Chapter 85: Chapter 85: You Want President Kane to Comfort Ivana Monroe?
Leon Keane regretted his actions shortly after the satisfaction had worn off yesterday. He returned, especially when he saw the pale and red wounds on Ivana Monroe’s back, which pricked at his eyes.
Leon was filled with guilt as he carefully applied ointment for Ivana. When he went home, he couldn’t sleep all night, constantly wondering, how would she react when she woke up? Would she despise him?
Derrick Stern found himself in an awkward position as a man; putting himself in another’s shoes was challenging.
"President Kane’s friends, they’re either rich or influential, wouldn’t their female companions be eager to sleep with their benefactors?"
"That’s not necessarily true. Didn’t you hear President Kane say his friend acted on impulse? Besides, if the female companion were as you described, would his friend call President Kane for help?"
Secretary Sullivan felt Derrick Stern was a typical guy thinking money could solve everything. Does having money mean you can just sleep with female companions? Are all female companions born to be lowly? Dying for their benefactor to sleep with them?
What kind of logic is that?
Derrick poked Secretary Sullivan’s head with a finger: "Are you dumb? Haven’t you heard of playing hard to get? It’s a common trick female companions use on their benefactors."
Secretary Sullivan frowned, gently rubbing the spot Derrick poked, and retorted: "Straight guys like you deserve to be single forever."
Derrick’s mouth twitched as he glared at Secretary Sullivan: "You can’t beat me in an argument, so you resort to personal attacks? Acting like you’ve found a boyfriend already, women like you—dumb and foolish—won’t find anyone but some country bumpkin."
"Are you two done yet?" Leon Keane was annoyed: "I asked you two to advise, not to bicker here."
"President Kane..."
Leon shot Derrick a cold stare: "Shut your mouth."
He turned to Secretary Sullivan and said: "You speak."
Secretary Sullivan was delighted, giving Derrick a smug look, feeling President Kane was much better than this straight guy.
Secretary Sullivan imagined, if it were her, she’d cover her wounded heart with her hands: "If it were me, I’d never want to see that jerk again. Why would a moment of impulse mean he could sleep with me? Did he consider my feelings? Respect my thoughts? Taking without wanting to be responsible is just being a jerk."
Poof~
Derrick pressed his finger to his lips, trying to hold back laughter. This old spinster must’ve read too many romance novels. Really imaginative.
Leon listened intently and furrowed his brows: "Who said he doesn’t want to take responsibility? It’s that she looks down on the responsibility."
Derrick’s eyes widened. What’s going on? Playing hard to get has gone too far? Is she really that into the role?
Something’s not right! The woman should be the one into the role, why is President Kane so anxious?
Derrick suddenly realized a possibility. Could it be that President Kane’s friend... is really President Kane himself?
And the woman is... Ivana Monroe?
Derrick almost choked on his saliva. The amount of information was overwhelming, making it hard to digest at once.
Secretary Sullivan placed her hands on the table, curiously asking: "President Kane, how do you know she looks down on your friend’s responsibility? And not that your friend is making excuses?"
Secretary Sullivan felt Leon seemed a bit biased towards his friend.
"Are you questioning my friend? Hm?" Leon narrowed his eyes dangerously.
Secretary Sullivan shook her head in fright, now certain that President Kane was biased towards his friend.
"I want to know how to make the female companion forgive my friend."
Secretary Sullivan’s eyes darted slightly, a spark of inspiration in her mind, and she smiled as she said: "Send flowers. Girls love flowers. Send different ones each day to make her happy, and make sure to text her morning, noon, and night, so she feels your friend isn’t just playing around but genuinely cares and wants to be with her. I believe the female companion will be moved by the sincerity of President Kane’s friend."
"Hahaha... you’re telling President Kane to woo Ivana..."
Whoosh~
Leon shot a cold glance over, freezing the smile on Derrick’s face. He was filled with regret; damn it, he couldn’t help but blurt the truth after listening to the old spinster ramble on.
"President Kane? Ivana? Wasn’t it supposed to be your friend?"
Derrick winked at Secretary Sullivan, signaling her to stop asking. This silly old spinster was about to say it all.
Derrick felt his heart sink, inwardly groaning, things were screwed up.
"You’ll pack your bags and get yourself to Africa tomorrow, to take over the new project there."
"No, President Kane..."
"Get your stuff ready now and buy a ticket to leave."
Derrick reluctantly left, with Secretary Sullivan temporarily taking over his position as special assistant. She was overjoyed, shrugging in response to the departing glare from the straight guy. "You’re the one who spilled, not me," she felt.
"Daddy." The office door was once again opened, and a small boy appeared in Leon’s line of sight, none other than his son, Ian Keane.
"Ian?" Leon was slightly taken aback.
The young boy ran to his side and held out his arms, asking to be held. Leon instinctively picked him up onto his lap, sensing that his son seemed a bit off today. He glanced at the boy in his arms, whose handsome little face was still serious and unsmiling.
This was indeed his son, but the way he had called him "Daddy" felt as if Timmy was calling him. Was it just his imagination?
Secretary Sullivan looked at the boy in surprise, her eyes filled with hearts of adoration. This was young master Ian Keane? He resembled the CEO so much; it was as if he were cut from the same mold. Even his cool little expressions made him the CEO’s little replica!
"Why are you here at the office so early?" Leon found it curious. Ian had never come to the office like this before.
The boy’s face showed a touch of unease: "Grandma called the house and said she’s found someone for you to marry, giving me a stepmother. Little Ian doesn’t want a stepmother."
The boy hooked his arms around Leon’s neck, holding him tightly. Uncle Kane was his real dad; he couldn’t marry another woman, only his mommy.
His exchange of identities with his brother had a bit of selfish intention; he hoped his brother would accept his mommy.
Leon was momentarily stunned, realizing the reason for Ian’s unusual behavior today. So this was it.
Leon gently patted the boy’s tousled hair, speaking softly: "Other than your mommy, Daddy won’t marry another woman."
The boy was surprised. His brother’s mommy?
He had forgotten, his brother also had a mommy. But his mommy... Uncle Kane couldn’t marry her.
The boy’s eyes dimmed instantly. He held back the sadness in his heart, telling himself it was okay, really okay if Uncle Kane married his brother’s mommy. He hoped his brother could live a happy life.
As long as his brother was happy, he would feel happy too.
Because he had his mommy, he would always have his mommy’s love. Meanwhile, his brother’s mommy had been absent for six years, and his brother still didn’t know what a mother’s love felt like.
The boy’s eyes filled with mist, tears welling up, almost falling. He buried his little face into Leon’s chest, closing his eyes, and quietly let the tears fall away.
Suddenly, he realized, aside from Uncle Kane, he couldn’t accept anyone else as his dad now.