Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 172

After dinner, Leo played chess with Alaric in the living room. Despite his young age, he played with impressive skill, matching the old man move for move.

The smile never left Alaric's face all evening, and his joyous laughter echoed throughout the living room.

After the game, Alaric wanted to drag Leo to the study for some calligraphy practice, but Silas intercepted him.

"Grandpa, Leo just recovered from being sick. Let him get some rest."

Alaric slapped his own forehead. "Look at me, it's my fault. I got so excited I completely forgot! You need to rest up after being sick."

Saying that, Alaric pulled out a custom-made protective gold pendant and fastened it around Leo's neck. He patted it gently. "This will keep you safe and healthy as you grow up."

Having grown up in the Sterling household where Carlson hoarded antiques, Leo had a good eye for expensive things.

The gold pendant looked incredibly refined, embedded with priceless natural gemstones. It was undoubtedly worth a fortune.

Leo shook his head. "Great-Grandpa, this is too expensive."

"Every child born into the Sinclair family gets one. I had a master artisan handcraft this specifically, and it's been blessed at the temple. Keep it on and don't you dare take it off."

Leo looked up at Silas for guidance.

Silas smiled warmly. "Keep it. It's a token of your Great-Grandpa's love."

He then cast a pointed glance at the rest of the relatives in the room. His message was clear: Where are your gifts?

He had spent years handing out gifts to everyone else's kids. Now that he finally had a son, it was time to collect on his investment.

And so, on his very first day at Sinclair Manor, Leo was showered with luxury gifts and handed welcome envelopes totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

When Leo tried to hand the cash over to Silas, the man just patted his head. "Give it to your mom. Tell her to start a nest egg for you."

"But..." Leo wanted to say that since the money came from Silas's family, Silas should be the one to keep it.

But Silas cut him off. "Do you want to call your mom?"

Leo's eyes instantly lit up, but he restrained his excitement. "Dad, is it a good time?"

"Of course." Silas had already initiated a video call with Summer on his phone. He waved Leo over. "Come here."

Leo walked over, and Silas scooped him up, settling the boy comfortably in his lap.

Guessing her train of thought, Silas explained, "Xavier isn't worth that much effort. He's just collateral damage. The main reason is that Leo is a wonderful kid, and I genuinely like him. Secondly, he's doing me a huge favor. At my age, the family's pressure to settle down is intense. I hope you understand."

"I completely understand," Summer said, nodding repeatedly.

Whether rich or poor, average or elite, no one could escape the suffocating pressure to marry and have kids once they reached a certain age.

Even a billionaire CEO wasn't immune.

A knock sounded at the door. Silas turned his head just as Alaric pushed it open, beaming as he carried in a glass of milk.

"Leo, Great-Grandpa brought you some milk! Growing boys need plenty of milk to get tall and strong."

Silas set Leo down on the sofa, handing the phone over so the boy could hold it himself. He then stood up and walked over, reaching out to take the glass.

"I'll take that, Grandpa."

"Back off." Alaric dodged him with surprising agility, his tone dripping with disdain. "This is for Leo, not you."

He immediately switched back to his joyful demeanor, striding toward the sofa. "Leo, who are you video calling? Is it your mom? Quick, let Great-Grandpa take a look!"