Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 256: Busy Preparations

"What about chocolate cake?" Lucas's voice carried through the open window.

"Mom doesn't even like chocolate that much," Alex countered, pushing his glasses up with one finger.

"But everyone likes chocolate!" Lucas threw his hands up like this was the most obvious fact in the universe.

Lily shook her head firmly. "Strawberry. It has to be strawberry."

The triplets' heated debate floated into the living room where Brandon was scrolling through his phone. His head snapped up like a dog hearing the word "treat."

Within seconds, he was zooming his wheelchair across the patio, skidding to a stop beside the garden table. "Hold up—did someone say cake? What's happening?"

"Mom's birthday!" Lily bounced on her toes. "We're planning!"

Brandon's face lit up. "Seriously? Well, why didn't anyone tell me?" He poured himself tea, gulping it down with excitement. "We're gonna do this right! First birthday with actual family—gotta make it count!"

Adam, who'd been pretending to work on his laptop nearby, looked up. "We should make it special."

The whole group turned to Irene, who'd been quietly enjoying the show from her garden chair.

Lily sidled up, eyes wide. "So, Mom... strawberry cake? Yes?"

Everyone stared at her like she was about to announce the winning lottery numbers.

Irene laughed, running her fingers through Lily's hair. "Nice try. You're the strawberry fanatic in this house." She shook her head, watching her family plot and scheme. Since when had her birthday become such a production? Back in the day, she'd been lucky to get a hastily purchased cupcake with a candle stuck in it.

The conversation shifted to ice cream flavors as Brandon launched into a passionate defense of mint chocolate chip. Irene checked her watch and stood up. "Time for your treatment," she reminded Adam, who nodded and followed her inside.

In the quiet of Adam's room, Irene knelt beside his wheelchair, attaching small pads to his legs. The machine nearby made soft beeping sounds as she adjusted the settings.

"How'd you celebrate before?" Adam asked, watching her work. "Your birthdays, I mean."

Her hands paused for just a second. "In R Country? Just me and the kids. Pizza if we were feeling fancy." She twisted a dial, not looking up. "Before that, when I lived with the Claires... Ethan would smuggle in these chocolate cookies with sprinkles. We'd sneak out at midnight and sit on the back steps, sharing them in the dark."

Her voice softened at the memory. "We'd whisper happy birthday songs, terrified we'd wake someone up. It wasn't much, but..."

"It mattered," Adam finished for her, something shifting behind his eyes.

Irene nodded, finally glancing up to meet his gaze. "It did."

The soft whirring of the machine filled the silence between them as they both got lost in their thoughts.

The kitchen erupted with chaos the next morning as pans clattered and cabinets slammed. By the time Irene stumbled downstairs, the dining table looked like a battlefield where breakfast had won—slightly charred toast, runny eggs, and juice in fancy glasses that normally never left the cabinet.

"Morning, sunshine!" Brandon raised his milk glass like he was toasting royalty. When he lowered it, a perfect white mustache lined his upper lip.

He couldn't remember feeling this content in ages. Grandfather improving, Irene not running herself ragged, and even Adam—sitting quietly at the end of the table—looked almost human today.

Lucas pointed at Brandon's face. "Dude! You look like Santa's younger brother with that milk 'stache!"

"He looks ancient, even older than Great-grandfather," Alex deadpanned, sliding a piece of toast toward Irene. "Here, Mom. We made it special."

Irene took a bite and somehow kept a straight face despite the burnt corner. "Delicious," she mumbled through her mouthful, giving them a thumbs up. With Joseph and her kids safe and happy around her, a little burnt toast was nothing.

Brandon wiped his mouth, looking wounded. "Wait—manly or ancient? Pick a lane, kids!" He pointed at Alex accusingly. "And what's with the 'older than Great-grandfather' comment? That's just harsh."

Joseph glanced up, eyebrow arched. "Implying I'm ancient, are we?"

"No! God no!" Brandon backpedaled so fast he nearly fell out of his wheelchair. "That's not—I didn't—"

The table erupted in laughter. Even Wesley's mouth twitched at the corners.

Adam sat quietly, taking it all in. The easy banter, the laughter, the burnt toast eaten with genuine appreciation—none of this existed at Haven Mansion. There, breakfast was a military operation of perfect food and calculated conversation. This chaos felt... real.

As breakfast wrapped up, Brandon snapped his fingers. "Wait a minute—your birthday's like, what, three days away? We need decorations, stat!"

"Yes!" the triplets chimed in unison, like a tiny chorus.

They exchanged looks that said everything without words: this was their first real family birthday with both Mom *and* Dad present. It had to be epic.

"Operation Birthday begins now!" Brandon declared, already wheeling toward the storage room where he'd stashed the supplies Henry had bought days ago.

Minutes passed as everyone scattered to different tasks. The living room became decoration central, with furniture pushed aside to make space. Alex balanced precariously on a stepstool, holding one end of a glittery banner.

"Higher?" he called to Brandon. "This good?"

Lucas positioned the other end, stretching on tiptoes. "How about now?"

From his wheelchair command center, Brandon directed traffic. "Lucas, up a bit more... perfect!" Despite his enthusiasm, frustration flickered across his face at being stuck giving orders instead of helping. *Stupid legs picking the worst time to quit on me*.

"Need some input?"

Everyone turned to find Adam in the doorway, holding several sketched designs. He handed one to Brandon. "This arrangement works better."

Brandon's jaw dropped slightly. "Since when are you the party planning guru?"

The corner of Adam's mouth twitched. "Haven hosts events constantly. I know what works." He passed more sketches to the kids. "Each room can have its own theme."

"This is awesome!" Lily clutched her paper like it was made of gold.

Alex studied the drawings, impressed despite himself. "You thought of everything. Even the viewing angles."

With Adam's designs guiding them, the decorating shifted from chaotic to efficient, revealing just how seriously he was taking this celebration.

From her perch on the stairs, Irene watched the entire production with bemused wonder. She'd never expected such enthusiasm for a day she typically let pass without mention. But seeing everyone so invested made something warm unfurl in her chest.

The afternoon slipped away as they worked. Hours later, the house had transformed. Streamers hung from ceiling fixtures, balloons clustered in corners, and a giant inflatable sign shouted "Happy Birthday Irene Sterling" in letters that practically vibrated with cheer. Every space featured tasteful touches—even the bathroom mirror wore tiny celebratory stickers.

As darkness fell, the exhausted crew dispersed to their rooms. Adam lingered in the living room, surveying their handiwork. He pulled out his phone, firing off a quick text to Thomas: "Status update on the special order?"

His phone buzzed immediately: "On track. Delivery confirmed for the morning of."

Adam slipped his phone away, satisfaction settling over him. Just a few more days. His recovery was going better than expected—each night, he could stand longer without support when no one was watching.

He glanced once more around the decorated room. His gift for Irene was still on track - just a few more days until the delivery. He hoped she'd like it.

Watching her family's excitement over the decorations, Adam realized how much these small moments of happiness meant to her. That was something worth being part of.