Chapter 54 Chapter 54
At the university, Iris checked her phone between classes, heartened by the photos her mother had sent. There was Bryce, animated as always, showing something on his phone to Jakob and Nikolaus. Victor, surprisingly relaxed, was deep in conversation with the twins. And Theodore, composed but clearly engaged, was speaking with her parents. The worlds she had thought would remain painfully separate were overlapping with unexpected ease.
"Those your brothers?" Tony asked, appearing at her side with perfect timing. He'd developed an uncanny ability to find her between classes, navigating the campus with efficient precision to maximise their time together.
Iris nodded, tilting the screen so he could see better. "All of them. The Lawsons went to visit the Maxwells this morning." She shook her head in wonder. "I never expected this, them reaching out to each other without me there."
Tony studied the photos, noting the genuine engagement visible even in still images. "It's a good sign," he observed. "They're making an effort to connect for your sake."
Across campus, whispers followed them as they walked to the café for lunch. The Lawson statement had been picked up by national news outlets, transforming Iris's story from campus gossip to headline news. Security personnel maintained a discreet perimeter, their presence a reminder of how dramatically her circumstances had changed overnight.
"Kennedy! Maxwell!" A voice called from behind them. Professor Hargrove from the business department approached, his expression a carefully constructed mask of collegiality. "Or should I say Lawson?" he added, looking directly at Iris.
Tony stiffened beside her, his protective instincts flaring. Professor Hargrove was known to be close with the Kennedy family, particularly Helga, who had endowed his department's research.
Iris spoke first, “I’m still working that out, but for now, Maxwell was just fine. What can we help you with, sir?” As her hand found Tony’s.
Professor Hargrove's smile tightened at Iris's calm response. He had expected her to be flustered, perhaps even intimidated by his sudden appearance, but the quiet confidence in her voice caught him off guard.
"I was hoping to discuss a potential guest lecture opportunity," he said, his gaze flicking between Iris and Tony. "The business department would be honoured to have a Lawson speak to our entrepreneurship seminar. Given your design background and newly discovered heritage, you'd offer a unique perspective."
Tony recognised the maneuver for what it was, an attempt to establish a connection that could be leveraged later. Professor Hargrove hadn't shown the slightest interest in Iris or her work before today's revelation.
"That's very kind," Iris replied diplomatically, "but I'm focusing on my design studies at the moment. Perhaps next semester, when things have settled."
Disappointment flickered across Hargrove's face before he masked it with professional courtesy. "Of course, of course. The timing must be overwhelming. Please, keep my card." He pressed a business card into Iris's hand. "And do give my regards to your father. Richard and I served on the alumni board together some years ago."
As Hargrove walked away, Tony exhaled slowly. "That was the first of many, I'm afraid. Everyone with even the most tenuous connection to the Lawsons will suddenly remember it."
Iris slipped the card into her pocket, her analytical mind already categorising this interaction as the opening salvo in what would likely be an ongoing barrage. "At least he was relatively subtle. I expected worse."
"The day is young," Tony replied with grim humour, guiding her toward the café with a protective hand at the small of her back.
In the Maxwell kitchen, the conversation had shifted to practical matters regarding the weekend visit. Theodore was explaining the security arrangements with characteristic thoroughness while Leo and Carol listened with a mixture of bewilderment and resignation.
"We'll have a car service bring you to the estate Friday evening," Theodore explained. "The media interest is... significant. We'd prefer to avoid having reporters follow you or camp outside your home."
Leo nodded, the reality of their new situation sinking in more deeply. His daughter's story had become public property overnight, and by extension, so had aspects of their family's privacy.
"Will there be reporters at the estate?" he asked, his protective instincts extending to his sons, who had never experienced this kind of scrutiny.
"The property is secure," Victor assured him. "Twenty acres with perimeter monitoring. The press won't be able to access the grounds."
Carol's teacher's mind was already planning what the boys would need for the weekend. "Should we pack anything special? I don't want them to feel out of place."
A flash of understanding crossed Theodore's face as he recognised the underlying concern in Carol's question, the fear that her sons might feel inferior or uncomfortable amid the Lawsons' wealth.
"Just comfortable clothes," he said, gazing at the boys, “we may be from a wealthy family, but we don’t dress in suits all the time. When we’re home usually its just jeans and a shirt for me, same with Victor, however, Bryce is usually by the pool in board shorts, beyond the legacy we’re just a normal family. Or if your family would prefer, we could have the staff purchase them some new clothes, in their sizes, no pressure, of course, something that they can have when they stay with us. I believe Father would like to have a family portrait taken with both families together.”
Leo's face registered a mix of surprise and gratitude at Theodore's thoughtful suggestion. The idea of a family portrait, combining the Maxwells and Lawsons in a single image, carried symbolic weight that wasn't lost on him.
"That's very generous," he said carefully. "But I think the boys would be more comfortable in their own clothes. We're not fancy people, but we're proud of who we are."
Theodore nodded, respecting the subtle boundary Leo had established. "Of course. And that's exactly what our parents would want to capture, both families, authentically themselves, united by Iris."
Bryce, who had been showing the younger Maxwell boys photos of the estate's game room, looked up with sudden inspiration. "We could make it a casual portrait! Outside by the oak grove, everyone is in jeans and sweaters. Much more natural than those stuffy formal portraits in the main hall."
Victor's lips quirked in a rare smile at his younger brother's enthusiasm. "I think that's an excellent suggestion, Bryce. I'm sure Mother would prefer something genuine over formal."
Carol felt a knot of tension she hadn't realised she'd been holding begin to unravel. These men, these brothers of Iris's, seemed genuinely interested in making her family feel welcome, not as charity cases but as valued members of Iris's life.