Her Reaction

Cassie thought about the idea of Theo a couple of times, and then she agreed the next day. She decided to visit her parents. Maybe it's time to face them. Just like others, Keagan is still her father, no matter what. And she's also curious about the old man's situation. She also hopes that Mira is running the company well.

"Are you ready?" Theo suddenly asked, catching her attention.

Cassie turned to her left and met the man's eyes. She gulped and nodded. "Yeah," she replied.

Theo then started the engine and sped away. As much as she wants to bring Camila, Theo disapproves of it since they must still stay in private.

Cassie won't worry about anything when it comes to her daughter. Her nanny is very dedicated to her duty; also, Theo has everything in control. It seems like she's living as if she's single. But, of course, she never fails to fulfill her duty as a mother. Even if she has work and is busy at the hospital, she still breastfeeds her baby after a couple of minutes of rest.

Although Theo suggested that she can focus on her career, she still needs to be a mother to Camila. During the weekend, she spent all her time with her daughter. Since they can't go out because of the security, they only need to stay inside Theo's mansion, from the beautiful garden to the playground.

According to Kurt, Theo did prepare everything before they arrived, and she was surprised.

Who would have thought that Theodore Smith could be this thoughtful?

"A penny of your thoughts?"

Cassie frowned and gazed at him.

"Aren't we too early for visiting?" She knew it was a nonsense question, but she was trying to lessen the awkwardness of the atmosphere.

Theo shook his head, still eyes on the road. "Nope. The earlier, the better. You knew traffic is troublesome."

Cassie couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. "There's no traffic in this city since the roads are wide."

Theo cursed inside his head. 'Damn it!' He almost forgot. Yeah, right. He's out of his mind then.

He then tries to divert the topic to another one. "How's work at the hospital?"

"Quite tiring."

"Do you really want to invest in an orphanage or hospital?"

Cassie arched her brow. "Hmm?"

"My company has a foundation. We do help children, PWD, and even elders. If you are really into this, you can handle my foundation."

Cassie gasped, not knowing how to react. "Wait… what?"

Theo glanced at her. "You're not deaf, right?"

Cassie couldn't help but roll her eyeballs at him. "I just want to make sure that I hear everything so right."

Theo shook his head as he continued to drive. "So…?"

"Sure. No problem."

Theo pressed his lips together and nodded. "Great. I'll tell my secretary to arrange everything. You have to know all our members, and of course, you take care of the lists. As you want to invest, you can add more that you want to support. The foundation launches a program every month. It depends on what category. But more of feeding and giving them their basic needs."

Cassie nodded while listening to Theo. Indeed, we can't judge a book by its cover. Theo is a kind man.

She couldn't help but let out a smile that didn't escape Theo's peripheral vision.

"Happy?"

Cassie took a deep breath and sighed. "I don't know that the well-known ruthless CEO is acting differently from the rumors."

Theo scoffed. "Only people who don't have other business but minding other people's life says all of that. How am I ruthless and heartless? When, in fact, my heart is inside my chest, pumping blood and making me alive?"

Cassie squinted her eyes. "That's natural. What they mean is that… you're cold. You have no emotion."

Theo laughed, which baffled Cassie. "I can laugh. I get angry. I can even scare the hell out of a scum bug who dares to throw a threat at me. So, how am I heartless? I can feel different emotions."

"And you're arrogant too," Cassie added.

Theo smirked. "That's part of my life. And I don't play arrogant if I don't know my place. So, bear with it."

"So, tell me. What's the reason for your behavior?"

Theo's grip on the steering wheel tightened, and Cassie was also surprised by her own question.

"I-I'm sorry."

Theo glanced once again at her. "Why would you apologize? Since you want to know me well—"

"What? I didn't mean that—"

Theo formed a sly smirk on his lips. "Don't deny it. To give you a summary of my almost lifeless living, it all started when they killed my wife."

After that revelation, she found silence filled in the inside of the car. She didn't ask any more questions until they had arrived at her father's house.

As expected, Mira and her mother were there. Cassie now wonders if the two recognize her.

"Good morning, Mr. Smith. What brought you here?" It was Mira, but her eyes were fixed on the woman beside Theo.

