The secretary looked troubled. "That's what the receptionist said…" he said.
Augustus frowned. "Send them up," he said.
After a short while, the secretary brought the two children up.
Augustus raised his head to look. The child walking in front was indeed his son, but who was the cute little girl behind him?
"You finally know that you should return home?" He put down his pen and stared at Hugo coldly.
Hugo also pulled a long face and looked at him coolly. "No, I'm very happy at my mother's place. I don't want to go back to the place that has that bad woman in it!" He retorted.
Augustus' eyes glinted coldly. "Hugo Astor, watch your words. The one at home is your real mother," he said.
"No she isn't!" Hugo retorted fiercely. "She doesn't look at me the way a mother should. She hates me, and wants me dead!"
"Hugo Astor!" Augustus' tone became sterner and anger faintly flashed across his face.
Although he did not like that woman, he did not want his son to be accused of not acknowledging his biological mother.
Hugo was extremely disappointed. "Why aren't you willing to believe me?" he asked.
Augustus' heart was indeed slightly moved when he saw how dejected his son looked.
It was not that he didn't believe him, but the DNA test report was written very clearly. It was an undeniable fact.
Aurora, who was listening at the side, was very confused. "Um… Sorry to interrupt, but… Hugo Astor, you already have a mother?!" she questioned Hugo with a dark expression.
Hugo shook his head and denied it vehemently. "No, I don't"
Aurora turned to Augustus and tilted her head as she asked, "Mr. Handsome, do you have a wife?"
Her big limpid eyes and her white dress made her look exactly like a little angel.
Augustus' expression softened involuntarily. "I don't," he replied.
"That's good then!" she said.
Aurora beamed with joy as she quickly walked around the desk and threw herself into Augustus' arms. "Mr. Handsome, can you be my father? My mother is very beautiful and capable!"
Augustus instinctively caught the little girl in his arms. He didn't know how to react when he felt the small and soft body in his arms.
Strangely, a corner of his heart seemed to have collapsed, becoming soft and aching.
"Who is your mother?" he asked.
Aurora's face was full of pride and excitement. "My mother saved Hugo yesterday!" she answered.
That woman again?
Augustus' expression chilled slightly.
He had already investigated thoroughly last night. Although this woman's identity was hidden very deeply, he still managed to dig out her identity with his extensive information network.
This woman was Courtney's half-sister!
It was said that she had gotten pregnant before marriage five years ago. Her reputation was ruined and she committed suicide in a broken alley.
However, for some reason, the person who was supposed to have died was still alive. Something about this made Augustus wary.
It was already very unpleasant for his son to insist on calling this kind of woman his mother. Now, this woman's daughter wanted him to marry her?
Who did she think he, Augustus Astor, was?
It seemed that Madeline and Courtney were just as bad as each other. They were both greedy and vain women who used their children to scheme!
Augustus opened his mouth to speak, but he swallowed his words when he saw the bright smile on the girl's face.
Forget it, she was just a child looking forward to having a father.
When he saw that woman, he would teach her a lesson!
Half an hour later, in the cafeteria of Astor Corporation.
Many staff members secretly glanced at the three people, two children and one adult sitting in the center of the room.
The news rapidly spread among the employees.
"Oh my gosh, I saw the CEO bring his son and daughter to the cafeteria for dinner!"
"Daughter? Doesn't the CEO only have a son?"
"But that little girl calls the CEO Daddy!"
…
Augustus felt a headache coming on as he watched the little girl calling him daddy.
He seemed to feel that something was amiss.
This little girl called him daddy in front of so many people, but he could not seem to find the heart to deny it.
However, when he saw Aurora's innocent and bright smile, Augustus felt that he was overthinking.
"Daddy, eat this," Aurora said.
She placed the food on Augustus' plate and flashed him a sweet smile.
This scene was too heartwarming. Augustus' expression softened and there was a rare gentleness in his eyes.
He looked regretfully at the grim-faced Hugo, and the thought of wanting Aurora to really be his daughter actually rose in his heart.
As the three of them were eating happily, they suddenly heard the sound of someone gritting their teeth behind them.
"Aurora West!" A voice sounded from behind them.
The food on Aurora's fork fell onto the table with a clatter. She frantically hid in Augustus' arms. "Daddy, save me!" she said.
Madeline rushed over aggressively and tried to pull Aurora out.
Augustus frowned when he saw her rough actions. He pushed Madeline's hand away and pulled Aurora into his embrace. "Be gentle!" he rebuked.
Madeline: "…"
Was she seeing things?
Before she could react, Hugo, who was sitting with them, jumped down too. He hugged her thigh and shouted happily, "Mommy, you're here too!"
Augustus: "…?"
Madeline: "…?"
Something seemed to not be quite right?
Madeline forced a smile at Augustus. "Mr. Astor, it seems to be my daughter that you're holding in your arms?" she asked.
With that, she carried Hugo over. "Here, this is your son," she said.
Augustus silently let go of Aurora.
Madeline was about to grab Aurora to settle scores, when Hugo suddenly rushed over again and hugged her thigh tightly.
Madeline was about to take a step forward when she stumbled and fell forward uncontrollably!
"Ah!" She cried out.
Madeline could only watch as the ground got closer and closer to her face. She screamed uncontrollably.
However…
Her vision suddenly blurred, and Madeline felt herself being pulled into a hard embrace.
At that moment, a cool and fragrant woody scent entered her nose. It was cold yet also elegant, just like Augustus' personality.
Madeline's heart skipped a beat.
Why does this smell… smell so familiar?
"Miss West, you've already been in my arms for a minute. How much longer are you going to stay?" Augustus looked at the woman in his arms impatiently, a trace of mocking flashing across his eyes.
As expected, she had already thrown herself into his arms. Her true colors were revealed so quickly!
Madeline came back to her senses and hurriedly retreated out of his embrace.
The two kids at the side covered their mouths in excitement. Seeing the two of them touching each other intimately, they fervently wished they could send them to the church immediately.
Madeline gave a warning look at Aurora, who's eyes were full of an intent to gossip, and smiled awkwardly. "Haha… Sorry, I slipped," she said.
Augustus gracefully picked up a tissue to wipe his hands as a cold smirk appeared on his face. "I hope that Miss West's feet won't slip in front of the children again. What a bad influence," he said.
What?
Bad influence, my a*s!
What did this scumbag mean?!