My CEO 349

349 Settling In, or Not

(Winona)

This place is stunning. Truly. But it's not made for kids. Not in the slightest.

Everywhere I look, staff are bustling around, preparing everything as if royalty are about to arrive. I glance at Jayden, watching as someone pours him a drink.

He's trying to hide it, but I can see a bit of embarrassment on his face. Not enough to stop it, though. He's sitting in an armchair, with a staff member standing by waiting for the next instruction. "This is... a lot," I murmur as I lean in closer.

He shrugs. "It's their job, Winona. I can't just sack them"

"I get that," I say, running a hand through my hair. "But they're doing everything. How are the kids supposed to learn anything here if someone's doing every little thing for them?"

"They can still learn. Just... we'll work it out," Jayden tries to reassure me. "Look, I know it's overwhelming right now, but let's just give it a few days, okay? We'll figure out a routine that works for everyone."

I'm not convinced. I can already tell this isn't the environment where I want to raise the kids. But I nod,

trying to push down my concerns.

"Let's go see the kitchen," I say, tugging at his hand.

He follows me, and when we enter, the sight that greets us is exactly what I expected-chefs everywhere, chopping, prepping, organizing. It's like something out of a high-end restaurant.

"Uh..." Jayden scratches the back of his neck. "Okay, yeah. That's a bit much."

"I can't teach the kids to do chores in here," I point out, gesturing at the gleaming countertops, the spotless floors, the precision with which everyone works. "How am I supposed to get them to help with dinner if we've got a five-star restaurant staff?" Jayden chuckles, trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe we can put them in chef school while we're at it?"

I roll my eyes. "This is serious, Jayden. This isn't a home-it's a hotel. I'm not sure why Gus would expect us to live here."

"I know. But give me a couple of days to figure it out, alright? We'll

T

but my gut tells me this was a

the kids outside with Henry in his arms. I take a moment to breathe, and that's when Viktor

look like you could use a break," he says

I mutter, shaking my

to see the cottage? I can

I say. "The fresh air might clear

+25 BONUS

Setting In or

grounds are vast, but they're beautiful. Rolling hills, manicured gardens, and the kind of countryside that makes you feel

big family, right?" I ask, breaking

grin

I smile. "That's incredible. You must have been

that," he admits. "But my parents were always there. My mom's a doula, herbalist... She raised us with a mix of tough love and

her, too," I say, genuinely intrigued. "I could probably use some of her herbal wisdom

plenty

the landscape.

a cottage. It's huge. At least eight bedrooms, from the looks

ask, pointing at the large structure in

"That's it," Viktor confirms.

mutter, eyeing the building. "It's bigger

royal family gifted it to him. He had plans for a life in this cottage. A family. But when

this place has

much," Viktor nods. "Gus used the mansion to house all the valuable things he collected over the years. But the cottage? That was supposed to be the heart of his family life. When Judy shut him down, he shut

the cobwebs clinging to the windows. "Seems like he was protecting his heart

"You're not

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