The CEO's Mischievous Little Bride
Chapter 574 Strange Illness

contentment.

Theodore was nestled in Patrick's arms, his tiny feet pressing against Patrick's shirt, and his hands resting on Patrick's strong shoulders. After a bout of crying and fussing, he finally settled down, enjoying the sunlight with his eyes half-closed in Little did he know, Randall was already holding a grudge against him.

Time was up, and Randall had to give in to Patrick's authority.

He grabbed the documents from the table, shot a glance at the little troublemaker Teddy, and reluctantly walked out of the office.

Jack hesitated before leaving, "Mr. Olteran, are you going to join the meeting remotely?"

Patrick nodded.

Jack got the message and left the office too.

Patrick, still holding Theodore, went to his desk and turned on the computer, managing everything with one hand.

Theodore's eyes widened with curiosity, watching the device in Patrick's hand.

He was so intrigued that he forgot he was supposed to be drinking his milk.

Soon, the screen on Patrick's computer showed the meeting room. He leaned back in his chair, holding Theodore with both hands, and looked at the screen. Theodore looked back and forth between the computer and Patrick, his curiosity piqued.

Patrick gently patted Theodore's little head, "This is a computer. When you grow up and go to school, Daddy will get you one too."

Before long, Randall entered the meeting room, and everyone inside was surprised to see him.

Jack pulled out the chair that was usually reserved for Patrick, and everyone looked on in shock.

Where was Patrick?

Randall glanced at the chair, his face tense, looking a lot like Patrick.

Jack explained, "This is Randall Olteran, Mr. Olteran's nephew. Mr. Olteran can't attend the meeting today, so Randall will be stepping in for him."

With that simple explanation, everyone could guess the reason. It was no secret that Patrick's son was at the office today.

Could Patrick really be skipping the meeting just to take care of his son?

Everyone speculated, but no one dared to say anything.

Some folks on the big screen from overseas asked Jack, "Only Patrick understands the overseas matters. Randall hasn't seen them before. Does he understand?"

Randall jumped in, "Just because I haven't seen them doesn't mean I can't handle it. I've studied the overseas situation thoroughly and know this data better than Patrick. I get your doubts, but let the facts speak for themselves." Theodore tried to turn his little face, curiously watching the screen and listening to the people talk. Soon, his neck got tired, and he turned back, lying on Patrick's chest. It wasn't long before he seemed like he was about to cry again. With no one else in the office to help, Patrick held the crying Theodore with one hand and left the office. He grabbed a bottle, got some water for Theodore, and then returned to the office to make formula.

The group of secretaries in the executive office was stunned. Was this really Patrick?

Theodore was still crying, his little face scrunched up, eyes closed. He wanted Vera; he hadn't seen her all morning.

Vera was halfway through shopping when she felt uneasy, "Cindy, the driver will come to pick you up later. I'm not going back with you. I can't stop thinking about Theodore, and I keep hearing his cries in my head." Cindy quickly got the hint and said, "We've bought enough clothes. When the driver gets here, we'll drop you off at Patrick's company first."

Cindy had also picked up new clothes for Vincent, herself, and even Shawn.

When the Olteran family driver arrived, Cindy instructed, "Drop Vera off at the Olteran Group first, then we'll head home."

The driver followed the orders.

When they got to the Olteran Group building, Vera went straight in. The receptionist was about to stop her, but someone nearby intervened, "She's Patrick's wife."

Since Vera hadn't been to the company in a while, the new receptionist didn't recognize her and almost stopped her.

Vera took the executive elevator straight to Patrick's office area. As soon as she stepped out, she saw the surrounding secretaries.

"Mrs. Olteran, you're here," they greeted.

Vera nodded and headed towards Patrick's office.

As soon as she opened the door, she heard Theodore's cries, each louder than the last.

Patrick was holding Theodore, feeding him formula. When he saw Vera, he looked a bit surprised, "Vera, didn't I tell you to go have fun today? Why are you here?" Hearing Theodore cry, Vera couldn't keep shopping. She was always thinking of Theodore, "Honey, my heart aches for him."

She rushed over and took Theodore from Patrick's arms.

Theodore finally saw Vera, his little mouth pouting in grievance, and his cries gradually stopped.

He had drunk half a bottle of formula and was crying again.

Vera, heartbroken, held Theodore and kissed his cheek, "Baby, Mommy won't leave you with Daddy next time. Don't cry." Theodore looked even more upset, as if Patrick had mistreated him. When he saw Vera, his little mouth pouted. Strangely, Theodore's cries stopped when he saw Vera.

Vera said, "Theodore recognizes his mommy now."

Patrick was more exhausted from Theodore's crying all morning than from any business battle he'd ever fought.

Theodore finally settled in Vera's arms, drinking the familiar breast milk, his tear-filled eyes gently wiped by Vera.

Vera sat on the sofa, and Patrick sat down beside her, tilting his head to relieve the tension in his neck. Then he looked at Theodore and asked Vera, "Is he this fussy at home?" Vera held Theodore's little hand, "No, when he wakes up, he clings to me. If I'm around, he just calls out a couple of times."

Patrick realized how tough it was to raise a child. He also noticed that Vera hadn't brought anything.

"You didn't buy anything today?" Patrick was a bit displeased that Vera hadn't enjoyed her free time.

"Of course I did. I had Cindy take it home for me," Vera replied.

Then Vera smiled at Patrick, "Honey, the money in my account isn't a round number anymore. I've recently developed a strange obsession with round numbers. What should I do?" Patrick's hand fell on Vera's head, gently rubbing it, "Without some skills, I really can't afford you."

He handed his phone to Vera, "Contact the finance department yourself."

Patrick then got up, took his water cup, and drank a few sips. He sighed, "I've been taking care of Theodore all morning and didn't even have time to drink a sip of water."