Genius Kids' Scheme: Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire Chapter 69: Just Like Family

"Time for a photo!" Lucas bounced with excitement, coming to Irene for the camera. "Everyone get together!"

Thomas couldn't help grinning at their enthusiasm. "Easy there, tiny photographers! Give me some time to adjust the camera."

The triplets were already in full event-planning mode, directing people with the authority of tiny wedding planners. Alex positioned himself by Adam's wheelchair while Lily tugged at her mother's sleeve.

"Mom, you stand right here," she instructed, physically maneuvering Irene next to Adam's chair. "And Great-grandfather, you go on Mom's other side!"

Joseph chuckled warmly as he took his assigned position. "Quite the little directors we've got here."

The children arranged themselves in front of the adults with practiced coordination, their matching grins bright as sunshine. Thomas adjusted his phone's settings, tongue poking out in concentration.

"Okay, everyone say 'cheese' on three!" he called out. "One... two..."

"Wait!" Lily suddenly shouted, darting forward to adjust Adam's collar with surprising gentleness. "There. Perfect!"

The moment Thomas started counting again, three pairs of small arms shot into the air, accompanied by enthusiastic shouts of "Cheese!" that probably startled half the theme park.

"Got it!" Thomas announced triumphantly. "Want to see?"

The triplets swarmed him instantly, their excited chatter filling the air as they crowded around the phone screen.

"We need to print this right now!" Lucas declared, already tugging Thomas toward the nearby photo kiosk. "Come on, Thomas Uncle!"

Irene watched them go, unable to suppress a fond smile. It had been ages since she'd seen them this animated. The whole day felt surreal – like some alternate universe where normal family outings were just part of their routine.

When Thomas returned with the printed photos, the kids practically pounced on them, passing the pictures around with obvious delight. Their faces glowed with a joy that made Irene's heart squeeze.

What she couldn't see was the silent victory celebration happening between them as they studied the image. There they all were – Mom and Dad together, the three of them in front, Great-grandfather completing the picture. Their very first proper family photo.

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The restaurant they chose for dinner had a cozy atmosphere that perfectly matched their relaxed mood. The triplets regaled everyone with their version of the haunted house adventure, complete with dramatic reenactments that had the nearby tables hiding smiles behind their menus.

"And then Mom was like—" Lucas demonstrated an exaggerated scared face that earned him a gentle swat from his mother.

"I think that's quite enough storytelling for one day," Irene said primly, though her eyes sparkled with amusement.

As the meal progressed, the children's endless energy finally began to fade. Their animated chatter grew quieter, replaced by sleepy yawns they tried valiantly to hide.

The drive home was peaceful, broken only by the soft sound of steady breathing as the kids surrendered to exhaustion one by one. Alex and Lucas ended up nestled against their mother, while Lily had somehow migrated to Adam's side, her small body curled trustingly against him.

Adam found himself holding perfectly still, watching her peaceful face in the passing streetlights. Her complete trust in him created an unfamiliar warmth in his chest. When the car hit a slight bump, he automatically steadied her, his hand gentle against her shoulder to keep her from sliding.

Irene caught this protective gesture from the corner of her eye, something soft and undefined flickering through her chest at the sight.

By the time they pulled up to the Emerald Garden Estate, all three children were deep in dreamland. Irene helped Joseph out of the car while Thomas assisted Adam into his wheelchair.

"We'll help get the children inside," Adam said quietly, his voice pitched low to avoid disturbing their sleep. "Thomas, make sure they don't wake up during the transfer."

The bodyguards moved with impressive efficiency, carrying each child with extreme care. Irene followed them up to the bedroom, her heart melting at the sight of their peaceful faces. Red-cheeked from the day's excitement, they looked like little angels, their peaceful expressions melting her heart.

Once they were safely tucked in, she sat on the edge of the bed, unable to resist running her fingers through Alex's hair. Their faces held such contentment, small smiles playing at their lips even in sleep. Whatever dreams they were having, they must have been good ones.

She pressed a gentle kiss to each forehead before carefully adjusting their blankets one final time. The soft nightlight cast a gentle glow across their sleeping forms as she tiptoed out, closing the door with utmost care.

Downstairs, she found Joseph looking thoroughly worn out but happy. Without a word, she knelt beside his chair and began massaging his tired legs with practiced movements.

"I'll prepare your therapeutic bath soon," she said softly. "You'll sleep like a baby tonight."

Joseph's weathered face creased with a warm smile. "Don't fuss so much. I had a wonderful time watching the little ones enjoy themselves." His eyes took on a thoughtful gleam. "They were especially lively today. Perhaps because Adam was there – you all looked just like a proper family of five."

Irene's hands stilled for a moment. "They probably just invited him because they were bored," she said lightly, resuming the massage. "You know how they get when they're stuck at home too long."

Joseph watched her carefully neutral expression, years of unspoken thoughts weighing heavy in his mind. The image of them all together – Irene and Adam, the three children between them – had stirred something in his heart. Especially during that photo session, seeing them arranged so naturally together, he couldn't help but imagine...

But no. Perhaps he was letting his hopes run away with him. He so desperately wanted to see his granddaughter find happiness, someone strong and reliable to share her burdens. After everything that had happened back then...

He shook his head slightly, pushing away old regrets. "You're probably right," he said instead, patting her hand gently. "Don't stay up too late with Adam's treatment. You've had a long day too."

"I'm fine," Irene assured him, her movements never faltering. "Once I get you both settled, I'll take a nice hot bath and turn in."

As she continued working on Joseph's tired muscles, her mind drifted back to the day's events – the haunted house, the way Adam's hand had felt around hers, how naturally the children had taken to him. For just a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what it might be like if...

She cut that thought off firmly. This was reality, not some romance novel. She had her hands full being both mother and father to three precocious children while managing her medical practice. There was no room for complications, no matter how warm Adam's eyes got when he watched the kids, or how safe his presence made her feel.

Besides, she thought with a slight shake of her head, she had more immediate concerns – like Brandon's upcoming surgery and maintaining her cover as Dr. Joy. Romance was the last thing she needed to add to that mix.

Still, as she finished up Joseph's massage and prepared for Adam's treatment, she couldn't quite shake the image of them all together, looking for all the world like a real family. Maybe her grandfather wasn't entirely wrong about how natural it had felt.

But that was a dangerous path to go down, she reminded herself firmly. Better to focus on what was real – her children, her practice, her responsibilities. Everything else was just... wishful thinking.