Mommy，We Got a Husband
Chapter 42 The Anticipation Begins

"You have the right to remain silent," he said, a smirk on his lips as he never spared a thought for others' feelings, always eager to pick at their wounds.

"What's the big deal?" Alaric shrugged off the tense atmosphere. "They say time heals all wounds. It's been years since he left you. Can't we talk about it, by now?" "Fine, let's talk." Galatea answered honestly, her voice low. "I studied it just for him. Happy?"

Ambrose Vale had been under immense work pressure back in the day, barely sleeping a few hours a week. She had been genuinely worried he would drop dead from exhaustion, leading her to seek out numerous mentors and research extensively.

"Did you love him that much?" Alaric probed further.

It wasn't a question Galatea could answer lightly. Love, for her, was intertwined with pain.

"Mr. Knight, are you very interested in gossip?" Galatea leaned against the table, eyeing him as he got dressed. "So, interested in other people's affairs? What about you? How many have you dated? Loved? Why don't you start?" "None," Alaric stated flatly.

"None?" Galatea laughed in disbelief. "How is it possible that you've never dated?"

'A guy nearing thirty and never dated?'

'Especially as the CEO of his company, with women all around him.'

"I said none, you may believe it or not," Alaric replied.

"And you call me the hypocrite," Galatea muttered under her breath, "Where did your son come from if you've never dated?"

With her snarky comment hanging in the air, Silas Moon knocked and entered, updating Alaric, "Mr. Knight, we've invited bids for the entertainment complex, and over ten companies have submitted their proposals so far."

Alaric had embarked on a grand project to build an entertainment complex, publicly inviting construction firms to bid. Naturally, large construction companies were eager to secure such a lucrative contract.

"Keep busy, Mr. Knight. I'll take my leave." Galatea made a quick exit as work matters came knocking.

Once she left, Alaric sifted through the folders, scrutinizing the profiles of the bidding companies, his eyes narrowing on one particular profile.

"Isn't this Far East International the same as the former Foster Consortium?"

"Yes," Silas confirmed, "they rebranded about seven years ago."

"I don't recall them having a construction division under their umbrella."

The web of corporate history unfurled, hinting at stories untold, as Alaric contemplated his next move.

"Right, Far East International primarily focuses on manufacturing and exporting electronics," he mused aloud. "Construction is a new sector for them. Looks like they're aiming for diversification. Venturing into new territory and they've got the gall to bid? That's quite bold of them."

"Yes," Silas Moon could only concur. Afterward, Alaric handed the document back to Silas, instructing, "Bring this back to me after the bidding deadline." "Understood, Mr. Knight."

Alaric glanced at the clock, a thought struck him, and he grabbed his car keys and hurried out.

Now that Caspian was no longer boarding at school, as a father, it was only natural for Alaric not to let him stay over at Uncle Cormac's.

Upon seeing Alaric arrive to pick up the boy, Cormac, clearly reluctant, remarked, "I've been enjoying Caspian's company, and now you're whisking him away?"

Cormac always loved a lively environment. Unfortunately, living alone, having Caspian around was quite delightful.

"Like kids that much? Go find a lady and have your own and stop fussing over my son!" Alaric retorted before scooping up Harry in his arms and gently said, "Caspian, since you're not staying at school, let's head home, all right?" Truth be told, Harry was quite fond of Alaric.

"Dad, aren't you seeing someone? If I come back home, wouldn't I be in the way?"

"Who told you I'm dating?" Alaric looked at Harry inquisitively.

"Aren't you and Galatea involved?" Harry asked, somewhat offended. "I heard from Cormac. Galatea is now your personal doctor, and you're with her all the time. How can you not be dating?"

Both Alaric and Cormac were stunned by Harry's assertion. What in the world was Caspian talking about?

"Caspian, I'm baffled. I get why you wouldn't take to Orion if she wasn't good to you, but you've only met Galatea a couple of times. Why are you so attached to her? She's known for being bad luck."

At those words, a frustrated glare shot from Harry's eyes toward Cormac as he demanded, "You plan on bad-mouthing her, too? If that's the case, I'll leave right now."

"Caspian, I'm your uncle, and Galatea is a stranger. Are you truly getting mad at me for her sake?"

"She's the mother I've chosen, so to me, she means more than anyone else. Anyone who speaks ill of her loses my respect!" Harry declared angrily.

"Oh heavens, what kind of spell has that woman cast?" Cormac lamented.

"Caspian, has anyone else spoken ill of her to you?" Alaric questioned.

"Grandpa surely gave her a piece of his mind," he said. "Told me she isn't worthy of becoming a Knight. Wants me to keep my distance, but I trust my judgment-I know who's good and who's not."

Alaric didn't say much in response, but hearing Griffon put it that way stirred up annoyance within him, too.

"Caspian, if you've got the smarts to make your own decisions, then don't listen to their nonsense. And look, if you like staying here, then stay. Just call me whenever you're ready to come back home," Alaric said.

"I hope that by the time you come to get me, Galatea will already be my mom, legit and all!" Harry said with a grin.

Alaric just smiled back without a word.

After leaving Cormac Nash's home, Alaric found himself mulling over Harry's hopeful declaration. They say that blending a family can be tough as nails. 'But could the kid's enthusiasm be an omen of smoother times to come?' The following days kept Alaric swamped with work. One day, after the meeting, his assistant, Silas Moon, respectfully approached him with an update.

"Mr. Knight, Mr. Gavin from the board of Far East Construction, a subsidiary of Far East International, is keen to have lunch with you tomorrow. What do you think?"

Alaric glanced at his calendar and replied without missing a beat, "Tell him I'm booked."

Silas also eyed the calendar. Tomorrow was Wednesday, the day Galatea came for his physical therapy sessions. Was that the urgent appointment he was referring to? "Spread the word. I'm not meeting with any bidder's representative before the tender is opened," Alaric declared firmly. "Understood, Mr. Knight."

It was rumored that Gavin had flown back from abroad just for this. Looks like he'd miscalculated.

At day's end, Alaric found himself staring at the calendar again, oddly looking forward to the next day to come sooner.

However, life is unpredictable. There's just no telling if tomorrow will roll in with a blessing or a surprise.