Episode 4

ANGELA

After sleeping with little elusive Blanca, I woke up very early to head to the company.

Today, I'd go with my dad because we needed to welcome the Kuznetsovs and since I'll be in charge of our family business while Mr. Frost presides over his family's affairs, we must work together on some matters. I just hope he's not too disagreeable to work with.

"Good morning, handsome daddy," I greeted my father with a kiss and a morning hug.

"Good morning, princess, where's your mom?" he asked.

"Well, she's with Blanca, you know it's a daily negotiation between them for her to go to school and, in the end, my mom always wins," I answered.

"You're right, let's go to the company. Your mom will finish packing for the trip today, and your grandparents arrive tonight," my father said.

"Great, I'm dying to see them," I commented.

"And they you," my father replied.

We drove in his car to the company since I left my car in the parking lot the night before, and Thomas is responsible for taking my siblings to school. By the way, I need to ask Gael later how his date went.

Upon arriving at the company, we were lucky that as we stepped out of the car, another parked beside us, and a chauffeur opened the door to let the Kuznetsovs out along with handsome Prince Anton, who, upon seeing me, raised his little arms.

The baby was in his grandfather's arms, so he didn't mind being passed to mine.

"Hello, handsome prince, how are you?" I spoke to the baby while planting kisses on his chubby cheeks.

"Mama," said little Anton, who is a darling.

"Good morning, Mr. Walton, miss," Mr. Frost greeted.

"Good morning, Kuznetsovs," my father and I said in unison.

"Today's a good day, don't you think, Angel?" Mr. Ivan remarked.

"Indeed, today we officially welcome you to our country and to our new business ventures," my father said.

"Exactly, and they will be significant deals, you'll see. Have you decided who will travel to Russia?" Mr. Ivan asked.

"I will, and Angela will stay in charge of the family business," my father replied as the five of us walked toward the elevator.

"And you trust that your daughter is prepared for that?" Mr. Frost inquired, and I swear I would have hit him if my father weren't here and if little Anton weren't in my arms.

"Of course, Angela has been working with me since she was thirteen. She's more than capable, knows every business and every partner, there's nothing she doesn't know about. Plus, she'll soon start a specialization and launch a digital business with her brother and best friend. I have complete confidence in my daughter's abilities," my father spoke earnestly, and it seemed as if Mr. Frost's question also bothered him.

"She seems very intelligent; you have a gem of a daughter," Mr. Ivan added, his son Mr. Frost turning even colder, saying nothing more.

"Indeed, Angela is the pride of the family, as beautiful as her mother, and has never given me any trouble. That's why I know there won't be any issues years from now when I retire and leave the fortune in her and her siblings' hands," my father stated.

The elevator ride was silent, except for Anton's heart-melting smiles. On reaching the top floor, where the offices of owners and top partners are, I tried to return the baby, but he refused and began to cry when his father tried to take him by force.

"You have meetings all day and the official presentation; I can take him to my office, and you can pick him up later," I suggested; I hate seeing the beautiful grey-eyed prince cry.

"I think that's best, son. Besides, we need to find a good nanny soon. I'll be off with Angela, and there will be no one to help you with Anton," Mr. Ivan said, and at that moment, I became curious about who Anton's mother was and why she wasn't with him.

"If the miss insists," Mr. Frost handed over the baby's bag and left expressionlessly. He thinks he's so superior, doing me a favor and still acting up, as if I cared about him. The most important thing to me was preventing Prince Anton from crying.

"Daughter, remember to go to the presentation," my father reminded me.

"Yes, dad, we'll be there," I replied, taking Anton's bag and heading to my office. I didn't need to attend the meetings just yet, as my new responsibilities would be announced at the presentation. After that, I would be at every meeting of this company.

Little Anton is a beautiful prince; he was so good and smiling in my office, fell asleep after eating, and since the office has a little room—my father's idea—I laid him down there and asked one of the assistants to watch him while I went to the presentation. She's been working here for many years and already knows everything that will be announced, so she didn't need to be present.

I arrived at the presentation where everyone was, including the Kuznetsovs, who stared at me, probably expecting Anton with me.

"Don't worry, he's sleeping in the room at my office, Marina is taking care of him. She's worked here since before I was born and is trustworthy," I informed them, and Mr. Ivan relaxed a bit. His son, Mr. Frost, continued to wear his usual icy face, meaning he was fine.

"Marina is very reliable, relax," my father endorsed.

My father started the presentation by welcoming the Kuznetsovs and discussing our business dealings with them. Then he spoke about his trip and announced me as the person who would take his place during his absence. Everyone knew me and my capabilities, so they applauded happily—everyone, that is, except Mr. Frost.

After the presentation, I returned to my office to keep working until the prince woke up. I changed his diaper and we had snacks together. Then we played on the floor until the office door opened—Mr. Frost, who doesn't know how to knock.

"I've come for my son," Mr. Frost declared.

"Yes, I'll just pick up his toys," I replied, starting to gather the baby's things, but as usual, I couldn't keep quiet.

"Where's Anton's mother?" I probed, knowing we weren't friends, but I was curious.

"Dead. She died the day Anton was born," he answered unemotionally.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked," I said, concerned.

"Why apologize? You were curious and asked," Mr. Frost replied.

"I guess because you loved her, and her death must hurt. That's why I'm sorry—I didn't want to remind you of something painful," I explained.

"I never loved her, never loved anyone, so don't apologize," Mr. Frost stated coldly.

"If you didn't love her, how did you have a child?" I inquired further.

"In Russia's most powerful families, arranged marriages are common, and mine was no exception. Besides, I don't believe in love. I only believe in blood ties: father to son, mother to son. Those bonds are the only real ones," Mr. Frost elaborated.

"So you don't think if you remarry, that woman would love your son?" I questioned.

"No, I don't. I'm certain that if I remarry, no woman would want my son. They'd all want their own children, their own blood, and would shun my son for not sharing it," Mr. Frost argued.

"Well, I disagree. I know for sure that blood isn't the most important thing. You can love a child as your own even without sharing blood, without discriminating against those who do," I commented, finishing tidying up Anton's things.

"What would you know about it, Princess Walton, the heiress to it all, Daddy's girl? You know nothing of such things," Mr. Frost snapped.

"I know everything because I don't share the Walton blood. My dad adopted me and he loves me as his daughter, without distinction between me and my siblings. So don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about," I said, irritated, handed him the baby's bag, and then he picked up Anton, who had been playing on the floor, and left my office.

That man is an insensitive brute, an idiot who thinks he knows everything. But clearly, he knows nothing about love, the fool.

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