Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 74

Affectionate, gentle, and patient—he looked exactly like Hunter's real father.

Just then, Leo was walking toward the school gates with his little backpack.

The next second, he stopped in his tracks, spotting Xavier at the entrance.

Xavier noticed Leo too, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes, not expecting Leo to be waiting alone.

But he quickly regained his composure. Without a shred of guilt or hesitation, he waved. "Leo, come here."

A brief flash of hurt crossed Leo's eyes before he shook his head and refused. "No thanks, Mister. My mom is here to get me. You and your son can go."

Summer's heart ached. She quickened her pace, jogging over as she called out, "Leo!"

"Mom!" Leo ran toward Summer without a second glance, throwing himself into her arms.

Xavier watched them, his gaze cold and his expression unreadable.

"Do you want some caramel apple? Mr. Sterling bought this for me. It's so sweet." Hunter looked at Leo smugly. He pulled a piece off the skewer and held it out. "Here, I'll give you one."

His tone and expression were like he was tossing scraps to a beggar.

Yet Xavier actually praised him, gently patting Hunter's head. "Hunter is such a good boy, knowing how to share."

Then he looked at Leo. "Leo, take it. I only bought one today. Next time, I'll buy an extra one so you can have your own."

Summer let out a cold, furious laugh, her chest tightening with sharp pangs of pain.

Why did he have to wait until next time when there was a vendor right outside the gate?

It was bad enough that Xavier didn't love her, but he didn't even love his own son.

"I don't want it," Leo said coldly. He didn't want the caramel apple, and he didn't want his father either.

Summer raised an eyebrow. "Hunter was not only forcing himself on someone else, but he was also being disgusting. His hands were filthy, covered in germs, and he grabbed the food and tried to shove it into Leo's mouth. Was Leo wrong for defending himself? Who is really in the wrong here?"

Xavier instinctively took Hunter's side. "Hunter was just trying to share. He's just a child; he doesn't think about all that."

Summer hadn't wanted to argue with him, but since they were already there, she wasn't going to hold back. She snapped, "Xavier, you're the richest man in Empire City, and you can't afford a single caramel apple? There's a vendor right over there! Why did he need to share? And talking about buying one next time? I can see you just don't want to buy anything for Leo at all."

"It's just a caramel apple. Do you really need to be this petty?"

Just a caramel apple?

Xavier's blatant favoritism and bias made Summer tremble with rage. She yelled, "But you won't even buy him that single caramel apple!"

"Caramel apples? Good thing I bought some," Jude's voice suddenly cut in. He pulled two caramel apples from behind his back and shoved one directly into Summer's hand.

"Don't be mad. Stress causes wrinkles, and we can't have you losing your edge."