Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 573

Leo sighed, "The little guy just kept bawling. He wouldn't take his bottle at all."

Andre looked at his son's tear-streaked face, feeling each sob like a punch to the heart. The baby's cries weren't just tugging at his heartstrings; they were practically yanking them out. He fell silent for a moment, then continued to slowly feed his son with the bottle.

"You go ahead and work."

The little one cried for a while, exhausted himself, and with the pacifier in his mouth, he began to hum and haw, finally sucking a bit more vigorously.

Seeing the tot finally taking his bottle and quieting down, Leo left the office, reassured.

After the baby was fed, Andre walked around the room with him. When his son's bright eyes fixed on him, Andre whispered softly, "What are you looking at Daddy for, huh?" "Mmm!"

Andre engaged in a warm-hearted chat with his son, "Bringing you to the office and you make sure everyone knows you're here with those tears. Imagine, when you're running the show here one day, everyone's gonna remember the 'little boss' first visit was marked by a crying concert. Wouldn't that be embarrassing?"

The little one didn't know whether to be embarrassed or not; all he knew was he hadn't seen Mommy all day.

Later, the baby fell asleep.

When Andre tried to put him down on the couch to get back to work, the little one puckered his lips in protest. Resigned, Andre decided to hold him instead.

After several attempts, each time he lay the baby down, he'd make a face like he was about to cry.

Andre's son was strong-willed, and in the end, he just held him while he tried to work.

Two hours passed, and Andre realized he couldn't get anything done.

He looked down at the little bundle in his arms, "Is it this tiring for Mia at home too?"

The baby, sleeping peacefully in his father's embrace, kept his face turned toward his dad's chest.

Meanwhile, Mia, concerned, called her husband to check in, "Honey, is our son giving you a hard time?"

"No, he's being an angel."

"Is he taking his formula? Don't force it if he's not."

"He took some, now he's sleeping."

"Can you put him down in bed?"

"I'll hold him as he sleeps. Go enjoy yourself, no need to worry about us."

Mia seemed to believe they were fine without her, just giving an 'okay' before hanging up.

A few minutes after the call, Noah tiptoed into the office, careful not to make a sound. "Boss, the overseas division just sent their numbers; sales are down by five percent from last quarter. Looks like the Walker family is making moves." Andre took the report, spreading it out on the desk. "They tested the waters before, now they're testing my patience. Have I been too lenient lately?"

Noah stayed silent, and Andre closed the file, "Get the overseas division on a call. We'll have a senior management meeting in an hour." "Understood."

After responding, Noah glanced at the sleeping cherub in Andre's arms. "Boss, what about Henry when you're in the meeting?" Andre looked down at his slumbering son, considering the disruption a crying baby could cause in a meeting. "He can't come." Leo, who had just arrived, chimed in, "Uncle, why don't I stay and watch the kid instead of joining the meeting?"

Leo wasn't keen on immersing himself in business discussions. Even though he was capable, he'd rather avoid it if possible. Andre gazed at his son, his little body warmed by the winter sun, nestled against his chest. His paternal instincts melted. "Leo will take the meeting for me, with Noah assisting," Andre decided.

"Uncle!" Leo shot up from his seat, protesting, "That's not possible."

Noah observed the young Cedillo family member. Since Leo had joined the company, Noah had been discreetly keeping tabs on him as instructed by the boss.

He hadn't made any mistakes and had quick wits, often showing a knack for business reminiscent of Andre. The only 'issue', if it could be called that, was his lack of passion.

When Noah reported this to Andre, the boss merely hummed indifferently while watching his nephew through the office cam feed, hand resting thoughtfully against his lips.

Now, with Andre wanting Leo to take the meeting, Noah couldn't fathom what the boss was planning.

With a father's tenderness, Andre patted his son in his arms and addressed Leo, "You've just reviewed the data on our overseas division and formed some opinions. What's wrong with representing me at the meeting?"

It dawned on Leo then; the data his uncle had him review was a pitfall cleverly disguised with a dusting of dirt.

"Just for today, have him step in for my brother-in-law at the meeting!"

But Andre was playing a deeper game, his machinations hidden behind a veneer of concern. "Giving you a heads-up on the figures is just to prepare for the unexpected. I'm not scheming to have you take my place at the meeting." If his son wasn't up yet, he'd take his nephew, the one he'd been grooming since childhood, to the meeting.

But if his son was awake, he'd need a stand-in, someone who could fill his shoes-and that person could only be his nephew, Leo, whom he'd raised like a son.