The CEO's Mischievous Little Bride

Patrick got the gist of what the guy was saying.

The Dark Web was this totally anonymous zone where everyone's identity was hidden, and no one could track anyone else, not even their past activities. It was a haven for all sorts of criminals, including hitmen. But Transient, despite his skills, never took on assassination gigs. He made dirty money but kept his hands clean.

If anyone betrayed their employer, they'd face some serious, mysterious backlash.

"So, when did they reach out to you?" Patrick asked.

"Right after that last big incident. You vanished online, and that night, The Rossi Family hit me up privately. They offered a hefty sum to dig into your family ties," the guy explained.

Patrick pressed on, "Do you know Jeffrey?"

The guy shrugged, "Heard of him, but never met him. We only talk through a single line. They trust me 'cause we've worked together before. They wanted me to look into Jeffrey here, but I came up empty." Patrick's face was a mix of emotions. He was done hiding. "Get him to the hospital."

"Got it," a subordinate replied.

Patrick stepped outside, the cold wind clearing some of the blood and smoke off him.

He hopped into his car, handed off the cleanup to his team, and drove halfway to a hotel.

After a quick shower, with his hair still a bit damp, he headed back home.

"Patrick, where've you been? You even showered before coming home, but didn't change your clothes?" Vera, holding Theodore, leaned against the door frame, her tone sharp.

Patrick took Theodore, "I smoked. Didn't want you and Theodore to smell it, so I showered on the way."

"The afternoon thing?" Vera asked.

"Yeah," Patrick nodded.

"Did you catch the guy?" Vera pressed.

"Yeah," Patrick replied.

"Did he confess?" Vera continued.

"Yeah," Patrick said again.

Vera, frustrated, snapped, "Patrick, is 'yeah' all you can say?"

Patrick smirked, "Yeah."

Their happy married life didn't last long before Patrick found himself on the receiving end of Vera's "domestic discipline" again.

Meanwhile, Randall was back, and Susan was filling him in on her day. She even pulled out her phone, "These are Molly's wedding pics from today. I figured you'd miss them, so I snapped a few." Randall waved it off, "Who cares about hers?"

Susan teased, "Then whose do you wanna see?"

Randall, always stirring the pot, said, "Patrick's."

"Randall, you can look at anyone's pics, but I wouldn't dare take Patrick's." Patrick didn't even have wedding photos. If anyone wanted some, they'd have to take new ones with Vera. "Randall, come up here." Patrick, holding the baby, called from upstairs.

Randall and Susan both looked up at Patrick on the stairs.

"Randall, from this distance, Patrick couldn't have heard you, right?" Susan worried, thinking Randall might get in trouble again. Randall blinked quickly, "I'm going."

He got up and whispered to Susan, "Don't worry, he didn't hear."

Then, Randall followed Patrick to his study.

In the study, Randall stood there, watching Theodore's tiny feet kick his arm and then fall back, only to kick again.

"Do you know Susan's hacker friend?" Patrick asked straight up.

Randall got all cautious, "Nope."

Patrick just stared at him, not blinking.

Feeling the pressure, Randall started to sweat, "But I've heard Susan talk about him."

Patrick leaned back in his chair, still eyeing Randall, "Susan trusts you. Get his contact through her and ask him for a favor."

Randall swallowed hard, "Is there something you can't handle?" He sounded shocked.

Patrick's eyes narrowed, "Do you want me to handle it myself?"

Randall quickly shook his head, "No, no. What do you need Susan's 'friend' to do?"

Patrick asked, "You know about the Dark Web?"

Randall perked up, "Of course I know, it's... I've heard a bit about it." He felt like Patrick could see right through him. He even wondered if Patrick knew he was the hacker. His excitement quickly turned serious. Patrick said, "Since you know about The Rossi Family, use the Dark Web to find their hidden accounts, historical data, and latest activities."

Randall frowned. The Rossi Family again. Last time it was them, and now it involved the Dark Web.

"Patrick, this isn't a joke," Randall said.

Patrick replied, "If he can't do it, I'll find someone else."

"I'll try. I mean, I'll get Susan to give me his contact and try to convince him," Randall said.

Patrick nodded, "Go ahead, it's on you."

Randall asked, "Anything else, Patrick?"

Patrick thought for a moment, "Vera's going back to school soon. She's been busy. For the next few days, you don't need to go to the company. Stay home and help Vera with the baby." Theodore lay in Patrick's arms, blinking his big eyes and making little noises.

Randall glanced at Theodore. Honestly, he didn't want to go to the company either. This way, he'd be free.

He left Patrick's study, seeing the maids bustling around, Cindy, Shawn, the busy housekeeper, and the bored Susan. Any of them would be better at babysitting than him. Randall looked at the just-closed study door, frowning, "Isn't it a bit of a waste to have me babysit Theodore?"

He went downstairs, deep in thought. Susan hadn't gone back to rest, making sure Randall came out okay. She sighed in relief, "Glad you didn't get beaten."

"Susan, come here. I need to talk to you," Randall said.

"Okay." Susan followed him closely as they left.

The next day, Randall stayed home but didn't take care of Theodore.

Susan went out to be Molly's assistant, and Vera was at home noting down Theodore's Christmas gifts, planning to open a separate account for him to deposit the money. Cindy asked her, "Why'd you suddenly think of opening an account for him?"

Vera replied, "I just want to be a reliable mom, saving all his gifts every year in the bank. When he grows up and wants to start a business, this money will be his startup fund."