Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard)

Chapter 12 The Strategic Retreat

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Eloise's first day of preschool was treated with more ceremony than a college freshman orientation, at least where Caroline and Alistair were concerned.

Early that morning, Caroline dressed her in a pretty,

comfortable long-sleeved floral dress, carefully braided her hair, and pinned it with sparkling crystal clips. Together with Alistair, they escorted her to preschool.

They deliberately arrived early, and were greeted by both the principal and Eloise's teacher, who personally came out to welcome her.

When Alistair saw the teacher, he secretly breathed a sigh of

relief. She wasn't from Daniel's class.

Thank goodness.

Daniel was thoroughly spoiled and completely out of control. Alistair was summoned to school at least twice a week-either to hear complaints about Daniel's unmanageable behavior, or to grovel and apologize to the parents of children he'd bullied.

Day after day, he kept bending over backwards for the other parents, never standing up for himself.

He had no authority to discipline Daniel, while Rebecca, who never had to face the cold stares and anger from other parents,

Chapter 12 The Strategic Retreat

couldn't be bothered to take Daniel's misbehavior seriously.

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If that little monster had actually been Alistair's biological son, he would have spanked him ten times a day until he learned to behave.

If Eloise had ended up in the same class as Daniel, Alistair would definitely have suggested that Caroline request a transfer to another class.

Eloise was a sweet little princess who wouldn't hurt a fly. If Daniel ever bullied her, Alistair would never let him hear the end of it!

After forgetting to pick up Daniel on the first day, Richard seemed determined to make amends. He'd become noticeably more attentive to Daniel, even volunteering to take him to preschool despite his rush to get to the office.

To be fair, relying on Rebecca to get Daniel to school would probably result in him being late every day.

She'd grown accustomed to her carefree lifestyle without responsibilities, with no concept of time and sleeping in until whenever she naturally woke up.

Daniel suddenly turned his head, staring in a particular direction. "Daddy! I think I see Daddy over there."

Richard followed his gaze to where a man was ducking into a Maybach. His profile looked somewhat like Alistair's.

Chapter 12 The Strategic Retreat

possibly be Alistair?

saw Daddy! That

darkened. "Danny, how many times do your mother

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Cordelia

shifted from worry to anger. "What is Alistair thinking, letting you get into this

and tell him to come over. I need to have a serious word with

barely sleeping for two days straight, Rebecca was running on

wasn't quite as perfect as Alistair's cooking, which always seemed to

forever. Rebecca had eaten her meals for years before moving out. The familiar flavors were practically imprinted in her

information to Vivienne,

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her face while secretly planning his exit strategy

that if Alistair were standing in front of her right now, she'd make him regret

him back then-insisting on keeping that child in your belly, determined to bring Danny into the world-your father and I would never have accepted him!" Rebecca's relationship with Alistair had shocked everyone when it first happened. They weren't just from different social circles. Aside from his looks, Alistair brought absolutely nothing to the table

of, but her love-struck brain wouldn't listen to reason and she

him.

man," Cordelia continued. "Even with his modest circumstances, your father and I reluctantly accepted him. But what's going on

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because just thinking about Alistair irritated her.

to tear him to pieces to

talking about

not understanding the true sentiment behind Rebecca's words, misinterpreted them as a defense of Alistair and

would make her lose control of the anger bubbling up inside her, Rebecca decided to call Anne to

she's busy? I bet she's

and more gossip.

or belittle

of harmony, it was purely superficial. Anne couldn't stand Vivienne's air of superiority, while Vivienne despised Anne's pettiness and

touch to maintain family connections. Otherwise, they wouldn't even acknowledge

really don't understand." Anne continued,

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mighty? So why is she so fond of picking up other

help thinking that Alistair wasn't exactly "leftovers", strictly

side since he was eighteen, with no chance to be with other women. On paper,

Suddenly she felt annoyed.

should Vivienne get

warned thoughtfully, "if you ask me, you getting upset is

what Alistair wants."

do you mean?"