CEO's Passion: Love by Mistake

Chapter 1743

Chapter 1743 Lina Arrives

Welcome Stanley back?

Shane's brows furrowed as he cast a glance at Stanley, his eyes filled with undisguised disdain.

I can welcome anyone back but Stanley.

Before Shane could say anything to turn down the idea, Stanley beat him to it and said with a smile, “That would be nice. Thank you.”

Shane's face fell. This guy has no shame. This is my house, and I haven't even agreed to hold a welcoming feast! Why is he thanking us already?

Stanley's lips curved into a smirk when he saw Shane's grim expression. It went without saying that he was in a great mood upon witnessing Shane's misery.

“No worries. You don't have to thank us. You're our friend, so it's only right that we welcome you back. You guys go ahead and chat, I'll go give instructions to the kitchen.”

With that, Natalie stood up and placed Anders in Shane's arms. “Zaylee will be back soon. Place Anders in her care when she's here. Don't make him cry again.”

Shane was annoyed. “I only made Anders cry once.”

Why is she making it sound like I do it all the time?

Realizing what she said was somewhat inappropriate, she flashed him an apologetic smile. “I didn't mean it. Don't be upset.”

“I'm not.” Shane shook his head.

How can I possibly get upset at her?

Relieved, Natalie went to the kitchen after making sure the man wasn't upset.

Immediately after she left, the two men resumed having a staredown again.

Instead of fighting and arguing, they merely locked eyes with one another without doing anything else. Though didn't do anything in particular, their hostility toward each other was palpable, and anyone could tell that they were at odds with each other.

It wasn't until Zaylee arrived that they finally stopped glaring at each other, pretending as if all was well.

“Sir, let me carry the baby.” Zaylee approached Shane and extended her arms.

Shane didn't say much and carefully placed Anders in the woman's arms. “Take good care of him.”

“I will.” Zaylee nodded, holding the child.

Stanley chimed in, “Mr. Thompson, you're worrying for nothing. Zaylee is a professional. Do you really need to remind her?” All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Shane knew Stanley was deliberately saying these things to provoke him.

He couldn't be bothered to entertain the other man and waved his hand dismissively, gesturing for Zaylee to take the child away.

Zaylee, sensing the awkward atmosphere, said nothing and left with Anders.

Shane stood up and directed his frosty gaze at Stanley. “You'd better behave if you don't want me to throw you out.”

Stanley arched an eyebrow. “Fine. I'll stop talking.”

This isn't his turf. Since Natalie's here to defend me, I can argue with him without reservations. But now that Natalie isn't around, I should watch my behavior lest I really end up being thrown out.

Shane snorted and made his way over to the kitchen after Stanley settled down.

He was thinking of telling the chefs to whip up a few plain dishes for the welcoming feast Natalie had suggested. It's such a waste to feed Stanley sumptuous dishes. I'd rather feed dogs than him.

After Shane left, Stanley picked up his teacup and chuckled to himself.

Suddenly, footsteps rang out from the entrance. Following that, a crisp female voice laced with a hint of mischief could be heard. “I'm back, Nat. I've brought gifts for you and Mr. Thompson.”

The woman emphasized the word “gift” with a hint of lewdness in her tone, making it pretty obvious that

the gift was nothing ordinary and might be something “special.”

Stanley placed his cup down and looked in the direction of the voice. The woman was the same one he had encountered a few hours ago at the staircase on the second floor. Her name seemed to be Lina Cohen.

Even though he hadn't met her before, he had heard of her.

The woman was a friend of Natalie and Joyce and a jewelry designer. She shared a similar status with Natalie in the fashion design industry.