Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 598

Little Henry snoozed peacefully in his crib, redeeming the CEO's family image and showing everyone that even the boss's kid could be adorable and well-behaved. When Andre Cedillo, the CEO, brought his child to the office, it was like seeing a unicorn. A self-rocking bassinet, a stash of diapers, and baby formula in his sleek office? No one could believe their eyes. Was this the same Andre Cedillo known for his strict separation of personal and professional life? The same guy who was all business, never letting emotions get in the way? The staff was stunned. Noah, Andre's right-hand man, carried the bassinet into the office, his mind buzzing with questions he wouldn't dare to ask.

Once alone, Andre placed his son by the window where the warm sunlight streamed in, gently laid the sleeping child into the cradle, and resumed his work, perfectly positioned to keep an eye on his little one. At first, Henry's tiny mouth puckered, as if he was about to wake up and start crying. But a few gentle pats on his bottom from his father soothed him back to sleep. Only when the boy was settled did Andre stand up, drape a light blanket over him, and step away.

With a baby in the office, every knock on the door was hushed, every conversation kept to a whisper.

Then the overseas call came through. "Mr. Cedillo, there's a shortage of 800 tons on the market. Our European and Asian branches can reroute 200 tons and 100 tons, respectively. It should just cover it."

Andre's response was firm. "Hold back 100 tons for emergencies. Better to take a loss than to be caught unprepared."

Even as a pioneering businessman at the helm of Cedillo Inc., expanding his empire, Andre's traditional roots compelled him to always keep a reserve.

The journalist who'd made a name for herself with her incisive questions during yesterday's press conference had been promoted. Her probing had brought the issues with the Walker Corporation's murky supply chain and questionable product quality to light, leaving them scrambling while the Cedillo Group swiftly filled the market void without price gouging.

The Walkers' supply issues worsened when their stock numbers were found to be duplicates of those already on the market, fueling media speculation and concern over potential inferior goods.

Opinions were divided internationally, but Andre's reputation soared, muting negative online comments directed at Cedillo Inc. Fans from all over applauded the company's integrity on various websites.

When it was discovered that Cedillo Inc., headquartered in Eldoria, was behind the rapid response, admiration for Andre's leadership grew. "Not everyone can claim the title of a business emperor," they said.

Female fans, more interested in Andre's looks than business acumen, inquired, "Is he single? He's so handsome and young."

The online response revealed that Andre was not only taken but a father as well, with numerous comments praising Cedillo Inc., while sympathy for the Walker Corporation waned.

Andre, witnessing the tide of public opinion turning in his favor, looked down at his son, who had woken up and was contentedly playing with the toy his father had bought for him. The comments couldn't stir Andre's heart, but the sight of his wife running toward him, beaming with joy, and his son's excited babbling did. In those moments, he was enveloped in happiness, ripples of tenderness crossing the lake of his emotions.

Standing up, Andre approached his son, bending down to meet the gaze of the little one who, having just had his bottle, was too sleepy for conversation. He leaned in and kissed his son, a simple act of love amidst the complexities of business.

Meanwhile, in the Walker Corporation office, a family drama unfolded. Old man Walker sat with his fingers intertwined, watching his two sons argue. Reagan, the second son, disowned any involvement in the scandal, refusing to take the fall. Bruce Dylan, the eldest, argued that the company would suffer under Reagan's leadership if he went to prison.

The patriarch, Mr. Walker, challenged his sons to remember the importance of unity, something they had forgotten in their previous loss to Andre Cedillo. Silence fell upon the office until the door burst open, revealing the youngest Walker, Wesley, a striking figure with an air of defiance, contrasting his siblings with his dark hair and brown eyes.

Wesley's arrival was unexpected, but his message was clear: it was time to pay up and face the consequences of their actions.

Eldest son Dylan fumed with indignation. "Now we're coughing up damages and our reputation's in the gutter. All the perks are being gobbled up by those sharks at Cedillo Group's second branch-they're raking in billions in mere days, while we're hemorrhaging cash like it's going out of fashion, and on top of that, we have to pony up even more."

Wesley's eyes, a spitting image of their father's-sharp as a hawk's gaze-fixed on his older brother. "Andre's not jacking up prices because he's playing the long game. To him, a few billion is just pocket change for his wife's shopping sprees. We dropped the ball this time, bro. Paying up is about keeping our word, looking at the big picture."

Dylan turned to their father. "Dad, we're talking serious dough here."

Old man Walker surveyed his three sons, his gaze finally resting on his youngest. "What's your take?"

"Settle the breach of contract and lay low. Isn't someone supposed to take the fall?" Wesley glanced at his two elder siblings before addressing his father. "What's there to fear? It's not like we haven't been played by our own team."