The CEO's Mischievous Little Bride

Randall felt a pang of sympathy as he watched Teddy, who was sleeping fitfully with his eyes closed. The moment Randall took him, Teddy sensed he was no longer in Vera's arms and immediately woke up, crying loudly. His teary eyes looked in Vera's direction, full of distress.

"It's okay, I'll hold him. Teddy's not feeling well and just wants to be with me," Vera said, taking Teddy back. She switched arms when one got tired and sometimes held him upright, letting his little face rest against her neck. As long as Vera was holding him, Teddy wouldn't cry, even though he couldn't see her with his eyes closed.

"You should go rest. Patrick has a headquarters meeting tomorrow, and since you're acting chief, you need to attend. I'll calm Teddy down and then head back," Vera reassured Randall.

Randall seemed more mature as he went upstairs and came back with a blanket, wrapping Teddy up like a newborn.

"I'm not tired. Let me hold Teddy for a while so you can sleep," Randall said, taking Teddy again.

"Don't be silly. I can sneak in a nap between classes tomorrow, but you have work. Can you sneak in a nap there?" Vera took the now-awake Teddy back, seeing Randall's concern. She then went upstairs to the bedroom, making sure Randall saw her.

Teddy finally settled down in the early hours of the morning, and Vera experienced firsthand how challenging motherhood could be.

Just as mother and son lay down, Patrick woke up. Vera shook her head at him, signaling not to speak, and gently laid Teddy down before lying down herself.

Patrick glanced at the clock-it was 3 AM. He turned on his side, placing a hand on Teddy to give him a sense of security.

Vera fell asleep quickly, but whenever Teddy stirred, it was Patrick who woke up, patting Teddy until he fell back asleep.

The next day, Vera handed Teddy over to Molly and left for school with Susan.

Patrick drove them, while Randall went to the office to prepare for the meeting.noveldrama

Having been with Patrick for a while, Vera knew the importance of his meetings. This one involved not just the Olteran Group's top executives but also overseas branch leaders. Ulysses and Jesse were expected to attend, along with many board members Vera didn't know.

Vera had once asked Patrick, "Patrick, I'm just curious. Why, when you were on the verge of becoming the world's richest man and leading the Olteran Group to be the most influential company, did you split off the most profitable part of the business and give it to Ulysses? Aren't you afraid he'll surpass you or refuse to return the company?"

"And now, you've given the former Vertex Innovations Group to Sophia. I don't quite understand."

Vera had heard about Patrick's decisions in class, where even the professors were puzzled by a businessman cutting off his own revenue stream just as he was reaching the top. It sparked quite a discussion.

Patrick smiled and asked, "Have you seen the architecture in our company's lobby?" Vera nodded. "What's the point?"

"One day, if you feel like it, visit the Miller Group's lobby and then the Morales Group. You'll understand."

Later, Patrick privately explained to Vera, a conversation known only to them and a few of Patrick's subordinates. "The companies I split off are still rooted in the Olteran Group. They're just branches, albeit very strong ones, so they separated. I hardly interfere with them.

"But if the Olteran Group ever needs them, they can't refuse to merge back. If I order it, they must comply. Whether it's Randall or Teddy in the future, if they want any company, it must return to headquarters.

"As for your concerns about them becoming stronger than me or betraying me, it's possible but highly unlikely. They all depend on the Olteran Group. Whenever the company is in trouble, the Olteran Group is their shield."

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Vera felt she was starting to understand Patrick, but not completely.

She pondered it for a while, feeling that Patrick's strategy seemed familiar.

One day in an elective class, Vera overheard a lecture on international relations, where ancient vassal states paid tribute to a dominant country, which in turn protected them from external threats. Vera had an epiphany.

Excited, Vera asked Patrick, "Did you model this on ancient history, creating 'subsidiary companies' like vassal states? But instead of them paying tribute, you invest in them and protect them."

Patrick pulled Vera into his arms, smiling. "You're getting it. The rest you'll figure out in time."

"Come on, Patrick, explain it to me."

Vera continued to study ancient history, trying to fully understand Patrick's strategy, but she never quite got there.

Sometimes, the questions would resurface, only for her to forget them again.

On the way to school, Vera thought about it again but didn't ask, as Susan was there. Some things were best kept between them.

After dropping Vera and Susan off, Patrick watched them enter the school before leaving.

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"Vera, did you not sleep well last night?" Susan asked, noticing Vera's dark circles.

Vera lightly pressed her cheeks. "Is it that obvious after just one night?"

"Your eyes are bloodshot, and you have dark circles. Was Teddy not feeling well again?"

Vera nodded. "He kept me up until 3 AM."

After parting ways with Susan, Vera headed to class with her books.

During breaks, Vera would check in on Teddy through the group chat. As a mom, her heart was always at home, especially when Teddy wasn't well. "Cindy, how's Teddy?"

Molly sent a video on WhatsApp.

In the video, Teddy was sitting on Cindy's lap, refusing to drink his formula and crying occasionally.

Shawn was taking his temperature.

Vincent asked, "Is Teddy's nose blocked? If it's cold, we can turn up the heat. I'll call the family doctor to come over."

Molly replied on WhatsApp, "Vincent, the doctor is already on the way. Dad just called."

Watching the video, Vera's heart ached. "Cindy, if Teddy doesn't want the formula, just give him water. I only have three or four classes this afternoon. I'll talk to my professors about attending other classes so I can come home early."