Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 171

"Are you hungry? Come on, let me carry you down for dinner," Silas Sinclair said, bending down to pick up Leo.

Leo tilted his little head up. "Dad, I can walk by myself."

He was going to be living with Silas for the foreseeable future.

After all, Silas wasn't his biological father, and he knew from experience that even a biological father could despise his own child.

He didn't want Silas to think he was a useless burden and end up embarrassing his mother.

He could do plenty of things on his own.

Silas gently patted his head. "You're sick right now, so it's only right that I carry you. Once you're fully recovered, I'll let you walk on your own."

Leo wasn't a fragile child, but Silas carried a comforting scent that faintly reminded him of Summer. Feeling a little greedy for that warmth, he allowed Silas to carry him downstairs.

It was just in time for dinner. Around twenty people were gathered at the massive circular table in the grand dining room of Sinclair Manor.

Great-Grandpa Alaric was there, too. The elderly patriarch had been faking an illness lately to trick Silas into going on blind dates.

It was because of him that Silas had rushed to finish his work and hurried back from overseas.

According to his original schedule, he was supposed to return a day later, perfectly avoiding the Sinclair family gathering.

Unfortunately for him, the old man was always one step ahead.

Alaric had anticipated his grandson's evasion tactics and staged the illness just to trap him.

But now, upon hearing that Silas had brought home a little boy who looked exactly like him, Alaric's mysterious illness was miraculously cured.

"Weren't you too sick to get out of bed?" Silas asked, his tone dry.

Alaric's eyes were glued to Leo, completely ignoring Silas.

"Come here, come here! Sit next to Great-Grandpa."

Silas carried the boy over and took a seat next to the old man.

Alaric shoved him away in disgust. "Shoo, shoo."

Chasing Silas off to another seat, Alaric placed Leo right between them.

He beamed as he fired off a barrage of questions, and Leo answered every single one with composure.

Even though Leo was only five, he spoke with clear, fluent articulation. Facing a room full of strangers, he didn't show a hint of stage fright, carrying himself with a polite, obedient, yet remarkably steady maturity.

Alaric was absolutely thrilled.

His delight skyrocketed when he learned that Leo was already proficient in horseback riding, martial arts, chess, calligraphy, golf, and fencing. Not to mention, he spoke five languages and was currently studying a fourth-grade curriculum.

Back at the Sterling household, he was taught that he had to manage everything entirely on his own.

If he failed, he was told to do it again and again until he got it right.

There was one time he choked on a fishbone. While the family doctor removed it, Carlson had stood by and lectured him: 'Leo, you've learned your lesson. Next time you eat fish, you need to be meticulous. You choked because you were careless and sloppy.'

Staring at the perfectly deboned white fish on his plate, Leo felt a lump form in his throat.

"Leo, what else do you want to eat? Great-Grandpa will get it for you," Alaric offered warmly.

Leo shook his head. "Thank you, Great-Grandpa. You should eat too."

He picked up some soft, easy-to-chew vegetables and placed them on Alaric's plate, then added some spicy dishes to Silas's.

His mother had always told him that love was reciprocal.

When someone treats you well, you have to treat them well in return.

Silas looked pleasantly surprised and lowered his voice. "How did you know I like spicy food?"

"I noticed," Leo replied simply.

Silas ruffled his hair. "Eat up. If you want anything else, just tell me."