The CEO's Mischievous Little Bride
Chapter 432 Patrick's Lover

Molly patted Randall on the shoulder. "Based on my nearly ten years of reading novels, if the male lead gets involved in a scandal while he's sulking with the female lead, the next step is the female lead getting jealous but not asking him directly about his relationship with that woman. The male lead will then assume his wife doesn't love him because she doesn't even care about his scandal.

"Their relationship falls apart completely: icy silence, constant misunderstandings, someone stirring the pot, and then divorce. But here's the kicker: she replaces out she's pregnant right after, keeps it secret, has the baby, and then..." "Stop!" Randall interrupted her, "Take it seriously."

Molly said, "Okay, do you think Vera is the type to bottle up her grievances? If Patrick dares to cheat, with Vera's personality, she could storm into the Olteran Group and fight Patrick on the spot. Patrick might end up in the hospital. Worse more, Vera could end up in jail."

Randall, who had thought he was giving good advice, now felt that his earlier words might have harmed Patrick after discussing it with Molly at the hospital.

"What do you think Vera is doing right now?"

At the Linister Manor, Vera had been sitting on the couch for a while, holding her phone, switching between different browsers to search for information, even looking up gossip about Patrick.

A maid called out to her, "Ms. Linister, stop playing on your phone, it's time to eat."

Vera didn't answer; her brows furrowed, replaceing nothing.

Then Vera said, "You all eat first, I'm not hungry."

Brianna walked over to call Vera as well, but when she saw what Vera had typed into the search engine: "Patrick's mistress," Brianna was startled. "Vera, what's going on?"

Vera immediately put down her phone and turned to the shocked Brianna. "Mom, don't worry, it's nothing. I'm just messing around. Don't overthink it."

Brianna's expression grew serious. "I'll call Patrick and have him come over tonight to explain." A little argument between Patrick and Vera was one thing, but if Patrick cheated, she and Warren would never let him off. Vera quickly stopped Brianna. "Mom, I'm really just messing around. I even looked up Dad's mistress on my phone."

After saying that, Brianna unceremoniously slapped Vera on the back. "Nonsense!"

Vera, having been hit, quickly went to comfort Brianna, "Mom, come on, let's go eat."

After lunch, Vera soon felt sleepy.

Brianna went to Vera's bedroom, sat by the bed, and massaged her legs. She wanted to ask Vera something, but Vera fell asleep shortly after lying down.

In the afternoon, Cindy and Shawn visited the Linister Manor to see Vera. They wanted to take her home, but before Vera could refuse, Brianna insisted on keeping her.

Cindy gently invited Vera to come back, but Brianna firmly refused.

Brianna wasn't naive; she knew that to prevent the Olteran family from taking Vera back, she needed to play her trump card. "What's Patrick up to these days? I haven't seen him around visiting Vera at all."

This question left Shawn and Cindy awkwardly speechless. Fortunately, Vera, being considerate, answered for them, "Mom, Patrick's been swamped with a new project at his company, which is why he hasn't been able to visit." Brianna smiled. "I see. Even when a man is busy, he should still make time for family."

With that, she changed the subject.

Shawn and Cindy didn't stay long, leaving after checking on Vera.

On the way back, Shawn angrily cursed Patrick again, "It's his fault."

Back at the Olteran Group headquarters, Patrick picked up his phone several times, only to put it down again after a moment's hesitation.

Today, his efficiency was unprecedentedly low.

It seemed like he hadn't accomplished anything all day.

He opened the chat with Vera, but there was nothing new.

He placed his phone face down and leaned back in his chair, exhausted.

He thought, 'How are her legs? Are they still swollen?

'Has she cried at home again? Are her eyes hurting?

'Is she sleeping well alone at night?'

Patrick worried Vera very much.

Feeling frustrated, Patrick decided to leave work early again.

As a result, the atmosphere in the president's office finally lightened.

Even Jack, who had gone to see Patrick, got an unexpected scolding. Everyone in the office was on edge, reluctant to approach Patrick.

Seeing Patrick leave, Jack quickly took the documents to Sophia. "Sophia, what's up with Mr. Olteran today?"

Sophia replied, "You should ask Ms. Linister."

"What?"

Sophia, perceptive as ever, had sensed something off that morning. Normally, when Patrick talked about Vera, there was a look of resigned happiness on his face. But this morning, he seemed unusually downcast. So Sophia had guessed something was up.

As dusk settled, Vera often found herself lost in thought at home. After dinner, she decided to take a solitary walk on the community lawn.

She wore a loose white mid-length dress, her belly slightly protruding, and yellow canvas shoes, walking on the lush green lawn.

With her head down and hands behind her back, she seemed deep in thought, walking aimlessly.

There were a few kids playing volleyball on the lawn, and Vera kept her distance from them.

She strolled along the deep green grass, flanked by two large trees with a bench nestled between them.

No one was sitting on the bench. The children were young and needed adult supervision while playing, so most of the adults were watching from a distance, leaving Vera alone on the bench.

Her expression was unreadable, as if her mind was in a world of its own.

Patrick's car was parked not far away as he was watching her.

Her phone rang, and Vera quickly took it out. When she saw the caller, her face showed a hint of disappointment. She answered, "Molly."

Patrick's eyes roved over her exposed limbs, noting that her legs seemed to have returned to normal. It eased his worries, if only a little. "Vera, did Patrick come to see you today?"

Vera replied, "He's busy."

Molly comforted her, "Vera, don't take what Randall said this morning seriously. Patrick would never do such a thing; he would never betray you."

Vera kept her gaze fixed on the ground, gripping the armrest of the bench as she stood up. She continued to walk on the grass while talking on the phone.

Patrick didn't know that Randall had suggested he might cheat.

Randall had already gone to the taekwondo gym. This time, Patrick was determined; the coach wouldn't let Randall leave until the session was over. If he tried to leave, the coach would give him a good thrashing.