The CEO Gets What He Wants

A soft sigh escaped Cayden's lips. After threatening the little ones, I've got to coax the big kid now. I'm really quite a

failure as a father.

He rose to his feet helplessly and walked over to Avery. Then, he drew her close against his chest with his strong

arms.

Stroking one hand along her back in a comforting gesture, he said, “There, there. It was my fault. Don't be mad,

okay? I was only worried they'd get too picky with their food and that it'd affect their health. I won't be so fierce

toward them in the future.”

Seeing how sincere he was in his apology, Avery felt bad about arguing with him further. Nonetheless, she could not

help saying, “You've given your word today. You can't treat them like that ever again. They're still children, after all.”

His breathing became easier when he sensed she was no longer as angry as before.

Heaven knows how much I care about her feelings.

Meanwhile, Zachary and Rory had their hands resting against their cheeks as they watched their parents in silence,

thinking that the scene before them was utterly unbelievable.

Daddy has changed so much after Mommy came into our lives. Mommy is just amazing! Even a tyrant like Daddy

becomes obedient in front of her.

Both children were filled with admiration for Avery.

With that, the minor disagreement during breakfast blew over just like that.

After finishing their meal, Cayden and Avery hurried to the hospital with the kids.

It was the day of Leonardo's funeral, and Avery wanted to let the children “meet” the maternal grandfather they

had never met. I suppose it'll be their first and last time doing so.

Meanwhile, Dylan was sitting in his car outside the hospital. The acrid smell of smoke hung in the air inside the

vehicle, and numerous cigarette butts littered the floorboard. He had stayed up the entire night, and a half-burned

cigarette still dangled between his fingers.

He was well aware of who was by Avery's side at that moment, and he knew how deeply she misunderstood and

loathed him. Despite that, he could not stop thinking about her.

A pang of bitterness shot through his heart when he thought of her cold and aloof attitude toward him.

I resorted to deplorable means to force her into becoming my lawfully wedded wife, yet such a situation has

happened. How ironic is it that a husband must stake out the hospital for a chance to meet his wife?

Suddenly, he spotted a family of four at the entrance to the hospital. Oh, what an eyesore!

The tall man hovered protectively over the delicate and beautiful woman like a guardian spirit. The pair were

holding the hands of two angelic-looking children, looking as though they were indeed a warm and loving family.

Dylan watched as the harmonious and happy family was about to enter the hospital, and the sight agitated him so

much that his calm and composure flew out the window.

He stubbed out his cigarette angrily, then kicked open the car door and stormed toward them.

I was the one who met Avery first! She was so young and innocent at the time—as green as grass. I thought it'd be

a pity to approach her so soon and wanted to wait until she was older. However, I never imagined that my act of

kindness would give that brute, Cayden, a chance to swoop in ahead of me. How can I possibly accept that?

“Avery!” Dylan called out, his bloodshot eyes flashing with rage as he grabbed her hand. “As your husband, how

could you not let me know that something as serious as this has happened? Had I not heard from others about my

father-in-law's passing, were you planning on keeping it a secret from me forever?”

“Let go of me!” Avery tried shaking him off as hard as she could. However, he held onto her with a vice-like grip,

and she could not break free.

Seeing that, she sneered and scoffed, “Husband? I believe you know better than anyone else how this fake

marriage came about. In my eyes, you're no more than a stranger. No, not even that. You're nothing but a b*stard

who coerces women using despicable methods!”

Her words seemed to pierce Dylan's heart like a row of needles, causing his heart to ache.

Dylan smirked. Although upset, he acted as though he could not care less and delivered a cutting retort, saying, “So

what? Even if you don't love me, doesn't my name appear as your spouse's name? As long as I live, you're my wife

by law. You and Cayden will never get to be a couple openly!”

Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his wrist and had no choice but to release Avery's hand.

Fury spread across Dylan's face, but then he saw Cayden gripping his wrist.

Cayden was exerting so much force that Dylan felt as though his wrist was about to snap.

Dressed in a black hand-tailored suit, Cayden looked as noble and elegant as ever. However, his aura was so cold

and forbidding that the atmosphere around him seemed positively glacial.

“Today is the day of Avery's father's funeral, so I'm in no mood to pick a fight with you now. If you're also here to

say your final goodbyes, then be my guest. But if you're here to cause a scene, don't blame me for showing no

mercy even though we're cousins,” Cayden uttered. His gaze was piercing, and he radiated a murderous intent.

Seeming to sense the tension in the air, the children hid behind Cayden and Avery so that only their large, dark

eyes were visible as they peeked out at the adults. Neither of them dared to say a word.

Cayden let go of Dylan's wrist abruptly, then led Avery and the two children into the hospital with his arms around

them protectively.

Dylan glanced at his wrist, which was still hurting, and saw the severe bruising. That jerk! He's ruthless! Lucky for

him, I'm not going to take any action now. I'll take my time to settle the score between us next time. What's

important now is Avery's father's funeral.

Over at the mortuary, Leonardo's body lay inside a coffin, his face pale.

If it were not because he had no pulse, it would appear as though he was merely sleeping peacefully.

“Zach, Rory, my dears. Come over and pay your respects to your grandfather. It'll be your first and last time seeing

him,” Avery said, holding back her tears.

She led them over to the coffin so that they could personally pay their respects.

Zachary and Rory gazed at their mother's tear-filled eyes, then turned toward their maternal grandfather, who

looked as though he were asleep. Then, they bowed their heads obediently.

Looking solemn, Zachary said, “Granddad, it's my first time meeting you, yet you can't see me... Mommy says

you've gone to heaven. I hope you'll be well and happy there. I'm all grown up and am a big boy now. I'll take care

of Mommy for you in the future, so you don't have to worry.”

After that, Rory also introduced herself gravely. “Granddad, it's me, Rory. I'm Zach's baby sister, and I'm super

adorable. I can write, draw, tell stories... Oh, and I can dance too! I'll help Zach take care of Mommy, so you don't

have to worry about a thing.”

Avery's eyes brimmed with tears at the scene before her, and an overwhelming wave of sadness swelled within her

heart. She covered her mouth to suppress her sobs. Then, she felt a tall, strapping figure embrace her.

Cayden wiped away her tears and murmured a few words of comfort. Then, he said to Leonardo, “Rest in peace. I

promise that as long as I'm here, I'll never let Avery suffer any injustice.”

Standing as rigidly as a board, Dylan watched from a corner as the harmonious “family” said their last goodbyes to

Leonardo. Then, he sneered softly.