Genius Kids' Scheme Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire novel Chapter 84

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Genius Kids‘ Scheme: Claiming Daddy’s Billionaire Empire

Chapter 84

Joseph arrived at the hospital shortly after nine, worry lines etched fross his face despite his efforts to appear calm. As he approached Brandon’s room, he could already hear Rose’s voice carrying into the hallway.

“I just don’t get how she can be so heartless,” Rose was saying as Joseph entered. Her own brother’s having major surgery today, and she couldn’t even bother to show up.”

Rose glanced up when Joseph walked in, then immediately looked past him, checking if Irene had come along. When she saw he was alone, her expression darkened.

“So she’s really not coming, Rose sniffed, indignation coloring her vice. ‘I should’ve known. After everything we’ve done for her-

“Everything you’ve done for her?” Joseph couldn’t keep the edge from his voice. “And what exactly would that be, Rose?”

Rose faltered briefly before rallying. “We welcomed her back, didn’t we? After she embarrassed us with those children. And now when Brandon needs support, she’s nowhere to be found.”

Anna moved to Rose’s side and placed a comforting hand on her arm. It’s okay, Mother. Brandon has us here. That’s what matters.” Her voice dripped with sweet concern. “Some people just don’t understand what family really means.”

Rose brightened instantly at Anna’s support. “You’re absolutely right, darling. She’s always been like this–a white elephant in the family. We’ve given her everything, and she gives nothing back.”

“It’s black sheep,” Joseph corrected irritably. “And I suggest you find something more productive to talk about. This is a hospital, not a gossip column.”

Rose opened her mouth to argue, but Joseph’s stern glare silenced her. Instead, she busied herself straightening Brandon’s already perfect covers, muttering under her breath about ungrateful relations.

Brandon himself stayed quiet through this exchange, his expression unreadable as he stared at the ceiling. The pre–op meds had already made him drowsy, but his mind was still sharp enough to register the familiar family drama playing out around his bed.

At exactly ten o’clock, a team of nurses arrived to take Brandon to the operating room. Rose fussed over him until the last possible moment, pressing kisses to his forehead and promising to be waiting when he woke up.

“You’ll be fine,” Joseph said warmly, squeezing Brandon’s hand. “We’re all here for you. Stay strong.”

Brandon nodded gratefully, drawing comfort from his grandfather’s unwavering support. There was something solidly reassuring about Joseph’s presence that had always steadied him, even as a child.

Then the nurses were wheeling him away, and the last thing Brandon saw before the doors closed was his grandfather’s encouraging smile.

The operating room was blindingly bright after the dimness of the hallway. Brandon blinked against the harsh lights, his senses heightened by the combination of medication and nerves.

Dr. Joy was already there, fully dressed in surgical gear. The loose gown hid her form completely, her hair tucked away under a surgical cap. With mask covering the lower half of her face, only her eyes were visible–calm, focused, and strangely familiar.

Brandon stared at those eyes, trying to place where he’d seen them before. There was something in their shape, in the determined intelligence that shone from them, that nagged at his memory.

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Chapter 84

Dr. Joy noticed his scrutiny but gave no reaction beyond a brief professional nod. She moved efficiently around the room, giving quiet instructions to her team, checking equipment, and preparing for the procedure,

Only when the anesthesiologist approached with the medication did he finally speak to him directly.

“The surgery will take a while,” she said, her voice steady and reassuing through the mask. T’ll do my absolute best. Try not to

worry.

There was something about her voice–the specific way she formed certain words, the confidence that backed each syllable–that sent another jolt of recognition through Brandon. But before he could place it, the anesthesia began to take effect, pulling him down into darkness.

The last thing he saw was those eyes–professional, determined, and somehow achingly familiar–watching as he slipped under.

With Brandon fully anesthetized, Irene took a deep breath and centered herself. For a brief moment, the strange thought flashed through her mind that this was her brother lying on the table–a brother she barely knew, and who had no idea who was about to save his career. She pushed the thought away. Personal connections had no place in surgery.

“Ready?” Katherine asked softly beside her, reading the momentary hesitation in her friend’s eyes.

Irene nodded, slipping fully into Dr. Joy mode. “Scalpel.”

The instrument appeared in her hand as if by magic, Katherine’s timing perfect as always. The operating room fell silent as Irene made the first precise incision.

Three hours in, they hit the first major complication. Beneath the severely damaged tissue, Brandon’s leg revealed more extensive nerve damage than the scans had shown.

“Damn it,” Irene muttered, just loud enough for Katherine to hear. The damage was dangerously close to a major nerve cluster–one wrong move could permanently end Brandon’s racing career.

Katherine leaned in slightly. “Want to close and rethink the approach?”

“No.” Irene’s voice was quiet but firm. “We adjust.” Her mind was already recalculating, finding a new path through the damage. She’d seen worse, fixed worse. “I need the micro–tools.”

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