Morning light streamed through the cracks in the window blinds.
Jaden Lancaster rubbed his throbbing temples.
The dense wall of work emails on his phone screen was almost suffocating.
The company’s precarious finances, the steady stream of departing clients, the mountain of paperwork awaiting his attention…
it all felt like a boulder crushing his chest.
‘This is so infuriating!’
“Dad, wake up!
You promised we’d go to the zoo today!”
His son, Chase Sullivan’s, childish voice came from outside the door, accompanied by excited knocking.
‘The little guy must be overjoyed!
With Wynn Shaw, that homewrecker, gone these past few days, their little family of three has been so happy and harmonious!’
Jaden Lancaster took a deep breath, forcing down the fatigue and anxiety etched on his face.
He had promised Summer Sullivan he would take her and their son to the zoo to unwind.
It was a promise he’d made last night while she was crying.
“Coming,” he called out, trying to make his voice sound cheerful and normal.
As he changed in the walk-in closet, his mind drifted, and he couldn’t help but think of Wynn Shaw.
That woman would never demand he take her on an outing when he was so swamped.
Even when he had to cancel their plans for work, she would just offer a faint smile and say, “It’s okay.
Work is important.”
She always put his needs first, silently swallowing all her grievances and never causing him any trouble.
Once, he forgot her birthday.
He didn’t remember until he came home late at night, and when he apologized guiltily, she just smiled and said:
“You’ve been working so hard lately because of the company’s stock market issues.
I understand.” Then she brought out a bowl of longevity noodles she had been keeping warm for him.
All the thoughtfulness and tolerance he had once taken for granted now seemed so precious in hindsight.
‘If only Wynn Shaw could come back sooner.’ The thought surfaced uncontrollably.
The exchange program in Kaelus was supposed to last three months.
Only half a month had passed, but he was already desperate to see her.
It wasn’t just that the company needed her.
He, it seemed…
also missed that face, the one that always wore a gentle smile.
“Jaden, are you ready?” Summer Sullivan’s voice came from outside the door, interrupting his thoughts.
“Almost.”
He quickly fastened the last button on his shirt, stuffed his phone into his pocket, and put on a smile.
***
The zoo was bustling with noise, much more crowded with weekend visitors than usual.
Chase Sullivan excitedly pointed at the different animals, his little face flushed with excitement.
Jaden Lancaster held his son while Summer Sullivan looped her arm through his other one.
To any onlooker, they were undoubtedly a happy family of three.
“Dad, look!
Jaden Lancaster looked in the direction his son was pointing.
A Bengal tiger was lazing on a rock, basking in the sun.
He forced a smile, but his thoughts had already flown back to the office.
The financial report he’d received this morning showed that the Lancaster Group’s performance had dropped another 12% last month, pushing them out of the top ten companies in Eldoria.
If this trend continued…
“Jaden, look how happy our son is,” Summer Sullivan said joyfully, leaning against his shoulder.
“We should do this more often.
You work too hard and need to relax.”
‘Taking him out more often to create a warm, family atmosphere is the best way to keep a man.’
Jaden Lancaster nodded, but his gaze was distant.
‘Yes, he really did need a break, but the company’s situation made it impossible for him to truly relax.
If he weren’t trying to appease Summer Sullivan, he would be in his office right now, trying to figure out how to save the floundering Lancaster Group.’
In the dolphinarium, Chase Sullivan was completely engrossed, watching the dolphins leap in the pool and letting out surprised shrieks from time to time.
Watching his son’s smiling face, Jaden Lancaster’s tense nerves finally loosened a little.
‘Maybe Summer Sullivan was right.
Maybe he did need moments like this to temporarily forget all his troubles.’
Just as a dolphin leaped high into the air, drawing cheers from the entire crowd, his phone vibrated.
Catching sight of the name “Assistant Cheney” flashing on the screen, his heart tightened.
“I’m going to take this call,” he whispered to Summer Sullivan, getting up and walking to a quieter spot outside the stadium.
“What is it?” he asked, keeping his voice low.
“President Lancaster, this is bad.” The assistant’s voice was laced with panic.
“First thing this morning, Director Langley from the core department submitted his resignation, and his entire team resigned with him.
Now there’s panic throughout the company.
Everyone’s spreading rumors that Miss Shaw is never coming back, saying the Lancaster Group is a sinking ship.
Several employees from HR are already secretly looking for new jobs.”
Jaden Lancaster’s expression instantly darkened.
“What?
Director Langley left too?
Hasn’t he been with the company for four years?”
“He said…
he said he can’t see a future for the company.” The assistant’s voice grew quieter.
“And now, everyone in the company is saying that Miss Shaw left because you…
you kept dragging your feet on marrying her, and were even so intimate with Miss Sullivan.
They’re all saying that if even someone as loyal to you as Miss Shaw has left, then there’s definitely no hope for the Lancaster Group.”
Jaden Lancaster’s fists clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning white.
He suppressed his fury.
“Call a meeting with all department heads immediately.
I’ll be at the office in half an hour.”
“President Lancaster, there’s something worse,” the assistant stammered.
They said that in light of the Lancaster Group’s recent personnel turmoil, they’ve decided to suspend negotiations for the next round of investment.”
The news hit Jaden Lancaster’s chest like a sledgehammer.
Innovatech’s investment was his last hope for saving the Lancaster Group.
If he lost that too…
“Daddy!” Chase Sullivan had run over at some point and was hugging his leg.
“The dolphins can balance balls on their noses!
Come and see!”
The assistant on the other end of the line clearly heard the child’s voice.
He paused, and when he spoke again, there was a subtle, almost imperceptible hint of contempt in his tone.
“President Lancaster, if you’re busy…”
‘The company is in this state, and he still has time to go out and have fun?’
Jaden Lancaster felt a wave of humiliation, as if his irresponsibility had been laid bare for his subordinate to see.
“I’m coming back to the office right now,” he said hurriedly and hung up.
Summer Sullivan walked over, asking with concern:
“What’s wrong?
Is something the matter at the company?”
Jaden Lancaster looked at his innocent son and the worried expression on Summer Sullivan’s face, then thought of the utter mess at his company, and a sudden sense of powerlessness washed over him.
He shook his head, pretending to downplay it.
“It’s nothing major, just something I need to go back and handle.”
But Summer Sullivan was not Wynn Shaw.
She keenly sensed the heavy aura emanating from him.
“Is it serious?
Do you want me to go back with you?”
“No, it’s fine.
You stay and play with Chase.” He forced a smile and patted his son’s head.
“Daddy has work to deal with.
I’ll come watch the dolphins with you next time, okay?”
Chase Sullivan’s face immediately fell, and tears welled up in his eyes.
“You’re a liar, Daddy!
You promised you’d spend the whole day with me!”
A surge of irritation rose in Jaden Lancaster’s chest, but he had to patiently soothe his son.
“Daddy really has something urgent to do.
I’ll make it up to you next time, I promise.”
Just then, his phone rang again.
It was his assistant.
Jaden Lancaster answered with a frown.
“Now what?” His tone was already impatient.
“President Lancaster, I told everyone what you said, that Miss Shaw is just on an exchange program and will be back soon, but no one believes me.
The situation is critical.
Another five people from the administration and marketing departments have submitted their resignations.”
“They said…
they said Wynn Shaw isn’t coming back, and they don’t want to work under you anymore.”