The Tycoon's Gutsy Wife

Chapter 19: A Special Offer

This was a question she wasn’t prepared for. She came here for a business proposal, not to dissolve a family feud. She didn’t even know what had happened exactly that time because she was too young to care about old people and their issues.

Adeline was silent for too long as she searched for an answer.

Darien couldn’t deny that her proposal was good. How she knew he needed good materials was unknown to him, but she came at the right time.

However, he felt like making things a little bit harder for her. The way her eyes darkened without even realizing it amused him.

"Would you let a family feud cause you not to think rationally about your business?" She questioned back.

Since she didn’t plan for this question, this was the only thing she could think of. Seeing his eyes narrow into slits at her, she realized what she said might be wrong.

But she continued anyway. "If you weren’t interested in listening to what I had to say, you wouldn’t have led me here and given me a chance to speak," she added because that was the truth.

Unlike his uncle who tried to dismiss her without even hearing a word she had to say, she could proudly say he was more reasonable.

"If your business means anything to you, you would make the right decision," she finished, holding her breath while waiting for him to ask her to leave.

Darien didn’t say anything. His eyes were on her, not blinking, as if she were a species worth studying.

Sweat coated her back despite the cool air oozing from the AC.

Darien suddenly closed the file.

"This won’t do. I’m sure I can get better materials from other cities and better materials from other countries," he said, standing up which was a sign that the meeting was adjourned.

Adeline’s heart sank. This couldn’t be happening.

"And you’re right, I can’t spoil business for me, but like I said, this won’t do."

"Wait," she called out when he headed for the door. Now her back was dripping in sweat as if cold water had been splashed on her. She gulped down her saliva hard. "I believe something can be done about this."

Darien halted, slowly turning to look at her with those green eyes that made her feel like prey all the time.

"If I remember correctly, you don’t have any office in the Donovan building despite being Mr. Donovan’s granddaughter," he stated.

Not sure what that had to do with any of this, Adeline nodded. "That’s right."

Darien hummed. "In that case, I have a proposal for you."

**

Theodore arrived at Brightwood Academy, the school where Ian went to. He hasn’t seen his son for days and he misses him.

He’d already contacted Adeline before he could come pick up his own son. To think he had to ask for permission to do what he used to do.

Ian saw his father a few meters away and ran like he was in a marathon.

"Father!!" He yelled, attracting not only Theodore’s attention but also other parents’ attention.

He picked his son up, throwing him up in the air

"I’ve missed you so much, son. How have you been? How’s school?" He asked, holding him in his arms.

"School’s been great. Our teacher said there would be a PTA meeting and I should inform you and mother so you can come," the little boy said, happy that his father was right there with him.

It’s been two weeks since he saw his father, and he was excited.

The smile on Theodore’s face instantly faltered. A PTA meeting. Adeline was usually the one who went to such meetings because he was too busy at the office to attend.

"Well, would you like me to be the one who comes for your PTA meeting this time around?" Theodore asked, as they walked out of the school gate, heading towards the car.

He dropped Ian, opening the door.

"But mother is always the one who comes for the meeting," said the little boy. "But I want you to come," he added.

Mr. Donovan had only given them two months to tell Ian the truth about their separation. The boy was still too young to understand. However, Theodore didn’t want to divorce Adeline.

She was still his wife and will forever remain one.

Theodore noticed Ian getting hesitant as he tried to get into the car.

"What’s it, son?" He asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Are you and your mother getting a divorce?" He suddenly asked, leaving his father stunned for a moment, making him wonder where he’d heard that. He stayed with Adeline and her grandfather so he concluded that Adeline must have said something she shouldn’t have said in front of him.

Theodore forced a smile on his face. "Of course not. Your mother and I just had a little quarrel and that’s it."

"But why aren’t you staying over with us? And why are we not back home yet?" Ian asked, his lips pouted, waiting for an answer.

If there was something Theodore didn’t like about his son, it was that he asked too many questions. But since he was the only one here with him, he had no choice but to answer.

"Don’t worry. Your mother and I will be back together soon. You’re only spending a few days with your great-grandfather. After a while, you’ll be back home."

Ian didn’t look convinced and Theodore could only hope the boy wouldn’t ask any more questions. But he was wrong.

"Is Mother going to remarry?" He asked.

Ian was only five, yet he already knew what remarriage was. But the word wasn’t what bothered Theodore, it was the context behind it.

"What?"

"I heard Mother and Papa pops talking about a man. They said she’s going to be seeing him for a while, and then both of you will divorce each other," he explained.

Theodore’s face immediately darkened.

"What’s the name of the man?" He questioned.

Ian blinked at him, his eyebrows furrowed as he tried to recall the name of the man. "Darien Hawthorne."