Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 245: The Hero Moment

Irene leaned against the yacht's railing, salt breeze whipping her hair as they glided through crystal waters. She'd assumed they were heading to some resort, but as Thomas slowed the vessel toward a secluded cove, her jaw nearly dropped.

"Wait, where's the hotel?" she asked, squinting at the shoreline.

Adam's lips curved into that subtle smile that never appeared in boardrooms. "No hotel. Just us."

As they rounded the final bend, a stunning beach house came into view, its modern lines blending into the lush landscape. The upper deck faced the ocean, while a stretch of golden sand formed a private beach behind.

"That's... yours?" Irene blinked rapidly.

"Haven Enterprise keeps it for special occasions," Adam replied, though his tone made it clear this was hardly a corporate retreat.

The triplets had their faces practically glued to the windows. The moment the boat docked, they bolted like they'd been shot from cannons, their excited shrieks bouncing off the water.

Inside, huge windows showed off views that looked too perfect to be real. The kids raced to the glass, pressing their noses against it like puppies at a pet store window.

"Uncle Adam, can we hit the beach right now?" Lucas was already untying his shoes. "Please? I'm dying here!"

"Lunch first, beach after," Irene said, her mom-voice instantly working its magic.

Their faces crumpled before Alex piped up. "Fine, but when lunch is over, we're gone."

"One minute after the last bite!" Lily added, nodding so hard her ponytail whipped back and forth like a tiny flag in a storm.

After a quick seafood lunch, Lucas shot up like he'd sat on a spring. "Beach time! Last one there's a rotten egg!"

Irene corralled the kids to change, wrestling sunscreen onto three squirming bodies despite complaints they were "literally melting" with anticipation. Meanwhile, Thomas wheeled out what looked like a wheelchair on steroids—wide, reinforced wheels clearly designed for sand.

"All set," he told Adam. "Staff packed down a section of beach for easier navigation."

Outside, the afternoon sun turned everything golden. The triplets tore ahead, shrieking with joy as sand squeezed between their toes. Thomas set up a huge umbrella before joining the kids at the water's edge.

Irene dropped into a chair beneath the shade, tugging at her one-piece swimsuit. Adam positioned his beach wheelchair nearby, watching the kids splash around like tiny dolphins.

"Sunscreen?" Irene offered, holding up the bottle after finishing her own application.

Adam raised an eyebrow. "I don't exactly hit the beach often."

"It's not rocket science," Irene laughed. "Just slap it on everywhere that'll see sun."

"In that case..." Adam extended his arm toward her, "mind giving me a hand?"

She took his arm, her fingers connecting with warm skin that felt totally different from their regular therapy sessions. Working the cream up his forearm, she noticed how his skin contrasted with hers—what happens when you spend your days in offices instead of outdoors. His muscles felt firm under her touch, clearly he didn't skip his workouts. This scary-powerful businessman suddenly felt so human beneath her fingers—warm and real.

Realizing her hand had lingered way too long on his shoulder, Irene yanked back, heat crawling up her neck.

"You did that on purpose," she muttered, refusing to meet his eyes.

"Did what?" Adam's face was innocent, but his eyes danced.

"Nothing. Do the rest yourself." She shoved the bottle at him and escaped toward the shoreline, pretending not to notice his smirk.

After an hour of splashing around, Alex trudged back to the umbrella, dripping everywhere.

"Uncle Adam, you gotta play volleyball with us," he said, pushing his glasses up his nose with a wet finger. "We brought a ball and everything."

Lucas appeared at his brother's side. "Mom can be on your team. For fairness."

"Yeah, you guys can be partners!" Lily giggled behind her hand, all subtlety of a foghorn.

Adam's face softened. "I'm in."

Thomas maneuvered Adam's beach wheelchair to a flattened section of sand. The triplets lined up on one side of a line drawn with a stick, while Adam and Irene took position opposite.

The game began, and within minutes was in full swing. Lucas moved like he had springs in his feet, diving for difficult shots. Alex stayed strategically positioned, while Lily darted around with surprising agility.

On the other side, Irene was everywhere at once. She repeatedly jumped in front of Adam, reaching for balls he could easily have returned. Red marks bloomed on her arms from constant contact, but she kept positioning herself like a human shield.

After watching this for several volleys, Adam's amusement faded. "I can catch the ball myself. You don't need to play goalie."

The triplets seized the moment like sharks spotting blood.

"Mom's babying Uncle Adam!" Lucas called out, tucking the ball under his arm.

"Yeah, what's that about?" Lily added with a giggle that was pure mischief.

"He's in a wheelchair, Mom, not made of glass," Alex observed, his eyes missing absolutely nothing.

Irene's cheeks flamed. She'd been running on pure instinct—the same protective reflex that kicked in whenever her kids faced potential danger. But Adam clearly didn't appreciate being treated like he might break.

"Fine," she pushed her hair back, trying to play it cool. "Handle your own balls."

The moment the words left her mouth, she realized how it sounded. The triplets erupted in giggles while Adam's eyebrows shot up, amusement dancing across his features.

"I mean—the volleyball—just play your position," she stammered, face burning hotter.

The game resumed with a new dynamic. Adam began actively participating, returning shots with surprising power. Though limited in movement, his upper body strength more than compensated. They fell into a rhythm—Irene covering the front court while Adam handled what he could reach.

The game-changing moment came when Lucas sent a tricky shot arcing between Adam and Irene. The ball seemed destined to hit sand in the gap between them—until Adam suddenly gripped his wheelchair armrests and pushed himself upright, extending just enough to tap the ball back over.

Everyone froze. The only sound was waves lapping at the shore.

"Uncle Adam, you stood up!" Lily's mouth hung open.

Adam settled back down, his smile understated but pleased. "Just for a second."

Irene didn't share the kids' shock. Her eyes met Adam's in a moment of shared understanding. She'd been tracking his progress for weeks—knew exactly what he was capable of.

The game continued until everyone was happily exhausted. The triplets couldn't stop talking about Adam's save.

"That was sick!" Lucas exclaimed. "Just—bam!—up on your feet!"

"Like a real superhero!" Lily agreed.

Later, Irene set up the treatment equipment in the room Adam had arranged for their sessions. While the triplets were occupied with books and games, she began his daily neural stimulation treatment.

"The kids loved seeing your progress," Irene said, adjusting an electrode. "Their faces were priceless."

Adam nodded. "Better than I expected. Especially Lily—lit up like Christmas morning."

"You're getting better faster than I expected," Irene said, checking the screen. "Time to step it up."

With her help, Adam stood again, steadier than at the beach, staying up longer while she took notes. Her face showed the focus of a doctor, but there was something more—she cared about his success in a way that went way beyond just being his doctor.

As he settled back, they planned the evening beach walk with the kids.

"You know what I'm thinking about?" Adam said suddenly, his voice lower than usual. "The first thing I want to do when I can really walk again."

He stopped, looking straight into her eyes with such intensity that Irene could practically feel it on her skin.

"What's that?" she asked, her hand going still, her heart skipping a beat as she waited.