Two folded papers fluttered to the ground.
Stanley bent down and picked them up.
"What's this?" he asked.
"Oh! Mommy said to give it to you!" Vivi chirped, already tearing open a chocolate bar.
Stanley narrowed his eyes. "Brat, why didn't you give it to me earlier?"
Vivi paused mid-chew and frowned. She waited until she'd swallowed (Natalie *did* raise her with manners, after all), then said sweetly, "I forgot, Daddy."
Stanley looked like he wanted to shout. His eye twitched.
*This is why I don't like kids,* he thought with a sigh. *Always forgetting the important stuff but never the snacks.*
He unfolded the first paper.
---
Name: Vanessa Citadel
Age: 6 years
Likes: Mommy, turtles, chicken nuggets, chocolates, singing songs
Dislikes: I won't tell you. You'll bully my daughter.
P.S.: She is a sweet child with an innocent heart. Don't tease her too much. She's an angel who'll shower you with love that you all deserve. Please take care of her.
---
Stanley raised a brow, his expression unreadable. Something in his chest shifted slightly, but he ignored it.
Then he looked up—and immediately regretted it.
The so-called "angel" was now covered in chocolate. Her cheeks were smeared, her hands sticky, her mouth happily chewing.
He scowled. "Henry. Wipe that brat's face and hands."
Henry jumped to attention, rushing over with tissues like he was responding to a national emergency. Inside, his heart was weeping. *Why is this baby so cute? Why is my boss so cruel?*
Stanley unfolded the second note.
---
To Stanley, Maverick, Neville and Joshua,
It's been a long time, hasn't it? Six years is no short period. I'm sure by now you all hate me—and honestly, I wouldn't blame you. I disappeared without a word.
But right now… I'm asking you for a favor. I know, I know, it's shameless. But I've got no one else.
I'm not with Vivi's father anymore. And I don't want to get into it in a letter. I'll explain everything when the time is right. My parents… they want to separate me from Vivi. They think she's a disgrace.
But she's not. She's my miracle.
I'm in a tight spot right now, and I need time. Around a year, I think. Until then, I'm leaving Vivi with you. Please protect her, keep her safe, and whatever happens, *don't tell anyone who she is.*
I know she'll be a handful. But she's sweet. She'll love you all with her whole heart. Just… don't push her away, okay?
Also, I heard you're all still single—so congrats! I've gifted you a *once-in-a-lifetime opportunity* to be dads. You're welcome. I told her to call you all 'Daddy.' No take-backs!
Take care of my baby. I'll come back when it's safe.
Love,
Natalie Citadel
Stanley stared down at the letter for a long time, not moving, not blinking. His expression was unreadable, but the emotions underneath were anything but calm.
Confused. Upset. Angry.
Confused, because what exactly was he supposed to do with a kid now? He wasn't running a daycare. His hands were already full managing a billion-dollar empire.
Upset, because even after everything—after all these years, after all the silence and abandonment—he still listened to her. He still felt something. And worse, part of him agreed with her decision to leave the child in their care. Deep down, he knew they were capable of protecting her. Maybe even the best people to do it.
Angry, because she left again without saying why. Just like last time. No calls. No explanations. Nothing. Just a mini version of herself with chocolate-sticky fingers and stubborn eyes that reminded him too much of the girl who once turned his world upside down.
He was speechless. Natalie had once again taken control of his life from a distance.
After a long moment, he finally broke the silence.
"Oi. Brat."
Vivi, who was now halfway through her second chocolate bar, paused. "Daddy, you're so rude! Call me Vivi!"
"I don't care," he said flatly. "You're still a brat."
Unbothered, Vivi kicked her legs like she was on a playground swing. "Mommy said I'm adorable."
Stanley rolled his eyes. "Tell me where you lived before Natalie dumped you here."
"We lived in a house!" she replied brightly.
Stanley stared at her with the kind of look that could silence a boardroom full of grown men.
Yup. This one was definitely Natalie's kid.
He tried again.
"Tell me exactly where you live. I'll send the driver to take you back. I have things to do, and babysitting isn't one of them I cant afford it."
Even though this little girl was really clever, she was still just six years old. She couldn't talk as fast as Stanley, and sometimes she didn't understand what her dad was saying. But there was one thing she did understand—and it made her feel like her whole world was falling apart.
Her dad said he couldn't take care of her anymore.
That didn't make sense. Mommy had told her all her daddies were rich, cool, and could buy anything. She was so sure this daddy would be just like that. But now… was he poor? Or worse—was he lying?
To be sure, she asked in a small voice, "Daddy, are you poor?"
Stanley's eye twitched. Poor? Him?
Of all things, that word offended him more than being called a dad.
"I'm not your dad. Call me Mr. Gosling," he said sharply.
"But da—" she started, then paused as she noticed the cold look in his eyes. She quietly nodded and changed it. "Okay… Mr. Gooseling."
Stanley: "...It's Gosling."
"Mr. Gooseling," she repeated confidently.
"GOSLING. Mr. Gosling."
"Mr. Gooseling," she chirped again.
Stanley stared at the ceiling and muttered something under his breath. He was seriously questioning every life choice that led to this moment.
He sighed deeply and asked again, calmly this time, "Where do you live? What's your address?"
"I don't know… Mr. Gooseling."
He resisted the urge to scream into the void. "What does your home look like?"
"Oh! I can see stars from my home! We don't have a door. Mommy stacks boxes everywhere. And the aunty next door gives us chicken soup! There's a pond too. With lots of fishies!"
There was a pause.
Henry blinked.
Stanley froze.
That… that sounded like slums.
No door. Boxes. Neighbor feeding them. Pond out back.
Natalie was living in the slums?
He didn't even realize his fists had clenched until his nails dug into his palms. He didn't know whether he felt angry, shocked, or guilty.
Natalie, the girl who once had everything, had been raising her child in poverty.
Before his thoughts could spiral further, Henry spoke up, quietly. "Boss, we have a meeting with the EM Group in 30 minutes."
Stanley snapped back to the present. "Right."
He stood abruptly, grabbed a folder, and started walking toward the door.
Henry followed without question—until Stanley suddenly paused. "Where is she supposed to go?"
Henry hesitated. "Sir?"
"I don't have time to look after her," Stanley muttered. But… he didn't say send her away. And that was enough.
Henry gave a tiny nod and gestured to a lady assistant nearby. "Please look after our new… young miss. Make sure she has everything she needs."
The assistant blinked. "Young miss?"
"Don't ask questions," Henry said grimly. "Just keep her happy. If she cries, we're all doomed."