"No. I'm not okay with it." Rio responded coldly then continued, "I'm not sure what's going on, but I believe etiquette dictates that you thank the person who helped you in a difficult situation. Instead, you plan on interrogating and then sending them home when you feel like it."
Rio stood up and coldly approached Kaiser.
Kaiser Grayson sighed before gesturing towards Valentina. "Firstly, I didn't ask for your opinion I asked for hers. This is not an interrogation I just wanted to hear what happened from her mouth. Since it's a family matter I naturally do not want it getting out. As for sending her home, I want to take her to get treatment first which obviously I will cover. It's clear she got it while interacting with my son so it's my responsibility." Turning to Valentina, he asked, "Are you amenable to that Miss Valentina?"
Valentina looked back and forth between Rio and Kaiser Grayson. Honestly, She was shocked to find out that Luca was Kaiser Grayson's son. She completely understood why Luca had refused to share his last name with her.
So, she completely understood where Kaiser was coming from, and she understood Rio's reaction. Of course, it sucked to be suspected of possible child kidnapping, but it was the duty of a parent to verify that. If she was at the level of wealth and influence of the Grayson family, she would be very suspicious too.
Feeling Luca tighten his grip on her, Valentina sighed and firmed up her resolve before responding.
"Rio, I understand where you're coming from, and I want to say thank you for speaking up for me. However, it's the duty of the parent to check on the welfare of their children. I don't mind doing this for Mr. Grayson. And don't worry after speaking to him, I will find my own way home so don't wait up."
Valentina turned to Kaiser Grayson and continued, "Mr. Grayson, let's get this conversation out of the way so Luca can go home. It's been a rough day for him, and he needs some rest."
"Understood. Roman, follow these officers. Miss Valentina come with me."
As Valentina followed his long strides out of the room, she could feel herself start to pant and lose strength. Her arms were aching and her leg, stomach, and back were starting to hurt as the ointment she applied earlier wore off.
As Valentina continued to struggle but fell behind, Kaiser stopped and turned to her before holding out his hands and saying. "Here, I'll hold him."
Luca paid him no mind and turned his face away, burying it in Valentina's neck.
"Come here."
Luca continued to ignore his father's repeated requests until Kaiser pushed his hair back in frustration and said, "You know you're getting really big and heavy. Can't you see how she's suffering carrying you? Come here."
Luca flinched at his words and Valentina could feel wetness against her neck.
"No no, my little nugget, don't listen to him. You're not big at all. In fact, you're too small. I'm not suffering because of you. I'm suffering because your father thinks I'm 7 feet tall like him and can keep up with his giant feet as he is basically sprinting down the hall. It's all his fault. Bad daddy. Bad." Unable to control her mouth, Valentina immediately retorted at the man who was making the little nugget feel bad.
Hearing her bad mouth his father, Luca raised his head to look at her. Seeing her glaring at his father while sticking her tongue out he stuck his tongue out as well.
"Bad daddy."
Watching the two people gang up while insulting him Kaiser didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Seeing her struggling to walk and carry his son, he wanted to alleviate her burden. He felt bad for forcing her to carry his child as she was injured, limping, and panting but somehow he became the villain and was being mocked.
Not wanting to be insulted again he slowed his steps down and led Valentina into a private room. He sat on a sofa and watched as she carefully sat on another. All throughout, he watched his son cling to her as if she was his only lifeline. He hoped Roman understood his signal and would get the tapes from security soon because he needed to understand what the hell happened to them.
"Miss Valentina, could you please explain the circumstances in which you found my son." He put on his most serious face, the one that caused people to fear him.
After blinking twice at him, she gently sat Luca on her lap and covered his ears with her hand.
"Mmm, I'm not sure where he was supposed to be, but I came across him while searching for the bathroom. A couple of children around 6 had him surrounded and were saying horrible things to him about how he's a 'motherless bastard'." Valentina made sure to whisper the last few words before continuing.
"But don't worry your son is a fighter and pushed the main bully down. When that little brat kept being meaner and meaner I naturally stepped in and I claimed him as my son, scolded those children, and threatened to tell their parents. They ran off so I washed his face and brought him to the room. That was it."
Kaiser just stared here before asking, "And your leg?"
"Oh, the little red-headed ringleader kicked me. He's lucky I don't know who his parents are, or I would have ripped them a new one. Who raises their child so say such terrible things.." Valentina got angry just thinking about the rude little boy and all the nonsense spouting from his mouth.
"Actually Mr. Grayson, why was Luca by himself? It's dangerous to leave young children to wander alone, especially in a public place." Valentina cautiously asked. She originally wanted to ask about Luca's mom but thinking that that was an insensitive question, she changed it.
"Lots of wealthy families come here for meetings and to do work. They have a children's center where young kids are supposed to be guarded carefully. Naturally, that's where he was supposed to be, but he wasn't along with those other children." Thinking about how things could have gone wrong with his son, Kaiser narrowed his eyes and continued, "I'll have to speak with management and heads will roll."
Looking at his intimidating face and figure, Valentina said a prayer for the management team. This big boss looks angry, I hope you peacefully reincarnate for your next life.
"Still, thank you for saving my son, and sorry for suspecting you. Naturally, I'll take you to get treatment for your injury. What would you like in return?"
Shocked, Valentina took her hands from Luca's ears and looked questioningly at him.
Wait? Is this the save a child get a reward scenario? No way! She had seen how these things ended and she did not want to get involved! You always get entangled and then rumors would start and then before she knew it, her already negative reputation would directly go and join Satan's. Reject! Reject! She must reject!
