Genius Kids' Scheme Claiming Daddy's Billionaire Empire novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178

Sunset glinted off the water as they settled into their seats at an upscale waterfront restaurant. The triplets pressed their faces to the window, gawking at the panoramic view.

“Whoa, this place is insane!” Lucas whispered, eyeing the crystal glasses.

Thomas smirked. “Prime real estate. Fireworks without beach sand in uncomfortable places.”

Adam wheeled to the table with a nod. Irene sank into her chair, relieved to avoid pushing a wheelchair through beach crowds.

“Remember those sad fireworks in R Country?” Alex snorted. “Like, three tiny pops and everyone went home.”

“Trust me, these are next level,” Thomas promised.

Lily kicked her feet. “I want sparkly ones! And the ones that look like flowers!”

The server swung by with menus. Irene noticed how effortlessly Adam commanded the room without trying.

Her phone buzzed with a text from Matthew about their patient. As she typed back, she felt eyes on her.

“Problem?” Adam asked, voice low.

“Patient’s fine. Just follow–up.”

Something flickered across his face before their appetizers arrived.

They’d just finished dinner when a sharp whistle cut through the air. A heartbeat later–BOOM!-the sky erupted in blue and gold.

“It’s starting!” Lily abandoned her dessert and bolted for the windows.

Her brothers followed instantly, hands pressed against the glass.

The restaurant lights dimmed as the swoosh–bang of fireworks picked up tempo. Cheers floated up from the beach below.

Adam wheeled closer. “Better view from here.”

Irene moved beside him, their shoulders almost touching. Something electric zipped through her.

Adam reached for a colorful mocktail and handed it to her. “Try this. Chef claims everything tastes better during fireworks.”

Their fingers brushed during the handoff. Both froze for a split second,

Gold and red exploded overhead, showering the bay with light.

“Wow, Irene breathed, losing her doctor poker face.

Adam’s eyes shifted from the sky to her face. The wonder in her expression grabbed him more than any firework could.

He caught Lily flashing Lucas a thumbs–up. Subtle as a sledgehammer, these kids, but he couldn’t bring

If to mind.

Another burst lit up the night as Adam’s thoughts drifted. His entire life had been programmed like software–advanced courses, business degrees, straight into Haven Enterprises. Success had come right on schedule.

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Chapter 178

Yet watching fireworks with Irene and these kids hit differently than anything his corner office or investment portfolio ever could.

The colored lights played across their faces. Irene’s usual guard–up expression softened. The kids bounced with each explosion. Even Thomas looked human for once Adam realized how rarely he saw genuine happiness in his day–to–day world. Everyone wore masks -business partners, employees, family.

His eyes found Irene again. Fireworks reflected in her eyes like tiny universes. Her smile–the real one he rarely saw–made his chest

tighten.

This moment–this accidental family unit enjoying something so basic as fireworks–felt more like home than anywhere he’d lived.

The finale lit up the sky thirty minutes later. As the last boom faded, Lily deployed her ultimate weapon–puppy eyes cranked to

maximum.

“Mom, beach time. Please?”

Alex and Lucas immediately flanked her, tripling the attack power.

Irene checked her watch. “Fine. Crowd’s thinning anyway.”

Thomas jumped up. “I’ll handle the mini–mob.” He shot Adam a wink before herding the kids toward the elevator.

Outside, salt air whipped their faces. Adam’s wheelchair rolled fine on the boardwalk but stopped dead where wood met sand. He parked at the boundary, watching the kids chase waves while Thomas kept watch.

Irene stood beside him, throwing occasional glances his way. When the sea breeze picked up, she silently unfolded her wrap and laid it across his legs.

“Gets cold when the sun’s gone,” she said simply.

Adam stared at the fabric. Something caught in his throat. His legs felt next to nothing, but the gesture hit somewhere deeper.

After a beat, he looked up. “Thanks.”

Irene nodded. She stayed beside his chair, close enough that their arms brushed when she shifted.

A sudden commotion broke their bubble–kids chasing each other across the sand. Irene had just checked on the triplets when she heard a sharp thurk behind her.

She spun to see a boy colliding with Adam’s wheelchair, the impact tipping it forward. The kid bounced off and bolted as Adam pitched forward, his body following the chair’s momentum.

“Adam!” She lunged forward on instinct.

She caught him, but his weight and the angle were all wrong. Her feet slipped in the sand as she tried to brace herself. For one suspended second, she thought she might save them both–then gravity took over.

They crashed down together, Irene twisting to take the brunt. Her back hit sand with a soft thud, Adam’s weight driving her deeper.

The world narrowed to just them, tangled on the beach.

Irene’s lips somehow landed directly against his throat, right at his Adam’s apple. She felt it bob as he showed hard, his skin warm against her mouth.

Adam’s breathing stopped cold. The feeling of her lips against his most vulnerable spot sent a jolt straight through him.

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Chapter 178

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