Chapter 56 Chapter 56
Across town, in the Maxwell kitchen, Theodore was checking his watch. "We should let you get back to your day," he said, rising from the table. "The car service will arrive at six on Friday evening. Please don't hesitate to call if you have any questions before then."
Leo stood, extending his hand to each of the Lawson brothers in turn. When he reached Bryce, the youngest Lawson surprised him with an enthusiastic handshake that turned into a quick, impulsive hug.
"I can't wait to show your boys the game room," Bryce said, his excitement palpable. "And maybe we can all play basketball? Theodore says I need more practice with actual people instead of just shooting hoops alone."
Leo chuckled, caught off guard by Bryce's unfiltered enthusiasm. "The twins are on their school team. I'm sure they'd be happy to give you some pointers."
As the Lawson brothers prepared to depart, Victor handed Carol a small card. "This has the direct security line for the estate. If you have any concerns about media attention or privacy, please don't hesitate to call, day or night."
Carol accepted the card, the reality of their new situation sinking in more deeply. Twenty-four hours ago, her greatest worry had been finding the funds for Finn's baseball camp. Now she had a direct line to the security team protecting her family from media intrusion.
"Thank you," she said, her teacher's composure holding steady despite the surreal circumstances. "We appreciate everything your family is doing to make this transition easier."
After the Lawsons departed, the Maxwell kitchen fell into an unusual silence. The boys exchanged glances, processing the morning's unexpected visitors in their own ways.
"They seemed... normal," Finn finally said, breaking the silence. "I mean, for rich guys."
Buck nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe some rich people are normal, but it's what reality shows put on and movies that make us think that they all live in fancy suits and dresses to make it feel more upper class.”
Jakob's eyes lit up with excitement. "And Theodore said they have horses! Real ones, not just pictures. Do you think they'd let us ride them?"
Carol smoothed her youngest son's hair, her heart full of conflicting emotions. "I'm sure if they have horses, they'll be happy to show them to you. But remember, we're going there to meet Iris's birth family, not just to see their property."
Leo leaned against the counter, watching his family process the morning's revelations. The Lawson brothers had been nothing as he'd expected. Despite their obvious wealth, there had been a genuineness to them that had caught him off guard. Theodore's diplomatic grace, Victor's quiet strength, and Bryce's unfiltered enthusiasm, he could see elements of each of them in Iris, pieces of a puzzle he hadn't known was incomplete.
"Dad?" Nikolaus's voice pulled Leo from his thoughts. "Are you okay with all this?"
Leo considered the question, appreciating his sensitive son's perceptiveness. "I'm adjusting," he admitted. "It's a lot to take in. But seeing how much they've searched for her, how much they've missed her... it helps."
Across town at Westlake University, Iris and Tony were finishing their lunch as curious students kept stealing glances at them. The security personnel had subtly repositioned themselves as the café filled with the midday rush, maintaining their protective perimeter without drawing unnecessary attention.
"Your next class is in the east wing, right?" Tony asked, checking his watch. "I can walk you there before my economics lecture."
Iris nodded, gathering her portfolio and bag. "Design Applications with Professor Winters. At least there I know I'll be treated normally."
As they stood to leave, Iris's phone chimed with a message from Theodore: Metropolitan Design Challenge has agreed to release scoring rubrics for all finalists. A statement forthcoming this afternoon confirming your win was based solely on merit, and the evaluation occurred weeks before DNA identification.
Relief washed over her. The thought of her hard-earned achievement being diminished by whispers of nepotism had been gnawing at her all morning.
"Good news?" Tony asked, noting the change in her expression.
"The best," she replied, showing him the message. "Theodore works quickly."
They made their way across the quad, aware of the stares but choosing to focus on each other instead. Tony's hand found hers, his thumb tracing gentle circles against her palm in a gesture that had already become comfortingly familiar.
"Will you come to the estate this weekend?" Iris asked suddenly. "To meet the Maxwells?"
The question caught Tony off guard. "I hadn't thought about it," he admitted. "I assumed it would be just the families."
"You're part of this story too," Iris pointed out. "Besides, I'd... I'd like you there." The admission brought a slight blush to her cheeks.
Tony's heart swelled at her words, “Is that so beautiful? You would like me to meet your adoptive family at the same time?”
Iris nodded, a small smile playing at her lips despite the chaos swirling around them. "I'd like my Maxwell family to meet everyone who's important to me. That includes you."
Tony's expression softened, his dark eyes warm with emotion as he squeezed her hand. "Then I'll be there. Though I should warn you, meeting seven protective brothers at once might be more intimidating than facing my mother."
Their laughter drew more curious glances as they continued across the quad toward the design building. The security detail adjusted their positions seamlessly, maintaining the protective bubble around Iris without being intrusive. For a brief moment, as Tony's shoulder brushed against hers and their hands remained intertwined, Iris allowed herself to forget the upheaval of the past twenty-four hours and simply enjoy the connection they shared.
At the Lawson estate, Dianne had returned to her studio after the phone call with Iris, her creative energy flowing with an intensity she hadn't experienced in two decades. Sketches for the exhibition layout covered every available surface, each one carefully annotated with placement notes for Iris's designs alongside her own sculptures.
Richard paused in the doorway, watching his wife work with a mixture of wonder and cautious hope. For twenty years, he had witnessed her struggle through the motions of life, a hollow shell of the vibrant artist he had married. Now, seeing her fully engaged in creation again, he felt a knot of emotion tighten in his chest.
"She called me 'father,'" he said quietly, not wanting to disrupt her concentration but needing to share this moment.
Dianne looked up, her eyes bright with creative purpose. "She did?"