Chapter 2 I'll Make Sure He Hates You

Isaac's school was holding a parent-child sports day the next day.

Early that morning, as Amanda applied her lipstick, she straightened my collar and said, "Honey, someone has to keep an eye on the acquisition project today. You should focus on work. I'll take Isaac to sports day myself. You're already busy enough—don't wear yourself out trying to do everything."

Looking at the concern in her eyes, I laughed bitterly to myself.

In the past, she would avoid these kinds of events whenever she could, always claiming she was too busy. Yet this time, she suddenly seemed like the picture of a devoted mother.

"Alright. Thanks for handling it."

I did not expose her. Taking my briefcase, I turned and left.

Not long after I drove out of the neighborhood, I glanced at the back seat and noticed that Isaac's student ID had fallen into the gap between the seats. Without it, he would not even be allowed through the school gates.

So I immediately made a U-turn and headed straight to the school.

When I arrived at the athletic field, the events had not officially started yet. I found Amanda near the basketball court, but the moment I saw her, my footsteps stopped.

Because standing there were not just Amanda and Isaac. Connor was there too.

He was crouched down with Isaac perched on his shoulders, dressed in a white tracksuit that made him look young and energetic. Amanda stood beside them, holding a towel, her gaze full of unmistakable affection.

"Daddy, I want to go higher!" Isaac shouted excitedly.

But he was not talking to me.

For a moment, I thought I had heard wrong. But then Connor effortlessly lifted Isaac above his head and spun him around twice. "Hold on tight. I'll make you fly!"

Isaac burst into laughter and wrapped his arms around Connor's neck, nuzzling him affectionately. "You're certainly much stronger, Daddy Connor. Not like that bad daddy who always has a serious face and never plays with me."

Amanda smiled and ruffled Isaac's hair. Then she casually hooked her arm through Connor's and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks for taking time off work for this. See? The kid's much closer to you. You're basically half his father already."

"It's no trouble at all. As long as you and Isaac are happy, I don't mind suffering a little."

Connor lowered his head shyly, and the three of them stood pressed together, looking every bit like a happy family.

Meanwhile, I stood some distance away, my chest tightening. I could not believe that in my own son's eyes, I was the outsider.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my phone and expressionlessly snapped more than a dozen photos.

Then, I strode toward them.

The moment Amanda saw me, panic flashed across her face. "Honey, why are you here? Weren't you supposed to be overseeing the acquisition project?"

Meanwhile, Connor quickly moved behind Amanda, a trace of smugness flickering through his eyes.

I let out a cold chuckle. "Mr. Lawson, it's working hours. The acquisition documents are still waiting for you to organize them. The company pays you to work, not to play nanny."

At my words, Connor lowered his head and sighed.

Patting Isaac's head, he said helplessly, "Ms. Sutton, I'm sorry… I just felt bad for Isaac being here alone. You've been so busy with work and haven't had time to look after him. Isaac said he wanted someone to lift him up, but no one would play with him. I felt sorry for him, so I couldn't help it."

Amanda's expression immediately softened. Stepping in front of Connor protectively, she glared at me. "Tobias Zeller, that's enough. Do you really have to be this aggressive? You're the one who's never around, and now you're upset because someone else is being kind to your child? Connor came because I asked him to. If you have a problem, take it up with me!"

"If you don't want your job anymore, you can quit," I cut her off calmly.

Then I looked at Connor. "Connor, since you enjoy taking care of children so much, there's no need for you to stay on this project. Instead of having you split your time, I'll simply terminate your employment and let you fully devote yourself to being a loving father."

"You're firing him?" Amanda stared at me in disbelief, as though I had gone insane. "Tobias, you're making this personal! Connor has spent six months on that project. It's in the final stage, and you're firing him now?"

"He's spent six months on it and still hasn't finished verifying the basic data, yet somehow he has plenty of time to play airplane with a child."

I sneered and let my gaze sweep across Connor's clean-cut, handsome face. "Zeller Inc. doesn't pay people to sit around. And it certainly doesn't pay employees who collect a salary while playing house with the boss' wife. Go to HR tomorrow and complete the paperwork."

With that, I turned to leave.

"Stop right there!"

Amanda's sharp voice rang out behind me. She rushed forward and blocked my path, her face grim with anger. "Who exactly runs this family? And who has the final say at the company? I'm telling you right now—Connor isn't leaving. He's my personal secretary and a core member of this project. If you dare touch him, I'll pull my investment! And…"

Then, she lowered her voice and hissed viciously, "And Isaac only listens to him now. If you drive him away, I'll tell Isaac that you're the reason Connor left. I'll make sure he hates you for the rest of his life!"

My heart shuddered. I looked toward my son, who was glaring at me from a distance.

After a long silence, I finally yielded. "Fine."

Joy immediately appeared in Amanda's eyes. She offered a few perfunctory words of comfort before hurrying back to Connor's side.

Watching the two of them chat happily together, a chill spread through my chest. And for the first time, I finally felt relieved.

It seemed I no longer needed to show them any mercy.