"No. I'm not okay with it." Rio responded coldly then continued, "I'm not sure what's going on, but I believe etiquette dictates that you thank the person who helped you in a difficult situation. Instead, you plan on interrogating and then sending them home when you feel like it."
Rio stood up and coldly approached Kaiser.
Kaiser Grayson sighed before gesturing towards Valentina. "Firstly, I didn't ask for your opinion I asked for hers. This is not an interrogation I just wanted to hear what happened from her mouth. Since it's a family matter I naturally do not want it getting out. As for sending her home, I want to take her to get treatment first which obviously I will cover. It's clear she got it while interacting with my son so it's my responsibility." Turning to Valentina, he asked, "Are you amenable to that Miss Valentina?"
Valentina looked back and forth between Rio and Kaiser Grayson. Honestly, She was shocked to find out that Luca was Kaiser Grayson's son. She completely understood why Luca had refused to share his last name with her.
So, she completely understood where Kaiser was coming from, and she understood Rio's reaction. Of course, it sucked to be suspected of possible child kidnapping, but it was the duty of a parent to verify that. If she was at the level of wealth and influence of the Grayson family, she would be very suspicious too.
Feeling Luca tighten his grip on her, Valentina sighed and firmed up her resolve before responding.
"Rio, I understand where you're coming from, and I want to say thank you for speaking up for me. However, it's the duty of the parent to check on the welfare of their children. I don't mind doing this for Mr. Grayson. And don't worry after speaking to him, I will find my own way home so don't wait up."
Valentina turned to Kaiser Grayson and continued, "Mr. Grayson, let's get this conversation out of the way so Luca can go home. It's been a rough day for him, and he needs some rest."
"Understood. Roman, follow these officers. Miss Valentina come with me."
As Valentina followed his long strides out of the room, she could feel herself start to pant and lose strength. Her arms were aching and her leg, stomach, and back were starting to hurt as the ointment she applied earlier wore off.
As Valentina continued to struggle but fell behind, Kaiser stopped and turned to her before holding out his hands and saying. "Here, I'll hold him."
Luca paid him no mind and turned his face away, burying it in Valentina's neck.
"Come here."
Luca continued to ignore his father's repeated requests until Kaiser pushed his hair back in frustration and said, "You know you're getting really big and heavy. Can't you see how she's suffering carrying you? Come here."
Luca flinched at his words and Valentina could feel wetness against her neck.
"No no, my little nugget, don't listen to him. You're not big at all. In fact, you're too small. I'm not suffering because of you. I'm suffering because your father thinks I'm 7 feet tall like him and can keep up with his giant feet as he is basically sprinting down the hall. It's all his fault. Bad daddy. Bad." Unable to control her mouth, Valentina immediately retorted at the man who was making the little nugget feel bad.
Hearing her bad mouth his father, Luca raised his head to look at her. Seeing her glaring at his father while sticking her tongue out he stuck his tongue out as well.
"Bad daddy."
Watching the two people gang up while insulting him Kaiser didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Seeing her struggling to walk and carry his son, he wanted to alleviate her burden. He felt bad for forcing her to carry his child as she was injured, limping, and panting but somehow he became the villain and was being mocked.
Not wanting to be insulted again he slowed his steps down and led Valentina into a private room. He sat on a sofa and watched as she carefully sat on another. All throughout, he watched his son cling to her as if she was his only lifeline. He hoped Roman understood his signal and would get the tapes from security soon because he needed to understand what the hell happened to them.
"Miss Valentina, could you please explain the circumstances in which you found my son." He put on his most serious face, the one that caused people to fear him.
After blinking twice at him, she gently sat Luca on her lap and covered his ears with her hand.
"Mmm, I'm not sure where he was supposed to be, but I came across him while searching for the bathroom. A couple of children around 6 had him surrounded and were saying horrible things to him about how he's a 'motherless bastard'." Valentina made sure to whisper the last few words before continuing.
"But don't worry your son is a fighter and pushed the main bully down. When that little brat kept being meaner and meaner I naturally stepped in and I claimed him as my son, scolded those children, and threatened to tell their parents. They ran off so I washed his face and brought him to the room. That was it."
Kaiser just stared here before asking, "And your leg?"
"Oh, the little red-headed ringleader kicked me. He's lucky I don't know who his parents are, or I would have ripped them a new one. Who raises their child so say such terrible things.." Valentina got angry just thinking about the rude little boy and all the nonsense spouting from his mouth.
"Actually Mr. Grayson, why was Luca by himself? It's dangerous to leave young children to wander alone, especially in a public place." Valentina cautiously asked. She originally wanted to ask about Luca's mom but thinking that that was an insensitive question, she changed it.
"Lots of wealthy families come here for meetings and to do work. They have a children's center where young kids are supposed to be guarded carefully. Naturally, that's where he was supposed to be, but he wasn't along with those other children." Thinking about how things could have gone wrong with his son, Kaiser narrowed his eyes and continued, "I'll have to speak with management and heads will roll."
Looking at his intimidating face and figure, Valentina said a prayer for the management team. This big boss looks angry, I hope you peacefully reincarnate for your next life.
"Still, thank you for saving my son, and sorry for suspecting you. Naturally, I'll take you to get treatment for your injury. What would you like in return?"
Shocked, Valentina took her hands from Luca's ears and looked questioningly at him.
Wait? Is this the save a child get a reward scenario? No way! She had seen how these things ended and she did not want to get involved! You always get entangled and then rumors would start and then before she knew it, her already negative reputation would directly go and join Satan's. Reject! Reject! She must reject!
