The Year She Stopped Being Crazy for Him novel Chapter 28

Mia leaned close to the watch and chimed in, "Madam, please let Adrian stay and play!"

"That wouldn't be appropriate," Gardenia politely declined.

Cecily assumed the woman on the other end was a well-bred, elegant society mother. After all, in her eyes, anyone who could raise a child as brilliant and well-mannered as Adrian couldn't possibly be a bad person.

So, she spoke up warmly, "The children love playing together. Let them have their fun. I'll have my driver take him back tomorrow morning."

The woman on the phone hesitated for a moment before agreeing. "In that case... I'll come pick him up myself tomorrow morning."

"Wonderful."

Right as the call ended, Hassan came walking down the stairs.

He had stripped off his rigid suit and changed into comfortable, loose-fitting cotton loungewear. The relaxed fit only accentuated his tall, lean frame. His sleeves were casually rolled up to his forearms, revealing clean, taut muscle lines that spoke of disciplined routine.

The moment Adrian saw him, he trotted right over and grabbed his hand. "Daddy."

Everyone in the room—except for Natalie—jolted in surprise.

Mia, despite being terrified of Hassan, bravely rushed forward for her friend's sake and grabbed Adrian's little arm. "You can't just call people that!"

She looked up with wide, watery eyes. "Mr... Mr. Carlson, please don't be mad. Adrian doesn't have a daddy, just a mommy. He probably just really misses having one."

Hearing that the sweet boy didn't even have a father, Cecily's heart completely melted. "Oh, Hassan, it won't kill you to let him call you that."

Cecily pulled Natalie over and joked, "But you know, if you call him Daddy, this lady right here becomes your Mommy. Do you want to trade moms?"

It was meant as a harmless joke—elders always loved teasing kids.

Fortunately, Cecily recovered quickly. "An important friend, of course. What, your own mother asks you for a tiny favor, and you're questioning it?"

Faust shook his head. "It's handled. I've already spoken to Dr. Weston. I was just curious, that's all."

He didn't pry any further. Instead, he turned to Hassan and got straight to the point. "The shareholders' meeting took place this year. What are your thoughts?"

Hassan began detailing matters concerning the conglomerate one by one.

But after listening, Faust was clearly unsatisfied. "I'm not worried about your ability to run the company."

He set down his chopsticks. "Didn't you notice that every single person sitting in that boardroom has an heir? Except for you." His voice grew heavy. "I don't care who you're still hung up on. Do not delay this child situation any longer."

Hassan looked down, stirring the soup in his bowl. The loose strands of hair falling over his forehead obscured his eyes. A soft "Understood" rumbled from his throat.