Chapter 40
As Caroline figured, the interview went off without a hitch.
The lady teacher couldn't stop gushing, "They are amazing. Their reactions and logic skills are top-notch, the best we've seen so far. With talent like this, they need to be nurtured properly, or it'd be such a waste. Thanks for trusting us with your kids. I’m sure Ryan and Sophie will thrive here."
Caroline was pumped, "Thanks a lot!"
"But, the kids are still young. Ryan and Sophie shouldn't be doing any ads while they're in school. Sure, shooting ads can bring in quick cash, but overworking them is just harmful," the teacher added.
"Ads? What ads have they done?" Caroline was puzzled.
"Your kids did an ad for a children's computer. I saw the video online. They're pretty popular on the internet now," the teacher explained.
Caroline glanced at Ryan and Sophie. Ryan was staring at the floor, and Sophie was pretending to be interested in the bulletin board on the kindergarten wall.
Then Caroline turned to Sarah, "Did you sneak my kids off to shoot ads?"
"I..." Sarah stammered.
"How could you do this? I said no money-making for the kids. I can take care of them!" Caroline was frantic.
"Mommy, don't blame Sarah. We asked her to take us to do the ad," Ryan piped up.
"Sorry, Mommy. Ryan and I just wanted to help out. You work too hard!" Sophie added.
Caroline felt a pang in her chest and sighed.
"It's my fault. I didn't get your okay, but let's not dwell on it. Let's pay the kids' tuition first," Sarah said softly.
Caroline didn't have that kind of cash. It was Sarah who chipped in all her savings, a whopping five hundred grand.
Talking about money made Caroline even more upset.
Sarah wasn't the type to exploit kids. It was Caroline who was in desperate need of cash.
But the teacher's next words floored them both. "No need to worry about tuition. The principal already told us that if the interview went well, Ryan and Sophie could attend for free."
"Free?" Caroline and Sarah thought they misheard.
This was Child's Play Nursery, where people would drop two million bucks for a spot, and now it was free?
How was that even possible?
"Yep, the principal already gave the green light. Leave Ryan and Sophie with us, Ms. Murphy. You can go about your day. Just remember to pick them up in the afternoon. If you need to extend their time here, just give us a call," the teacher said with a smile.
"We really don’t have to pay tuition?" Caroline was still a bit skeptical.
Sarah nudged Caroline, signaling her to drop it. If they said no need to pay, then why push it?
"Yes, their tuition is free. Ms. Murphy, don't stress," the teacher reassured.
"Okay, thanks. " Caroline instructed.
"Thanks," Ryan and Sophie echoed.
"Good kids, let's go meet the other children," the teacher offered.
"Mommy, go now. Don't forget to pick us up," Sophie waved.
"Okay, bye-bye," Caroline said.
"Bye-bye, Mommy," Ryan waved too.
Meanwhile, a conversation was happening in the President's Office at Kennedy Corp.
"Here's what Ms. Campbell's been up to lately. Nothing out of the ordinary," Jack said, dropping a stack of papers on Nathan's desk.
Nathan's face turned icy, and he shoved the documents aside.
He didn't want those pointless records; he wanted real leads.
Jack could tell something was off and got all jittery.
"Maybe the folks on this missed some details, so they didn't find the kid," Jack said, treading carefully.
"These idiots are useless!" Nathan snapped.
Jack kept his mouth shut, unsure if "idiots" meant the team, him, or both.
"Keep digging," Nathan ordered.
"Yes, Mr. Kennedy," Jack replied, then hesitated, looking like he had more to say.
"Spit it out," Nathan said coldly.
"If we keep tailing Ms. Campbell, we might hit a dead end. She's a public figure and often goes incognito into private clubs. Our guys can't get in without memberships and don't dare follow her in. So, we can't figure out who she's meeting, which is why we're stuck," Jack explained, watching Nathan's reaction closely.
Nathan, though tough, was sharp. He knew Jack wasn't making excuses; it was the truth.
To find the kid, they had to crack Roxanne's circle.
"Mr. Kennedy, I don't think this is urgent. We'll find the kid eventually. Ms. Hughes called, asking if you're coming in today so she can plan her schedule," Jack reminded him.
Nathan glanced at the calendar. Time flew. Another week gone, and it was time for his therapy session.
Nathan stood up, grabbing his black coat. "Get the car ready."
"Yes, Mr. Kennedy," Jack said.
Half an hour later, Nathan was sitting across from Harper.
Harper was Nathan's therapist and one of the few people he considered a friend.
Nathan felt a deep loneliness. Many respected and feared him, but few were friends.
He rarely saw others as friends either. Most of the time, he shielded himself with thick armor, but with Harper, he could open up and be himself.
Harper was a top-tier psychologist and a stunning single mom.
Who the kid's dad was, Harper never said, and Nathan never asked.
Everyone had their secrets, which was part of what made them who they were.
Nathan closed his eyes, his long lashes casting shadows. Harper couldn't help but think his face could drive women wild.
And Nathan wasn't just handsome; he was brilliant and loaded.
Life seemed unfair, giving all the good stuff to this cold-hearted Nathan.
"Still not into women?" Harper asked.
This question had been a staple for years.
But this time, Nathan didn't answer right away.
He seemed to be hesitating.
This caught Harper off guard. Could Nathan be starting to recover and show interest in women?
Nathan's weekly therapy sessions were partly to ease work stress and partly to tackle his personal issues.
For years, he had zero interest in the opposite sex. Women were like mannequins to him; they looked good, but he just wasn't into them.
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