Autumn just couldn''t let go of the idea of making Joseph her godson.


    She showed up at hispany in person. As the wife of the party chairman, her status was obvious the moment she walked in. No assistant at the front desk dared ck off-they escorted her straight to the guest lounge, poured her the best tea, and set out a spread of fresh pastries.


    "Please wait a moment, Mrs. Walker," the assistant said politely. "Mr. Salstrom is in a meeting right now. I''ll let him know you''re here."


    In the conference room, Joseph already knew Autumn had arrived. He didn''t even flinch. Instead, he just dragged out the meeting, nitpicking everyst detail, turning what should''ve been a quick session into a two-and-a-half hour slog.


    Autumn sat waiting, sipping cooling tea and picking at cookies for over two hours. She knew Joseph was doing it on purpose, and it burned her up, but she refused to leave. She was determined to see this through.


    When Joseph finally wrapped up, he asked his assistant, “Is she still here?"


    "She''s still in the lounge, sir."


    "She hasn''t left?" Joseph smirked. "She''s tenacious, I''ll give her that."


    He started walking down the hall, but before he could get to the lounge, a little kid came running toward him. "Daddy! Daddy!"


    It was Daria-he''d missed his dad and had begged the nanny to bring him over.


    But Joseph didn''t scoop him up. He kept his face stern and called out, "n, who said you coulde here?"


    Daria wasn''t scared in the least. He just hugged Joseph''s leg and pouted. "Daddy, I missed you."


    Joseph stayed stone-faced and told the nanny, "Take him home."


    He didn''t want Autumn to see Daria.


    "Yes, sir," the nanny replied quickly.


    "Come on, Daria, let''s go," she coaxed.


    Daria''s lips quivered and his face fell. "Okay, Daddy, bute home early, alright? It''s my birthday today."


    Joseph felt a pang in his chest-he''d nearly forgotten. Today was his son''s birthday.


    "I will. I''ll be home early," he promised, his voice softening, though his expression stayed cool. "Go on now."


    "Bye, Daddy!" Daria said sweetly.


    After the nanny took Daria away, Joseph turned to his assistant. "Cancel


    everything tonight."


    He was going to be home for his son''s birthday.


    "Yes, sir. I''ll handle it right away."


    Joseph might swap girlfriends like shirts, but he had a real soft spot for his kid. If he had a weakness, it was If he


    Daria. That''s why, over the past few years he''d mellowed out a lot. He didn''t even bother butting heads with Herman anymore. Back then, he wanted to go toe-to-toe with Herman, just to prove he could win. But Herman never saw him as a rival. If Joseph was honest, the whole grudge was just jealousy-resentment for histe mother.


    But after having a son of his own, everything changed. His priorities shifted in


    ways he hadn''t expected.


    He sent his assistant away and went to see Autumn himself.


    When Autumn saw Joseph finally walk in, she was already fuming. She shot him a


    look and said sarcastically, "Well, aren''t you the busiest man in town?"


    Joseph shot back a cold smile and flopped onto the sofa, totally at ease. "You came here looking for trouble, Mrs. Walker, and now upset Funny. I just realized ↓


    something-maybe you ede


    your


    husband never had a son because


    you never looked in the right ce."


    Autumn''s face soured. If it wasn''t for Daria, she wouldn''t be here at all.


    She straightened up, putting on her best elder''s pose. “Joseph, yourpany isn''t exactly a powerhouse, and as the Salstrom family''s illegitimate child, you''re not getting a dime from them. I''m here to help you."


    Josephughed a loud, careless, almost mockingugh. Autumn''s expression turned even darker, a mix of anger and confusion beneath the surface.


    "Hold on, let me enjoy this," Joseph said, wiping at his eyes. "Mrs. Walker, that''s the funniest thing I''ve heard all year. You deserve a medal for that."


    Autumn just stared at him.


    Joseph shook his head, grinning. “Seriously, Mrs. Walker, you''re in the wrong ce. You should be on stage doing stand-up, not sitting in my office telling jokes."


    Autumn finally lost her temper. "Joseph, watch your tone-"


    ve


    Joseph''s patience snapped, too. He mmed his hand on the table, voice rising. "This is my ce, Mrs Walker. don''t care who you think you are. I told you at the hospital-stay away from my son. Now you''re not just after him, you''re after me too? The only reason I haven''t thrown you out is because I still remember to respect my elders."