Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 412

"Mr. Rhodes, how are you feeling?"

Raphael hadn't realized the doctor had walked in. He lowered the business documents in his hands. "I'm feeling quite well. Thank you, Dr. Thorne."

"If you feel any discomfort at all, you can call the nurses or page me directly."

Raphael nodded politely.

Just before leaving, Tessa walked over to Archie. "So, you must be Leo's best friend?"

Archie had been crying for hours, and his eyes were still red and puffy.

Clutching a plush toy, he nodded obediently, his messy curly hair bouncing with the motion.

Tessa fought the sudden urge to reach out and ruffle his hair. He looked so incredibly soft and cute.

Lowering her voice gently, Tessa said, "I'm his Aunt Tessa."

Archie's eyes widened in awe. "You're Leo's aunt?!"

Reaching into the pocket of her white coat, Tessa pulled out a small gummy bear and handed it to him with a warm smile. "No more crying, okay? I promise I won't let anything happen to your dad."

To her surprise, Archie instantly blurted out, "Thank you, Aunt Tessa!"

Raphael, who had been quietly listening to the exchange, was momentarily speechless.

Tessa blinked in surprise before bursting into a bright, clear laugh. She looked genuinely delighted.

Unable to resist any longer, she reached out and affectionately ruffled Archie's curls. The soft, fluffy texture was just as wonderful as she had imagined.

Raphael offered an apologetic smile on his son's behalf.

Turning back to him, Tessa smiled warmly. "No need to apologize, Mr. Rhodes. He's just a kid. Oh, by the way, the gummy bear I gave him is made from pure, natural fruit juice. The ingredients are completely clean and healthy, so you don't need to worry."

As she spoke, Tessa walked back over to the hospital bed, pulled another gummy from her pocket, and offered it to Raphael.

After all, a powerful man like Raphael Rhodes would naturally be hyper-vigilant about what his son consumed. Giving him a random, unverified candy might trigger his protective instincts.

So, she offered him one as well.

Raphael was indeed extremely cautious about what Archie ate. Smiling, he accepted the candy, feeling an undeniable spike of appreciation for Tessa.

The first hint of that appreciation came from her connection to Leo Vance, but her gentle, effortless way of comforting Archie truly won him over.

Tessa didn't linger. With a polite nod, she turned to leave, though she couldn't help but give Archie's head one last affectionate pat on her way out.

The second Tessa was gone, Archie eagerly dialed Leo's number, excitedly bragging about how incredibly gentle his Aunt Tessa was and how she had even given him candy.

Leo immediately guessed it was a gummy bear. Those specific candies were something Tessa originally carried just for him.

Eventually, it became a habit for her to keep a stash in her pockets. Whenever she treated a child, she would offer them one.

Archie was so wildly jealous that he specifically asked Leo if his aunt had a boyfriend.

Curious, Leo asked, "Why do you want to know?"

Hugging his plush toy and swinging his short legs, Archie giggled. "Because I want your aunt to be my new mom!"

On the other end of the line, Leo was stunned into silence.

In the hospital bed, Raphael was equally speechless.

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