grown–ups?”

“That’s right!” Lily’s voice piped up, her dark curls bouncing as she nodded vigorously. “You’re all meanies!”

Rose’s face contorted with rage as she jabbed a finger at the children “You little bastards! How dare you speak to me like that! I’m your grandmother, for God’s sake!” Her voice rose to a shriek. “This is exactly what happens when you’re raised by fast–food workers

no manners, no breeding, absolutely no class!”

The air in the room crystallized, sharp enough to draw blood.

“What. Did. You. Just. Call. My. Children?” Each word fell from Irene’s lips like chips of ice. The professional doctor mask shattered completely as maternal fury blazed in her eyes.

The raw violence in her voice made Rose stumble backward. Nathan quickly stepped between them, but even he flinched at the look

on Irene’s face.

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Chapter 39

You want to talk about breeding?” Irene’s voice was deadly soft. Le talk about a woman who could say such things to Innocent children. Let’s discuss what kind of breeding it takes to call your own grandchildren bastards. Iter smile was all teeth. Or should we talk about your precious Anna instead? Twenty years of the finest education money could buy, and what did it get you? A social- climbing snake who’d hurt an old man just to keep her spot in the family?

“Now wait just a minute-” Nathan started, but Irene steamrolled righ over him.

“No, YOU wait.” Her voice cracked like a whip. “You all lost the right to demand anything from me five years ago. The only person in this room 1 answer to is lying in that bed because YOUR perfect daughter couldn’t keep her hands to herself!”

A knock at the door interrupted whatever Nathan was about to say. Everyone turned to find Richard Vein hovering in the doorway, perfectly styled hair and designer suit screaming “trying too hard.”

“I heard about Mr. Sterling’s accident,” he said smoothly, his eyes linering on Irene with poorly concealed interest. “I came to see if there’s anything I can do to help.” When Irene continued checking Joseph’s vitals without so much as a glance his way, he pressed on. “The Vein family has access to the best medical resources. If you need any specialists…”

“Richard!” Anna materialized at his side, her earlier tears mysteriously vanished. “How thoughtful of you to come!”

Richard barely acknowledged her, his attention fixed on Irene as he made another attempt. “And these must be your children. They’re absolutely adorable – they have your grace, your bearing…” His voice trailed off awkwardly as neither Irene nor the triplets showed any sign they’d heard him.

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