SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 348
349 Back At The Estate
348 Back At The Estate
(Jayden)
Hugo steps forward, giving me a tight-lipped smile. "Welcome home, Mr. Brennan. The staff are ready to accommodate your needs."
I nod. "The kids need to let off some steam."
"I certainly hope you don't mean in here." Hugo frowns,
"This is their home now, Hugo. Relax. Kids, go explore outside but not too far from the house," I tell them.
"Please be aware there are rare flora species in the grounds."
They just look at Hugo like he's an alien.
"Stick to the paths." I explain.
They a
are gone with an entourage of staffers trying to keep up.
Winona is back from changing Henry and she glances around the reception room, her expression tight.
"This place is incredible, but I'm worried about the kids here. They're just normal kids, and all this..." she gestures at the antiques and delicate furniture, "isn't exactly kid-proof."
Hugo's smile fades a little. "The children will need to understand the importance of boundaries, Mrs. Brennan. This is not a playground.
Winona doesn't miss a beat. "I get that. But they're kids. They don't grasp the concept of protecting antiques. They just see space to run around."
I can see where this is heading. I step in, trying to defuse the tension. "Look, we can set some ground rules for them. They can't run around with all this fragile stuff, but they still need to have space to be kids."
Winona crosses her arms, her tone firm. "This place is a disaster waiting to happen. We need to pack some of this away, or better yet, find somewhere more suitable to live where they can play safely."
Hugo's face tightens even more, and I know he's not liking this conversation one bit. "With all due respect, Mrs. Brennan, the house is as it has always been. This is where the head of Nexus Global resides. These items are valuable, moving them is not advisable."
Winona bristles, her voice cutting. "Not advisable? What's not advisable is expecting young children to navigate a maze of priceless dust collectors. It's almost as ridiculous as the staffing level."
I can feel the tension between them rising, and I step in again, trying to keep the peace. "Winona's got a point, Hugo. But, also, I don't want the kids thinking they can run wild with no boundaries, babe."
Hugo clears his throat. "If I may, Mr. Brennan, boundaries are essential. Children need to learn discipline."
Winona shoots back before I can speak. "Discipline? They're children, not soldiers. They need room to breathe, to explore. We're not trying to raise them in a damn museum."
"Mrs. Brennan," Hugo replies, his tone clipped. "This house is Gus's legacy, and it needs to be treated with the respect it deserves. If they're unable to understand that, perhaps we need to reconsider how they're supervised." 240 Back At The Erlate
+25 BONUS
The implication that our kids need more control doesn't sit well with Winona. Her eyes narrow, and I can tell she's close to snapping.
"Maybe we e need to reconsider the priorities of this place, then," she shoots back. "Because right now, my kids' safety and happiness come first, not Gus's legacy
Then she turns to me. "If you want us to live here, and you don't want anything damaged, pack them away. you can't have both."
I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "Okay, okay, let's find a compromise. There are gust wings we can look at. You may find one of those more suitable."
"Maybe the old cottage in the back paddock is more your style." Hugo half mutters and half challenges Winona with his sarcasm.
He must be on a death wish today.
She glares at him. "Cottage? I like the sound of that. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Deveraux." Her sarcasm is not lost. "Perhaps you can show us to that once the kids have had something to eat. If it won't get your leather brogues too messy." Iglance at Viktor and his eyes dance with amusement,
"As you wish." Hugo answers, but he isn't smiling.
"Good," I say, trying to bring this to an end. "In the meantime, we'll have some space cleared for them to play safely around the main living area, and everyone can calm down."
We head further into the house, and the kids are already poking around. Bobby's eyeing some enormous painting, and Abby's running her fingers over the marble-topped side tables.
Winona glances over at me. "This place isn't a home. It's a damn oversized bachelor pad and testament to ego."
"I know," I admit. "We'll work something out. For now, let's settle in and get the kids sorted."
She nods, but I can tell this house is already making her uneasy. I can't blame her. The whole place. screams 'don't touch,' and kids don't exactly thrive in that kind of environment. But I'll make sure everything works out. I have to.
As we start to settle in, I pull Winona aside. "We'll make this work. I'll talk to the staff and get them to clear out the fragile stuff. But the kids will need to understand they can't just run wild." She lo
looks at me, searching my face. "I know that, Jayden. But we can't let this place stifle them. They're still kids."
I pull her close, kissing her forehead. "I got this. Trust me."
I smile at her. "You know what, maybe I'll bring Viktor's mom over sometime. She's got a whole herbalist.. midwife thing going on. You'd like her. And she's raised twelve kids." "Twelve? Wow." Winona's face softens. "Yeah, I'd love to meet her."
"Good," I say, feeling more in control of things. "We'll figure everything else out."
+25 BONUS
349 Setting In or Not