The CEO's Mischievous Little Bride

Patrick had just gone downstairs to get some warm water for Teddy. As he was about

to head to the bathroom to help, he overheard Vera and Cindy talking, and something about their conversation struck a chord in him.

Vera seemed less energetic these days, likely because of their very demanding son. Teddy cried a lot, threw tantrums, stayed up late, and was generally hard to please.

Being a mom had taken up half of Vera's energy.

Patrick pushed open the bathroom door and saw that Teddy was almost done with his bath. He grabbed Teddy's special towel and walked over.

Vera lifted the slippery Teddy out of the tub and handed him to Patrick. "Cindy, thanks again for your help."

Cindy waved it off. "We're family. No need to be so formal."

As Cindy was leaving, she reminded Vera, "If Teddy doesn't sleep tonight, bring him to me. You need a good rest; you have classes tomorrow."

"It's okay. Patrick and I can handle him."

Back in the bedroom, Teddy was already wrapped in his towel, sipping the warm water Patrick had brought.

"Vera, maybe we should let the nanny handle Teddy at night? We could use the break."

Vera shook her head. "I can't bear to."

She sat next to Patrick, looking down at Teddy's face. "Sure, it's exhausting, but it's a happy kind of exhaustion. Sometimes he can be a handful, but most of the time, Teddy is just adorable."

She leaned down and kissed Teddy's cheek. "Do you love Mommy?"

Teddy giggled, kicking his little legs in delight.

Randall and Susan got home around eleven, and everyone else was already asleep.

Susan yawned. "Goodnight, Randall."

Randall nodded, watching her head to her room before he went into his own.

With his work done, he turned to his "personal projects."

The light in Randall's room stayed on until about two in the morning.

When Patrick went downstairs to get more water for Teddy, he noticed the light under Randall's door. He walked over and knocked.

"Who is it?" Randall paused his work and asked.

"It's Patrick. Are you still working? Burning the midnight oil?"

Randall closed his book. "No, just playing some games. About to head to bed."

Patrick gave Randall's room a thoughtful look before heading back downstairs.

When he returned to the bedroom, Teddy was in Vera's arms, crying intermittently. Vera was patting his back, trying to soothe him.

Patrick handed her the water. Vera tested the temperature on her wrist before giving it to Teddy.

"He's still a bit feverish. What should we do?" Vera asked.

Patrick went to the medicine cabinet, took out some alcohol and cotton swabs, and sat on the bed to wipe down Teddy's joints. "The doctor said it's common for babies his age to get fevers. If we can avoid giving him medicine, we should. I'll use some alcohol to cool him down."

Vera continued to give Teddy water.

"I saw Randall's light on when I went to get water," Patrick mentioned. "Has he said anything to you or Molly about what he's been up to lately?"

Vera looked puzzled. "No, but last night, when I was downstairs with Teddy, I saw him too. Do you think he's working late?"

Patrick finished wiping one of Teddy's feet and moved to the other. "I doubt it. With his skills, he could finish high-pressure work before midnight. He told me he was playing games."

Clearly, Patrick didn't buy it.

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Teddy finished his water and tossed the bottle aside, snuggling into Vera's arms.

"Susan and Randall are pretty tight. Maybe she knows something. I'll ask her tomorrow," Vera said, still puzzled by Randall. "Randall keeps everything to himself. It feels like Molly and I are always one step ahead of him, but we never really know what he's thinking. Meanwhile, we can't keep anything from each other."

Patrick tossed the used cotton swab and grabbed a new one to wipe Teddy's legs. "Being secretive has its pros and cons."

Teddy felt the coolness on his legs and started to resist, expressing his displeasure the only way he knew how-by crying.

The room was once again filled with Teddy's cries.

The next day at school, Vera and Susan were walking across campus when Vera

remembered Randall. "Susan, what's Randall been up to lately?"

Susan tilted her head, looking at her aunt. "Working, why?"

"Just curious."

Susan pouted, her eyes thoughtful. Why was Vera asking about Randall?

Vera's question made Susan more attentive to Randall.

Patrick also kept a closer eye on Randall at work. Randall's performance was impeccable, but he seemed tired during the day, often napping during lunch breaks.

Whenever Patrick asked, Randall would blame it on work. "Uncle Patrick, being the secretary-general is exhausting," he'd say, sounding childish. But Patrick knew better. Randall was more mature than he let on.

Patrick observed Randall at home for a few days. Every night, Randall's light stayed on until the early hours.

Teddy's illness wore the family out for a few days, and Vera lost three pounds before he got better.

Warren and Brianna came straight to the Olteran Manor to see Teddy when they heard he was sick.

Brianna held the now lively Teddy, reluctant to let go. Knowing he had been ill broke her heart.

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find the next chapter anywhere else. Happy reading!

Seeing the thinner Vera, Warren's eyes filled with concern. He held Teddy, gently rocking him. "Teddy, did you wear your mom out?"

Teddy looked at Brianna, unsure.

Vera sat next to Warren, still feeling like a child herself. "Hear that, Theodore? My parents are here to scold you for keeping me up at night and making my arms sore from holding you."

Teddy pouted, looking like he was about to cry.

But before he could, he was once again the center of attention, with everyone doting on him.

Randall took the rare opportunity to sleep in on the weekend. When he woke up, he hugged Teddy. "Be good. I'm going out, and you can't come."

He handed Teddy to Vera and snapped his fingers at Susan. "Grab your bag. Let's go."

Susan quickly grabbed her bag and followed Randall.

Warren chuckled. "Susan always follows Randall around."

As they were leaving, they ran into Sebastian, who had come to see Molly.

"Uncle Sebastian!" Susan called out, loud enough for Molly to hear inside.

Sebastian smiled. "Going out with Randall?"

Susan nodded happily. She was always excited to go out with Randall.

"Have fun and be safe."

In the car, Susan asked excitedly, "Where are we going, Randall?"

"To the library," Randall replied, his emotional intelligence showing its limits.