Rotten Twins: Making a CEO a Daddy novel Chapter 125

Mark laughed at the remark. “Don’t worry about that. I can afford my daughter.”

“An over-doting father only limits his daughter’s development!” Lyla gave her input.

Mark. “...”

Hansel fixated on his iPad without looking up. “Mommy, don’t be concerned about Daddy’s money. It is inexhaustible.” The tone sounded like it came from an experienced person.

“Oh, really?” Raising her brow, Lyla turned to Hansel. “You seem to have a good understanding of his finances?”

Hansel paused at his motion. He lifted his eyes to Lyla. “About that...”

“About what, huh?” Lyla probed.

“I only know Daddy’s good at making money and has an endless source of income but I don’t know how much.” Hansel answered in chuckles. He could not possibly tell Mommy that he had hacked Daddy’s information and looked into all his assets. Hansel could not keep count of his daddy’s name on all the properties.

Mark curled his lips while listening to Hansel’s explanation. It seemed like Lyla was still in the dark about certain things.

Although Hansel put it vaguely, Lyla never bothered to enquire further because she knew that Hansel would tell her when the time came.

She respected Hansel and Gretel’s space in this regard.

“Well, let’s leave it at that and think about what to eat,” Mark chimed in.

“Steak,” Gretel suggested.

“Buffet,” Hansel calmly answered.

“I don’t want a buffet. There’s nothing elegant to it. Daddy, let’s have steak, please.” Gretel acted cute.

Lyla kneaded her temples. Her daughter really was...

Was there a need to be pompous?

“What’s good about a family rigidly eating steak together?” Hansel looked askance at her.

“But...”

“Our bond can be enhanced through a buffet, plus it will be a lively dinner,” Hansel elaborated.

“I second the motion.” Lyla was not fond of eating steak while being bound by rigid table manners. She agreed with Hansel on that point.

Gretel. “...”

Having been convinced with the part about a bond, Gretel was willing to meet him halfway.

“Alright then, buffet it is.” Gretel yielded.

Afraid that his daughter might be unhappy, Mark voiced out, “It’s okay, we can have steak tomorrow to celebrate.”

“Really? I knew Daddy is the best.” Gretel pulled her charm and gave Mark a hug.

This trick really worked well with Mark. He appeared rather happy as the broad smile on his face added to his appeal.

In fact, this was his happiest moment.

Everyone whom he treasured was by his side.

With their cheers and laughter in view, Mark was struck by a thought that nothing else mattered. What’s more important was that they were by his side...

...

The car quickly pulled up at a restaurant.

As Mark had already made a call to place a booking, the family of four made a beeline to the private room once they got down the car.

The manager personally attended to them, offering selections of the buffet spread to the family and even serving them. He presented himself before Mark with humble reverence.

Once everything was prepared, Mark uttered, “You may leave. I’ll call you if there’s anything.”

“Alright, Mr. Pattison. Please enjoy.” With that, the manager respectfully withdrew.

After the manager was gone, Hansel posed a question. “Daddy, don’t tell me that this restaurant is your property?”

Mark raised his brows. “What if it is?”

Hansel. “...”

Gretel. “...”

Lyla. “...”

She knew that Mark owned many businesses but was unaware that he was involved in the food and beverage industry as well.

“Mr. Pattinson, you sure have businesses everywhere. “Lyla helped herself to the buffet.

“What am I to do? I have to work hard and make money to feed my wife and children,” Mark spoke as though it was a difficult matter.

Lyla. “...”

“Come, have your fill. It’s free,” Mark said as he served her greens.

She gazed at the vegetables on her plate. Mark seemed rather down-to-earth at this moment, unlike his ostentatious self.

Without overthinking it, Lyla dug in.

She had to say, a buffet was indeed a way to foster relationships. Gretel may whine that it was not graceful enough for her standards, but she had a fun time eating, so much so that Lyla was infected by the joy and had even helped Mark refill his food. She must have mistaken him for Hansel...

It must be so!

…...

On the other side.

Arden had made arrangements to acquire M.K.’s shares but it never occurred to him that the shares would bounce back up during Mark’s return to the company. With that, Arden was unable to acquire more shares and the measly amount of shares in his hands were less than sufficient to go up against Mark.

With that in mind, he swept the documents off his desk.

Mark Pattinson!

He managed to take Logan down, and now Mark had climbed up the ladder.

He was a split image of Mark. Anyone would suspect he was Mark’s child.

As she gazed at the photos, there was only one thought in her mind — They had known each other years ago...

Years ago, just how long back?

Looking at the kids, they were at least six to seven years old...

Kathleen was overwhelmed by an indescribable emotion.

“What? Shocked?” Arden raised a brow and asked.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Is there a difference between sooner or later? You’d find out either way and it’s not like you can do anything about it,” Arden muttered. It was a great feeling to see discoloration in Kathleen’s complexion. Finally, someone in his shoes.

Kathleen glared at him.

“Don’t look at me with those eyes,” Arden blurted.

“What are you really up to?”

“Only telling you the truth.”

Kathleen giggled following the remark. “You must be feeling terrible since you like Lyla that much, huh.”

With color draining from his face, Arden darted her an angry look.

Judging by the expression on his face, Kathleen knew she had made the right guess. “You only told me this to make me feel bad, right?”

Arden gave her a death stare.

Kathleen grinned. “Sure, I’ve been with Mark and loved him but he never reciprocated...” Kathleen had always been well-versed on that fact.

She believed that her actions would one day move him as long as she stayed by his side. It never crossed her mind that all that waiting would result in Lyla’s unexpected appearance.

On the contrary, Arden had adored Lyla for the past eight years. He had envisioned all the good but it never occurred to him that she would have two children with someone else. The eight years were so ingrained in him that he could not break the habit.

“A man’s possessiveness is stronger than a woman’s. You must feel terrible after finding out about the news,” Kathleen happily muttered. Arden was feeling whatever she was feeling. The both of them were torturing each other so that they could feel good about themselves.

“Shut up.”

“It looks like I’m right...” Kathleen restfully smiled with both hands propped against the table. Adorning a low-cut dress, she embodied gracefulness. “Who would have thought that although we go through different experiences, the outcome remains the same? I can’t have Mark and similarly, you can’t have Lyla...”

“Shut up!” Hot with emotions, Arden jolted up. “What are you saying!”

“Am I wrong? You don’t compare to Mark in every single way,” Kathleen retorted.

Her words struck a nerve in Arden. As his eyes turned savage, he went around the table and approached Kathleen from behind before locking her in his arms.

“What are you doing?” Giving him the side glance, Kathleen looked displeased as she asked.

Arden rubbed against her body and let out an eerie smile. “I’m going to let you know whether or not I amount to Mark...” With that, he pressed her down...