Secretly Pregnant by the CEO

4.A Small Concern

“Anneth, you’ve been told to go to the back. Besides, there aren’t any guests yet, right? Hurry to the back, or Mr. will get angry,” Alice said quickly.

Anneth exhaled softly. “All right, I’ll go to the back first,” she said.

“Wait—what’s wrong with your cheek?” Alice looked shocked to see Anneth’s cheek still red.

“Blush,” Anneth replied briefly, then hurried to the back.

“Hey! Anneth! Do you think I’m blind or what!”

Anneth ignored Alice’s words. She stopped when she saw Daniel waiting in front of the locker, leaning casually. “Mr., sorry for taking so long. I wasn’t finished earlier, so I also handed the key to a guest,” she said politely.

Daniel turned, looked at Anneth, and straightened his posture to stand. “Come with me,” the man requested, then walked into the room.

Anneth stared at his back as he disappeared from view. She noticed the nameplate that read Boss’s Office on the door. “Boss,” she muttered, exhaling softly. “If Mr. really finds out, will he accept the children?”

Anneth let out a rough breath as she remembered her children at home and the memories from years ago. She quickly walked over and opened the office door.

“Sit on the sofa, not there,” Daniel said while preparing a compress.

Anneth saw all of this, gave a small nod, and immediately sat on the sofa. “Mr., I’m fine anyway.”

“Fine?” Daniel glanced at Anneth, wincing slightly. “I don’t want my employees to get hurt. What if someone says this place is too harsh for workers? I don’t want that to happen—it would harm my hotel.”

Anneth fell silent, digesting Daniel’s words. She hissed softly, laughing bitterly inside. “I thought it was Daniel’s concern … turns out he’s just like other men out there. Wealth and his women matter more,” she thought.

“Who did this to a woman? Don’t tell me it was that man earlier?” Daniel walked closer to Anneth and sat not far from her. He gently lifted her chin. “Not too bad, but it needs a compress.”

Anneth was silent, staring at the man without speaking. Daniel immediately pressed the compress gently to her cheek. The room fell into silence, with only the ticking of the clock breaking it.

Daniel exhaled roughly. “So, who hit you like this?” he asked while holding the compress to Anneth’s cheek, looking at her seriously.

Anneth was quiet for a moment, then exhaled softly. “That man earlier.”

Daniel frowned as he processed Anneth’s words. “So that man used violence against a woman? Does he have no brain? Should I speak up so he won’t hurt women again?”

Anneth sighed harshly. “Let it go, Mr. He was probably just angry.”

“No matter how angry a man is, he shouldn’t hurt a woman. If he’s brainless—or crazy—I wouldn’t be surprised,” Daniel said firmly.

Anneth stayed quiet, thinking over his words. After a moment, she sighed softly. “Thank you, Mr., for helping me compress.”

Daniel cleared his throat lightly.

Anneth set the compress back down after using it for a while. “I’ll get back to work.” She quickly stood up and bowed politely before heading for the door.

But she stopped and stepped back when she saw the door open by itself. Both Anneth and Daniel looked toward Alice, who stood there with a young boy.

“Sorry, Mr. I intruded, just now—” Alice’s words were cut off when Nicole interrupted.

“Mommy!” Nicole immediately let go of Alice’s hand, ran over, and hugged Anneth tightly.

“Nicole?” Anneth’s face showed shock at seeing her son here, clearly feeling uneasy. She glanced at Daniel, who was already standing beside her.

“Your child?” Daniel asked, looking at Anneth.

Anneth glanced at him briefly, grimaced, and nodded slightly. “Yes, this is my son. Sorry, Mr., I didn’t know he would come here,” she said with a small grimace. “Nicole, come with Mommy.”

The woman gently pulled Nicole out of the room. “Why are you here, Nicole? Didn’t you go to school? What if Mommy gets fired and can’t buy you toys anymore?” she asked, crouching down.

Nicole pouted in annoyance. “But Nicole was bored at home. The nanny and Nate went out too, they’re girls, so they’re not fun for Nicole.”

“Skipping school?” Anneth asked again.

Nicole was silent, then nodded slowly. “Yes, don’t be mad, Mommy.”

Anneth sighed softly.

“Mommy, what happened to your cheek?” Nicole asked, touching her red cheek. Anneth froze, holding Nicole’s hand and forcing a smile.

“Mommy’s fine. Now, let Mommy take you home, come on.” The woman stood up.

“Why are you sending him home?” Daniel, who had just come out of the room with Alice, said.

Anneth turned toward the voice, hesitating. “Mr., I just—”

“Let him stay here. I won’t fire you, as long as you can work comfortably,” Daniel said again.

Nicole glared at Daniel. “Don’t tell me you’re the one who hit Mommy!” the boy pointed at Daniel, then ran and bit his leg.

Daniel was taken aback and winced in pain.

“Nicole!” Anneth’s eyes widened in shock. She rushed forward, pulling Nicole away. “Oh my God, Mr., I’m sorry, Nicole misunderstood.”

Daniel sighed softly. “It’s fine. Just let him stay.”

“I’ll be happy to help look after Nicole later. He’s not that troublesome anyway,” Alice added.

Anneth paused, processing their words, occasionally glancing at her son, who stared at her with hopeful eyes.

“Mommy, just this once, okay? Nicole promises he won’t be naughty. He’ll stay quiet here, promise,” Nicole pleaded.

Anneth sighed deeply. “All right. But—” she looked at Daniel. “Are you serious? I can bring my son here?”

Daniel gave a small smile and nodded. “Yes.”

“Your name is Nicole? That’s a beautiful name. You’re also handsome, just like your Mommy,” Daniel suddenly said.

Nicole turned to him and chuckled. “Of course, my Mommy’s beautiful, that’s why I was born handsome,” he said casually.

“You brat. Where’s your father? Is he handsome too?”

Nicole instantly fell silent. Anneth froze as well and stood up. “Mr., better not talk about that.”

“Oh, okay. I didn’t mean to.”

Anneth exhaled softly. “Ah, right, your card fell earlier.” She reached into her pocket and handed Daniel his card.

Daniel raised his brows, then took the card from Anneth’s hand. “Thanks. Then I’ll go first. If anything happens, just tell me.”

Anneth nodded slightly. “Yes, Mr.”

Daniel glanced at Nicole briefly, then walked away.

“Mommy, is that your boss? If not, then who hurt you?” Nicole asked, staring at Daniel’s back as he disappeared.

“Mm, yes. Why? Forget it. Come with Mommy to the front.” Anneth took Nicole’s hand, then looked at Alice. “Come on, why are you still standing there, hey!”

Anneth quickly went back to her place and continued working.

***

“Huff, finally, my shift is over,” Anneth muttered with relief. She looked around for her son. Nicole was not in the chair prepared earlier. “Nicole? Nicole?! Oh my God, I completely forgot I brought him here.”

Anneth’s face turned pale with panic. She quickly got up and searched for him in the back. He wasn’t there. “Nicole, where are you?”

Anneth rushed outside and searched around the building. Her eyes brimmed with tears, praying her son would return safely. “Nicole!”