The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 613

Helena quickly pulled Greta into her arms. The little girl's arm bore the angry, red marks of a scratch—a glaring testament to the boy's aggression.

Helena glared at the little boy. If he had aimed just a bit higher, Greta could have been left with a scar on her face. This spoiled brat was clearly used to getting away with murder.

The security guard, acting as if he hadn't seen the boy strike first, turned to Helena again. "Ma'am, I need to ask you and your daughter to leave."

At that moment, the elevator doors chimed open, and Stefan Goddard stepped into the lobby, flanked by several hotel executives.

Seeing his father, Hayden shot across the marble floor like a cannonball, throwing himself into his arms. "Daddy!"

Fitch Zeller, the forty-five-year-old Vice President of the hotel, softened instantly. Hayden was his late-in-life child, the apple of his eye. Looking down at his son, his stern expression melted into a smile. He glanced up at Stefan. "Mr. Goddard, this is my son, Hayden. He's a bit energetic, so please excuse him."

Stefan offered a curt nod but said nothing.

Fitch looked down at his son with mock sternness. "Didn't I tell you not to interrupt when Daddy is working?"

Hayden clung to him, his cheeks puffed out in anger. "Daddy, someone's picking on me."

The nanny hurried over to complain, pointing a finger directly at Helena. "Mr. Zeller, that little girl over there was bullying Hayden. Her mother wouldn't even listen to reason—she called Hayden poorly raised. Hayden was so upset, the moment he saw you, he just couldn't hold it in."

Fitch finally registered the tension in the air. He stammered, "Mr. Goddard, I was only trying to protect the interests of our loyal guests..."

"Are you protecting our guests' interests, or the interests of you and your son?" Stefan cut through the facade. "From what I gather, the past few 'incidents' were all instigated by your boy. You created this rule solely for his benefit."

The blood drained from Fitch's face. "Mr. Goddard, you've misunderstood..."

Standing nearby, Mr. Sutton—a fellow VP and Fitch's direct rival—spoke up. It was Sutton who had initially proposed the day passes to increase revenue.

"Actually, Mr. Goddard," Sutton smoothly interjected, "the majority of our clientele are corporate guests who rarely travel with children. Our playground facilities were sitting empty ninety percent of the time. That's why I introduced the day passes. Fitch's fierce opposition is entirely because of his son. The boy is here every single day, treating the place like his own personal playroom. If we let more paying customers in, he can't monopolize the playground anymore."