Theo then let out a half smile, which is unusual, and surprised the two in front of them. To give them so much surprise, he then reached for Cassie's hand.

Cassie then couldn't help but let out a soft gasp and met Theo's gaze. But the man just smiled at her before looking at the two in front.

"We're here to visit Keagan," he said.

Cassie frowned slightly. 'Keagan?' It seems like the man was used to calling her father just by his name.

Mira smiled. "Do come in. And you have a lovely girlfriend, Mr. Smith," she complimented.

Theo let out a smile—no, scratch that, it was a devilish smirk and said, "Thank you."

Cassie doesn't know if she will going to explain the misunderstanding, but then she suddenly remembers their deal. So, she just let Theo do the act first.

As soon as they entered the house, the interior didn't change. It's still the same. Cassie wonders why Mira still lives in their home when she's already married to Drake Carter.

When they were both about to climb the stairs, Theo stopped, and so did she. He turned to face Mira, who was already on Cassie's side.

"We can manage from here," Theo stated, making Mira arch her brow.

"I can accompany…" she didn't finish her words when Theo shook his head.

Mira knew Theo's simple gesture. In respect, she then let them. She then watched how Theo and the woman climbed the stairs until they vanished from her sight. She sighed and went back to the living room.

"Theo has a nice taste of a woman, huh?" Mira's mother, Myla, said.

"She's not that beautiful, Mom," Mira replied and sat on the single couch, frowning.

"What do you mean? She has the looks and perfect curves. Are you blind?"

Mira knitted her brows as she looked at her mom. "Mom, seriously? Do you already like that woman? I feel bad for her."

Myla sighed. "I can smell insecurity, Mira. Why don't you just be happy? Anyway, didn't Drake tell you to get ready?" she looked at her wristwatch, "By now, he's on his way."

Mira rolled her eyes. "You know what, mom. I felt tired every time I was with Drake. His mind is only for business, business, business. Geez, I need a break also. My friends have been calling me for a night out, and since Drake and I always had meetings outside, I don't have time for it," she asserted.

Myla couldn't help but frown. "You're married now. Support your husband. Besides, without the Carter, you're nothing."

Mira dislikes her mother's words. "What? Sooner, Dad will pass to me his assets. And I will be the new owner of the company—"

"You can't be sure of that. He has Cassie."

Mira laughed softly as she crossed her leg over the other. "That fat-ugly human being? She's gone, mom. We haven't heard about her for years. Gosh, she tainted dad's name by fucking another man."

Myla shook her head. "It's her life. Anyway, I think she will not be a threat to your inheritance. Your father hates her."

Mira smiled devilishly. "Indeed, mom."

On the other hand, Cassie felt pity as soon as she saw her father's condition. She couldn't help but walk closer as tears formed in her eyes.

Theo let go of her hand, and he stood near the door, letting Cassie have a moment with her father.

The old man was left alone when they entered.

"Is there any progress with his condition?" Cassie suddenly asked.

Theo walked closer. "You can check his daily record book over there," he said and pointed to the table on the left side of the bed.

Cassie reached for the notebook, and her forehead knitted as soon as she opened it. "What are these medicines for?" She looked at her dad. "This isn't for his recovery." She felt rage while reading the old man's record.

Theo shrugged. "Why don't you ask your sister or stepmother?"

Cassie gritted her teeth and turned to meet Theo's gaze. "This will not improve and doesn't quicken my father's recovery. Who the hell is his doctor?!" Now, she couldn't help but louden her voice.

Theo walked closer to her. "Calm down. We're going to ask them—"

"No. I want my father to be transferred."

Theo was surprised. He didn't figure out that this would be Cassie's reaction. He thought the woman would hate her father and leave him as he was.

Theo nodded. "Don't worry. I'll help you."

Cassie doesn't know what to feel at that moment. Her father might be strict with her at all times, but he is still her father, and the fact that they're not giving him the proper treatment makes it worse.

"Can I ask a favor?"

Theo slightly squinted his eyes. "Hmm?"

"Is it possible to let him leave at your house? If it's okay?"

Theo didn't hesitate to agree.

"Thank you, Theo," Cassie stated as her gaze was fixed on his.

Theo couldn't help but feel stunned at that moment, but he managed not to show it with his actions. He just nodded.