Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 356

Every New Year, the extended Sterling family scattered abroad would return to the main estate, making it a bustling affair.

However, missing his great-grandson made Carlson Sterling uncomfortable, so he ordered Xavier to bring Leo back.

When Xavier video-called Leo, he caught a fleeting glimpse of Silas Sinclair and a crowd of Sinclair relatives.

Knowing Leo was spending the holidays at the Sinclair estate, enjoying a father-son dynamic with his ultimate rival, infuriated Xavier.

Driven by anger, he drove straight to the Sinclair residence and forcefully took Leo back to the Sterling Estate.

The Sterling family had many children. Come nightfall, a group of them chased each other around, setting off fireworks.

The family had assigned over a dozen bodyguards to watch them, terrified of an accident.

But whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.

At first, Xavier stayed right by Leo's side. Then, Lilith called him via video.

In the brief moment he stepped away to answer the call, the accident happened.

A firework exploded. Leo collapsed to the ground, covered in blood...

Xavier was overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow. He never wanted this to happen; after all, Leo was his son.

Xavier murmured, "I'm sorry."

Summer roared, "Is 'sorry' going to fix anything? Can your 'sorry' take Leo's pain away? Can you bleed for him? Can you take his injuries? Why wasn't it you who went deaf? Why wasn't it your legs that got ruined?!"

Xavier knew Summer was heartbroken for Leo, so he didn't argue. He just kept his voice low. "I apologize."

"Get out," Summer pointed at the hospital room door. "Neither my son nor I ever want to see you again!"

Xavier didn't move. He stared at Summer with bloodshot eyes. "Summer, Leo is my son too. I'm grieving just as much as you are."

Summer let out a trembling laugh, her voice sharp with a chilling interrogation. "Your son? Did you ever treat him like a son? You treat him like a son, and he ends up in the hospital?! Don't you know children need adult supervision around fireworks? Are you an idiot or just plain stupid!"

She screamed that last sentence, her tears surging uncontrollably.

Xavier, radiating a dark hostility, replied coldly, "Summer! There were a dozen bodyguards watching. I just took a single phone call. It was an accident!"

Hearing Xavier's pathetic excuse, Summer lost all her patience. She shrieked at him, "Xavier! My boy got hurt!"

A deathly silence fell over the hospital room.

Then, Summer let out a long sigh. Pointing at the door, thoroughly disappointed, she said, "Get out, Xavier. I'm begging you, stop faking this deep father-son bond. My son really doesn't need it, and I doubt he wants to see you either."

Xavier didn't budge. Just then, Lilith walked in from the hallway. "Summer, I know you're heartbroken and hurting, but Xavier didn't do it on purpose. From the moment the surgery started, he hasn't left Leo's side. He's suffering too. Can you please stop blaming him?"

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