Mommy，We Got a Husband

Hearing Alaric's question, Tommy jumped up and said, "Mr. Knight, you're still here too? As the new guy, I gotta learn the ropes."

"Ambitious and eager, I like that," Alaric said. "But the company's in hot water right now, and folks are watching. Better not burn the midnight oil at the office."

If people found out employees were pulling all-nighters, the media would have a field day, claiming Nexus Innovations was working its people to the bone. Best to steer clear of that mess. Tommy nodded, "Got it, Mr. Knight. I'll shut down my computer right now."

As Tommy closed his laptop, Alaric caught a glimpse of his screen just before it went dark.

It was a photo from a high-level meeting, snapped with a phone, with Stellan front and center.

'Tommy has picked this photo as his wallpaper. Who does that?'

"Mr. Knight, I'm heading out. See you tomorrow." Tommy packed up and took the employee elevator.

Alaric watched him go, then took his private elevator.

When Alaric got back to the villa, Rowena was there. She greeted him, "Mr. Knight."

"You're here?" Alaric replied. "I need to handle some work in the study. Can you keep Galatea company for a bit?"

Rowena nodded. "Sure thing."

Before heading to the study, Alaric checked on Stellan's face, which was all healed up. "Does it still hurt?"

Stellan shook her head, "It stopped hurting ages ago."

Alaric smiled, "Good. I gotta deal with some paperwork. Rowena will keep you company."

Stellan nodded, "Okay."

"Wait for me." Alaric gave her a light kiss on the cheek where she'd been hit, then went into the study.

"You two are still as lovey-dovey as ever," Rowena said, having seen the whole thing. "I told you, you're overthinking it. There's nothing serious; you're just scaring yourself."

Stellan forced a smile, then looked towards the study. "I caused such a mess for Nexus Innovations, and Alaric hasn't blamed me. He's been comforting me and taking care of my feelings. I really..." Rowena cut her off, "Feel guilty? Feel bad?"

Stellan nodded.

Rowena got it and hugged her, patting her shoulder. "Don't think like that. It's not your fault. You wanted to start a jewelry company to help Nexus Innovations. The contractor's bidding was discussed in a company meeting. This was a construction accident, not your doing."

Stellan looked serious, "True, but it happened on my watch. I can't dodge the responsibility."

"I get it." Rowena totally understood.

She'd seen the online comments too. Those nasty, abusive comments made her feel for Stellan.

These keyboard warriors knew nothing, just acting all high and mighty, tearing others down.

"You look wiped out. Haven't slept well these past few days, huh?" Rowena asked.

Stellan felt like she was on the edge of a breakdown, even walking felt shaky now.

"Get some shut-eye tonight. Ignore those online trolls and stop beating yourself up. Mr. Knight said he'd handle it, so let him do his thing," Rowena said gently. "Alright," Stellan replied, then asked, "What about Cormac? Is he caught up in this too?"

Rowena nodded, "Yeah, he said he'd swing by to pick me up later."

Stellan apologized, "I'm sorry, Rowena, for making you stay with me all afternoon and not even having dinner."

Since Stellan had no appetite, she forgot to let Rowena eat.

"It's cool. Before I retired, I almost never ate dinner. I'm used to it." Rowena checked the time and suggested, "Wanna take a walk in the yard?"

"Sure," Stellan agreed and quickly told Mia, "Mia, Alaric hasn't eaten either. Can you whip up something and take it to the study?"

Mia nodded, "Got it, Stellan."

Rowena said softly, "See, you two still care about each other. That's real love. As long as you understand each other, you can get through anything. It's all temporary." Rowena's words made Stellan feel better, and she smiled, nodding.

Rowena stayed with her for a bit, and then Cormac came to pick her up. By the time they left, it was already late.

Seeing that Alaric hadn't come out of the study yet, Stellan gently knocked and walked in, noticing he hadn't touched the dinner Mia brought.

"Still at it?" Stellan asked softly as she walked over.

Alaric looked up, "Almost done, just finishing this document."

Stellan glanced at the papers he was reading, full of data reports from the past month.

"I'm sorry, Alaric. I wanted you to rest and recover, but now you're swamped with work," Stellan said apologetically.

"How many times have you said sorry lately? If you say it again, I'll really get mad." Alaric pulled her onto his lap.

Stellan hugged him. "Okay, I won't say it anymore."

"That's better." Alaric asked, "Rowena left?"

Stellan nodded, "Yeah, Cormac came to get her."

Mentioning Cormac, Alaric remembered what Silas had said about her and Cormac discussing something that day. He called her, "Galatea." "What?" Stellan looked into his eyes.

Alaric continued, "My mom's plan to kidnap you-you said you didn't have proof, so you didn't tell me. But besides that, is there anything else?" Stellan was stunned. 'Anything else? Why's he asking this now?'

"No, there isn't," Stellan said slowly. "I'm really sorry about Mrs. Knight. I regret it too. I didn't mean to hide it from you. She's your mom, and you weren't well. If you knew, you'd be stuck in the middle, which would be tough for you. So I..." Alaric said, "I get it. I'm not blaming you. It's just that everything's happening so fast, and my head's spinning."

Stellan stayed silent, just looking down.

Alaric asked, "Galatea, we're a team. No secrets between us. If something's on your mind, don't hide it. I'll ask again, is there anything you're not telling me?"

Stellan thought, 'What? Anything else I'm hiding?'

Then she remembered the threatening package. That was the one thing she hadn't told Alaric.

But with the company already in deep trouble, how could she bring this up now?