Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 177

Twilight cast long shadows across Emerald Garden Estate as Adam's car pulled up to Irene's house. Thomas hopped out to unfold the wheelchair before the front door burst open.

Three small blurs shot down the path, skidding to a halt at the sight of their mother and Adam arriving together.

"Mom's back!" Lily bounced on her toes, hair flying. "With Uncle Adam!"

Irene stepped out, the hospital drama with Rose instantly forgotten. "You three look ready to burst," she said. "What's going on?"

They exchanged glances that screamed conspiracy as Thomas helped Adam into his chair.

Lucas stepped forward, chest puffed out. "We got money!" He rocked on his heels. "And we wanna take you and Uncle Adam out for dinner. Our treat!"

His eyes darted to Alex, silently begging for backup. Alex nodded once, lips pressed tight to hold back a smile.

Irene connected the dots instantly. *Five hundred million dollars to "Ace."* She bit her lip. "That's... very generous."

Adam wheeled closer, brows knitting. "Money? From where?"

"Can't tell!" Lily's voice dripped mischief. "Super secret, Uncle Adam."

Alex stayed suspiciously quiet, studying his shoes while Lucas jumped in. "Just say yes. Please?"

Adam's eyes narrowed as he scanned their innocent faces. After a moment, his mouth quirked up. "If your mom's game, I'm in."

"She already said yes!" Lucas declared, though Irene hadn't said a word.

After the day she'd had, dinner with people who actually wanted her around sounded perfect. "Apparently I did," she said, ruffling Lucas's hair.

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The restaurant buzzed with just the right energy—nice without being fancy, lively without being loud. The sweet spot where a family could enjoy a meal without whispering or shouting.

Lucas twirled pasta and shoved it in his mouth. "This is crazy good."

"Chew first, talk second," Irene said automatically, her tone light.

Adam watched them, fork paused halfway to his mouth. The easy back-and-forth between Irene and her children pulled him in—the inside jokes, the looks that said everything without words, the casual touches that showed complete trust. He felt like both an outsider and somehow part of their circle.

Lily leaned across the table, eyes serious. "Uncle Adam, is your steak yummy?"

"Best I've had in ages," he answered truthfully, rewarded with her gap-toothed smile.

\---

After dinner, they spilled onto the sidewalk, bellies full and moods high. Thomas fell in behind Adam's chair while Irene walked alongside. The triplets bounced around them, racing ahead then looping back like they couldn't bear to stray too far.

"That fountain has fish in it!" Lily reported, pointing wildly before darting off again.

"Is your building taller than that one?" Lucas appeared at Adam's elbow, then vanished before getting a complete answer.

From across the street, they looked exactly like what they weren't—a family enjoying a perfect evening together. The thought should have made Irene tense, but somehow it didn't. Not anymore.

They rounded a corner and came upon an open plaza where a crowd had gathered. Teenagers on skateboards swooped and spun to music blasting from speakers, each trick more daring than the last.

Lucas stopped dead, mouth falling open. He stared at the skaters, completely transfixed.

"Mom?" He tugged her sleeve, eyes never leaving the action. "Can I try? Just once?"

Irene glanced over, eyes quickly scanning the scene. Unlike parents who defaulted to "no," she nodded without hesitation.

"Go for it. Just be careful and ask nicely to borrow a board."

Lucas's face lit up as he bolted toward the skaters, approaching them with a perfect blend of respect and eagerness.

"He's always had a thing for balance challenges," Irene said, watching him go. "Put that kid on anything with wheels and he's in heaven."

Adam watched Lucas approach the teenagers. "Kid's got guts," he said, a hint of approval in his voice.

The skaters—won over by Lucas's enthusiasm and manners—let him borrow a board. One teen even crouched down to give him a quick lesson, pointing to different parts of the board and showing foot positions.

Lucas stepped on, arms spread wide. His first attempt sent the board shooting out from under him, but he jumped back on without missing a beat. His face scrunched in concentration as the board wobbled beneath him.

"Here comes trouble," Irene murmured, fingers twisting together though she made no move to step in.

But something clicked for Lucas. His body found its center, his knees bent naturally, and suddenly he was gliding across the concrete like he belonged there. Within minutes, he was making turns, his entire being focused on each movement.

"Look at him go!" Irene's face lit up, worry replaced by pure delight. Her hands clapped together without her seeming to notice.

Adam found his attention split—half watching Lucas show surprising skill, half caught by the raw emotion on Irene's face. This version of her—guard down, eyes bright with pride—hit him in a way he hadn't expected.

"He's amazing," Irene said, her hand almost reaching for Adam's before catching herself. "I had no idea he could do that."

"Natural talent," Adam replied, his gaze lingering on her animated features rather than Lucas's performance.

The crowd's attention had shifted to the small boy navigating with unexpected grace. Alex and Lily jumped up and down at the edge.

"That's our brother!" Alex shouted, forgetting to be cool for once.

"Go Lucas!" Lily hollered, clapping wildly.

Lucas stayed locked in concentration, trying the same move over and over until he got it right. When he finally managed a small jump—nothing to a pro but impressive for a first-timer—the crowd broke into genuine applause.

Irene couldn't contain herself, clapping and beaming with joy. As Lucas returned the board with enthusiastic thanks, a middle-aged man followed him back.

"Sir, ma'am," he addressed them both with a nod, "your son has remarkable talent."

The triplets exchanged lightning-quick glances. Alex's eyebrows shot up meaningfully while Lily slapped a hand over her mouth to trap a giggle. Lucas stood taller, looking ridiculously pleased.

"I'm from the Regional Skateboard Association," the man continued. "We're always scouting young talent. Your boy has exceptional balance and instinct—things you can't teach."

"With proper training," he added, his enthusiasm building, "kids like him can go really far—national competitions, maybe even Olympic qualification someday. It's never too early to start developing natural ability like that."

Adam responded with surprising ease. "Thanks for the feedback. He's still young, and ultimately it's his decision. We'd need to discuss it first."

Irene froze, her mind racing. *He thinks we're both Lucas's parents. And Adam didn't correct him. Why didn't he correct him?* She snuck a glance at Adam, who looked completely unfazed by the misunderstanding.

The casual way he included himself in the family decision made Irene's pulse jump.

"Of course, absolutely," Ron nodded eagerly. "Could we exchange contact information? I really hope you'll consider it. Talent like his doesn't come along every day."

Adam turned to Irene, their eyes meeting in silent communication. Something flowed between them—an unspoken understanding that felt strangely right, as if they'd been making joint decisions about the children for years.

Irene felt an unexpected sense of comfort in this moment of pretend, and the realization caught her off guard. Somehow, playing along with this family charade felt more natural than it had any right to.

"We'll think about it," she finally said, her voice steady despite her inner confusion. The "we'll" hung in the air between them like a promise neither had intended to make, but neither rushed to take back.