Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 56

They could never afford to be reckless, never allowed to throw a tantrum and cry as freely as Hunter did.

Xavier turned his gaze toward Hunter. "Hunter, I told you, if you want to play with Leo's toys, you have to ask for his permission first. Apologize to him."

Hunter bawled even louder. "It's all because he's so stingy! I just wanted to play with his robot. I didn't do anything wrong! It's all his fault, I want him to apologize to me, wahhh..."

"Shut up!" Summer snapped coldly. "If you keep screaming and polluting my house with your noise, I'll call the cops and have them drag you away."

Hunter instantly remembered the terrifying ordeal at the hospital. He was actually quite afraid of Summer, and his wails immediately dialed down to a whimper.

...

Perhaps a sliver of Xavier's conscience had survived, making him realize he really had wronged and falsely accused his own son. During lunch, he actively tried to mend his relationship with Leo.

He placed a freshly peeled shrimp into Leo's bowl. "Leo, I remember you love eating shrimp."

Hunter stared at the plump, white meat in Leo's bowl, his eyes burning with intense jealousy. He quickly clamored, "Uncle Xavier, I want some too!"

Feigning innocent sweetness, Hunter swung his legs and looked around with bright, calculating eyes. "And Auntie Lily! She loves shrimp too. Uncle Xavier, can you peel some for my auntie? She has a baby in her tummy, and if the baby eats shrimp, it'll grow up super smart!"

"Alright. There's plenty for both of you," Xavier replied with a warm smile, using his long, elegant fingers to expertly peel the large shrimp.

Summer casually picked the shrimp out of Leo's bowl, tossed it onto the discard plate, and replaced it with a perfectly deboned piece of steamed fish.

Seeing this, a flash of pure mockery crossed Lily's eyes.

She spoke in a slow, drawling tone. "Summer, even if you have an issue with Xavier, you shouldn't throw away the food he personally peeled for Leo. It's such a waste."

Xavier looked up at Summer. His expression remained composed, his deep eyes dark and unreadable, but the gaze he pinned on her carried a heavy dose of reprimand.

At least then, Leo wouldn't have to sit here and watch his own father meticulously dote on someone else's child, fulfilling their every whim with endless patience.

The scene playing out before them was blindingly toxic. It was sheer cruelty.

"Thank you." Leo had likely noticed it too. He offered a polite, painfully distant thank you, but didn't touch the rib for the entire duration of the meal.

Instead, he ate every single thing Summer put in his bowl, even the greens he usually hated, leaving nothing behind.

Xavier took it all in, but in the end, he didn't say a word.

After lunch, Xavier left for the Sterling Estate, leaving behind strict instructions for Leo and Hunter to get along.

But that obnoxious brat practically begged for a beating, so he shouldn't blame her for showing no mercy...