[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-305":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},305,91,"Chapter 91: The Boardroom’s Tiny Tyrant","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Whatever Marcellus had been denied in his own childhood, he poured back into little Aurora ten-fold.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Who could have guessed that the once-feared \"Little Demon King\" of the capital—the man everyone avoided—would turn into a total softie after marriage? And once he became a father, he evolved into a full-blown, \"my-daughter-is-the-center-of-the-universe\" devotee.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He had actually converted half of his corporate office into a nursery, leaving only a cramped corner for his actual work.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Time slipped by, and under a canopy of constant love, Aurora blossomed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">One afternoon, Marcellus was deep in a board meeting. The department heads were taking turns presenting their quarterly results, project milestones, market feedback, and their strategic vision for the second half of the year. Marcellus sat back in his chair, eyes half-closed, perfectly poised and detached.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Daddy~\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The sweet, milky voice sliced right through the middle of the presentation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Under the collective, stunned gaze of the entire executive board, Marcellus stood up, opened the boardroom door, and scooped a tiny toddler with messy, adorable pigtails into his arms.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He pressed an affectionate kiss to her cheek. \"What are you doing here, Aurora?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I missed you, Daddy.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"My little heart-stealer. You’re such a good girl. Why don't you stay right here and keep Daddy company, hmm?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Okay~\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The jaws of the board members practically hit the floor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Continue.\" Marcellus didn't even blink as he turned his attention back to the department head.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man, Stefan Hall, was so paralyzed by shock that he stood there, gaping, for several seconds before his brain could reboot.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mr. Hall? Are we continuing, or are we finished?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With his daughter in his arms, Marcellus’s voice was uncharacteristically soft, bordering on melodic. But to the executives, that contrast was chilling. The man was a glacier, and the sudden warmth felt more like a prelude to a storm than a kind gesture.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Mr. President,* the executives thought in unison, *please, just finish us off. The psychological warfare is worse than a firing squad.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The little girl tilted her chubby, flushed face up to look at him. \"Daddy, I'm bored.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Meeting adjourned.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He cut the session short without a moment’s hesitation. Before anyone could even blink, their CEO had already walked out of the room, cradling his little princess.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Did he just… leave?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Man, that fake, icy smile he was wearing? Terrifying.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Tell me about it. My skin is still crawling.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Back in the president's office, Evangeline was lounging on the sofa, scrolling through her phone while sipping an iced caramel latte.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mommy~\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Little Aurora wiggled out of her father's arms and trotted over to her mother, her little legs moving with rhythmic excitement. Evangeline effortlessly scooped her up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Was Daddy handsome while he was working?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes! Daddy is the most handsome person ever!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The sweet, innocent praise made Marcellus’s heart liquefy. He couldn't resist wrapping his arms around both of them. \"My two sweet treasures. I truly don't know how I got so lucky.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline laughed, leaning in to kiss his cheek, and Aurora followed suit, planting a messy kiss on his other side. Marcellus found himself the filling in the happiest sandwich on earth.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Daddy, I cried at school today.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Why, my little treasure?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Aurora pouted, her large, glassy eyes shimmering with hurt as she gazed up at him. \"I don't like kindergarten. I don't get to see you or Mommy all day.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus stroked her soft hair. \"Then don't go. How about I just hire you a private tutor?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline shot him a mock-stern look. \"Marcellus, are you really going to spoil her like that? It’s her first day. Isn't it normal for her to be a little homesick?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus immediately retreated, shooting his daughter a look that clearly said: *Sorry, kid, Mommy is still the one in charge around here.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Aurora, an expert at reading the room, quickly chimed in. \"Never mind! I’ll go to school.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She was such a clever little thing, already learning how to navigate the social dynamics of the adults around her with a winning smile.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline patted her head, her eyes filled with gentle resolve. \"Be a good girl at school, Aurora. I’ll pick you up and drop you off every day, okay?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yay!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Aurora dove into her mother’s arms, her tiny lips puckered up, waiting for a kiss.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Mwah!*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The sound of the kiss echoed through the office. Aurora clung to her mother, rubbing her face against her like a happy kitten.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The way she acted was a mirror image of Evangeline. As Marcellus watched, fragments of memories flickered through his mind—their past, their journey, and the path that brought them here.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noticing his gaze turn distant, Evangeline leaned into his chest. \"What are you thinking about?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus pulled them both closer, inhaling her scent like he was addicted to it. \"Nothing. I’m just a little tired. Let’s go home.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sure. Aurora, we’re going home.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline picked up Aurora with one arm, leaving her other hand free to grab their bags. Over the past three years of carrying a child, her biceps had actually become quite toned.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let me take her.\" Marcellus reached out, but Evangeline deftly swerved away.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You said you were tired. I’ve got her.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No, I don't need to be carried. I can walk!\" Aurora wiggled free, grabbing her father’s hand with one of hers and her mother’s with the other, a radiant, blissful smile lighting up her face.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let’s go then.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"A perfect little angel,\" Evangeline whispered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Hearing the praise, Aurora held her head a little higher. As the evening glow spilled through the windows, casting a golden hue over the three of them, it looked like a masterpiece of a painting—a portrait of a life they had fought so hard to build.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272914795]