“Yohan was truly remarkable. Even the man mentioned that the woman was a challenging client and underestimated Yohan because he was a child. But Yohan managed to resolve the issue!”
Yvonne excitedly recounted the events to Estelle, displaying her admiration for Yohan.
Christina applauded, adding, “Wow, you’re amazing! Remember to let me know next time you have an argument with someone because I’m the best at arguing. No one can take advantage of us when I’m on your side.”
“Let’s not go looking for trouble, Christina. Besides, I don’t think Yohan argued with anyone. He probably persuaded that client through reasoning,” Estelle responded, her fatigue dissipating as she listened to her children’s innocent chatter.
Meanwhile, having left the meeting room to retrieve some documents, Vincent finally learned that Estelle had arrived with the children. Instantly, he set aside all other matters and hurried back to the meeting room with the documents in hand.
Cristofer was engrossed in a serious discussion with all the executives in the meeting room, addressing the company’s recent issues. Suddenly, Vincent knocked on the door, bursting into the room and interrupting the intense deliberation. The executives, alarmed by the abrupt entrance, immediately looked concerned, fearing a grave matter had arisen. Vincent swiftly approached Cristofer and whispered discreetly a message meant for Cristofer’s ears only.
Cristofer’s smile brightened as he asked joyfully, “Is she really here?”
“Yes, along with the children. They’re all waiting for you,” Vincent confirmed.
The executives breathed a sigh of relief. The presenter continued with his report, and Cristofer attentively absorbed the data. Meanwhile, Vincent continued to talk with him in hushed tones, “Boss, should we adjourn the meeting?”
Cristofer replied firmly, “No, let’s complete the work first.”
Vincent accepted his boss’s decision and returned to his seat, diligently taking notes during the rest of the meeting. Shortly after, Cristofer efficiently made the necessary decisions and rose from his seat, declaring, “That concludes our meeting for today.”
Cristofer swiftly handed his belongings to Vincent, surprised everyone by being the first to push open the door, and dashed to the reception room. His sudden appearance in the corridor startled the people who had been cheerfully discussing his family, prompting them to scatter in fear that their boss would reprimand them for loitering.
In the middle of the corridor, the receptionist hurriedly rushed to her desk, craning her neck to see that neither Vincent nor Cristofer intended to head to the office area to supervise the employees. Instead, they made their way directly to the reception room.
“Has Mr. Hans ever concluded a meeting this quickly before?” She couldn’t help but ask her colleague, “Moreover, he seems to be in an exceptionally good mood. He appears even happier than he did this morning!”
Cristofer had been the first to arrive at the company that morning, beaming with a radiant smile. Any employee who crossed paths with him found it hard to believe seeing him smile.
Her colleague gently touched her chin and remarked, “Perhaps that’s the influence of family and love. Mr. Hans and his wife must deeply care for each other. Those tabloid publications must have fabricated stories only for the sake of grabbing attention. It’s disgraceful. How could they claim that such an affectionate couple had divorced? I heard they’ve known each other since their teenage years. Mr. Hans is so forgiving that he didn’t even file a lawsuit against them.”
The employees of the Hans Group seldom discussed those rumors openly and only whispered about them when they met outside of work. However, after Estelle and the children made their appearance at the company today, those rumors seemed to lose all credibility.
Cristofer was engaged in playful antics with the children in the reception room while the employees gossiped about their boss’s content family life. As he swung the door open, three eager children pounced on him, nearly toppling him over if he hadn’t been standing near a wall.
“Be careful, your father’s leg hasn’t fully healed yet,” Estelle said with a hint of helplessness as she stepped forward to intervene.
“It’s alright,” Cristofer assured as he ruffled Yohan’s hair, the young boy almost reaching his waist in height. He then gently caressed Yvonne’s and Christina’s cheeks, casting a fond gaze at Estelle. “It’s fine. Let them enjoy themselves.”
A soft, affectionate gleam flickered in Cristofer’s striking eyes like a gentle stream. He appeared genuinely pleased.
Estelle’s heart melted at the sight, and when she noticed the children’s excitement, she playfully chided, “You’ll spoil them.”
The children obediently followed Estelle’s request and settled down, no longer treating Cristofer like a climbing frame. Under Yohan’s lead, the two girls guided Cristofer to the sofa where Estelle was seated, engaging in lively conversation with him.
Cristofer savored this warm atmosphere, and his face showed a constant smile as he interacted with the children. He would listen attentively to their chatter and occasionally offer words of wisdom. “I believe the most important aspect of the math competition is the process, Yohan. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
Despite Yohan’s early maturity, the idea of participating in a national competition was bound to generate some anxiety. He started to express his feelings but then thought better of it, mindful of his younger sisters. “Dad, I’m not that nervous. I’m more excited about meeting talented students from across the country.” He wanted to say he was anxious, but he swallowed his words after considering the presence of his younger sisters.
Estelle empathized with Yohan’s feelings and aimed to offer comfort. “That’s completely normal, Yohan. Even the bravest kids can feel nervous sometimes. You can always share your feelings with your dad and me. Besides, your dad is really good at math; maybe he can give you some pointers.”
Estelle had consistently been an attentive mother who paid close attention to her children’s emotional well-being. However, the Hudson Group had experienced significant growth lately, causing Estelle to focus more on work, potentially neglecting the subtler fluctuations in her children’s emotions. Yohan, being considerate, had refrained from expressing his anxiety to her.
Cristofer, still ensuring Yvonne and Christina stayed on the sofa with his protective hands, spoke to Yohan in a fatherly tone, “I’m not that skilled. Your mom is actually better at math than me.”
Vincent coughed slightly, trying not to burst into laughter. ‘My boss is good at pretending in his own way. More importantly, he looks sincere and reliable.’
With Estelle and Cristofer now in a harmonious conversation, Yohan felt comfortable expressing all his worries. Cristofer guided Yohan to sit between himself and Estelle, offering words of reassurance, “I used to participate in math competitions during my school days, too. There were times when I worried about losing, but I always felt relieved that your mom was there with me. And now, with your sisters and us by your side, you have nothing to worry about.”