Genius Kids' Scheme Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81

*Brandon, you’ve been away so long, you have no idea what’s happened. Rose’s voice had that particular pitch that always preceded a lengthy complaint. She leaned closer to her son’s hospital bed, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “You need to see the truth about that girl. Don’t let Irene fool you like she’s fooled your grandfather!”

Brandon stared at the ceiling, his expression carefully neutral despite the pounding headache building behind his eyes. The hospital room felt suffocatingly small with his entire family packed inside it his mother’s perfume mingling with his father’s cologne and the antiseptic hospital smell creating a nauseating cocktail.

“What exactly did she do?” he finally asked, more to break the tension than from any real interest. Brandon had been gone so long that family politics felt like a soap opera he’d stopped watching year ago.

Rose practically pounced on the question. “Everything! Claiming shares she doesn’t deserve, manipulating your grandfather, abandoning the family-

“She had three children out of wedlock,” Anna added primly from her corner, her voice carrying that perfect blend of concern and disapproval. ‘Refused to name the father. Such a scandal.”

Brandon’s eyebrow lifted slightly. Whatever he’d expected, it wasn’t that. Joseph had already left with Irene earlier, but the old man’s continued support of her spoke volumes. His grandfather had always been the wisest of them all – if he stood by Irene so firmly despite everything Rose claimed, there had to be more to the story.

“Hmm, was all Brandon offered in response, turning his attention back to the ceiling.

“You need to watch out for her,” Rose continued, her voice dropping dramatically. “She’s just waiting to use you to get more shares. Why else would she suddenly care about a brother she’s barely even met?”

Nathan, who had been silently checking his phone by the door, looked up with a frown. “Mother, that’s enough. Brandon needs rest, not family gossip.”

“This isn’t gossip!” Rose’s voice climbed several decibels. “He needs to know what she’s really like! That white elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about!”

“I think you mean ‘black sheep,” Brandon corrected mildly, biting back a smile as Rose’s face flushed with indignation.

“Whatever!” she snapped. “The point is, your sister Irene is nothing but trouble. Anna, on the other hand- she gestured proudly toward her adopted daughter, “-has offered to stay overnight and help care for you. Now that’s what family is about!”

Brandon glanced at Anna’s perfectly composed face, noting the calculated warmth in her smile. Everything about her screamed “performing” – from her precisely arranged expression of concern to her strategically chosen outfit that somehow managed to be both appropriate for a hospital visit yet flattering enough for an impromptu photo opportunity.

His gaze drifted to the window where Joseph had stood before leaving with Irene. The old man’s absence was telling in itself. Interesting. There was definitely more going on here than his mother’s simplistic version of events.

‘Dr. Joy says I need rest,” Brandon said finally, deliberately invoking the name of the specialist who’d examined him that morning.

“Well, I think it’s wonderful you found someone who can help,” Anna said, her voice honey–sweet. “When I saw your legs, I was so worried. I’ve been praying for a miracle.”

Brandon resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The woman had seen him exactly once in the past three years, yet here she was playing the devoted sister role to perfection.

The real miracle would be getting some peace and quiet,” he muttered.

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Chapter 81

“See how cranky he is? Rose fussed, straightening his already–straight blanket. “Everyone, let’s keep it down. He needs his rest.”

thank

As his family finally settled into a slightly more bearable level of nose, Brandon’s mind circled back to Dr. Joy and the strange sense of familiarity he’d felt during her examination. The way she’d boken, moved, analyzed it had triggered something in his memory that he couldn’t quite place until Irene had appeared briefly at the door, delivering the same withering glare when his mother’s voice had risen too high.

The similarities were subtle but unmistakable – the tilt of the head when considering a response, the precise economy of movement, the no–nonsense tone when setting boundaries. Could they possibly be the same person? But why would Irene hide behind another identity? And how had she managed to become such a renowned specialist without the family knowing?

Meanwhile, as the cab pulled away from the hospital, Joseph’s lined face was creased with worry. “You shouldn’t let her get to you, Irene,” he said softly, patting her hand where it rested on her knee.

Irene laughed, the sound genuinely light and unconcerned. “Trust me, I don’t. Brandon’s treatment? They couldn’t afford me if they tried. I’m only doing this for you, Grandfather. Otherwise, I wouldn’t waste my time.”

The sight of Emerald Garden Estate’s elegant entrance appeared ahead, the security guard recognizing them immediately and opening the gate with a friendly wave. The cab dropped them off at their villa, and Irene carefully helped Joseph from the car.

“Careful on the steps,” she said, supporting his arm with practiced ease as they made their way to the front entrance.

Joseph’s eyes crinkled with warmth as he looked at his granddaughter. “My precious girl,” he said fondly. “Always so levelheaded. Never stooping to their level.”

Once inside, Irene helped Joseph settle onto the comfortable living room sofa, adjusting he liked it.

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small pillow behind his back exactly how

“What are Brandon’s chances?” Joseph asked quietly, the concern in his voice impossible

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