Sweet Love 2x: Miss Ruthless CEO for our Superstar Uncle

Chapter 423: Meeting the CEO

Harvey handed a package to Aunt Estella: a bottle of wine and what looked like a box of sweets, and then turned to face Franz.

"So," Harvey said. His voice was deep, a little rough. "I’m finally meeting the husband in person." He extended his hand. "You look better than on screen. I’m Harvey Chen."

Franz took his hand. The grip was firm but not crushing. "Franz Rochefort."

He didn’t say Noah Hart. He wanted Harvey to know exactly who he was dealing with. Not the celebrity. Not the actor. The husband.

Harvey’s mouth curved. He looked amused, but he didn’t comment. "Franz Rochefort," he repeated. "Good to meet you."

Aunt Estella broke the tension by stepping between them. "Harvey, it’s been too long. You look thin. Are you eating properly?"

"I eat. Nothing tastes as good as your cooking. All the five-star restaurants I’ve visited, and none of them compare."

Aunt Estella swatted his arm playfully. "Flatterer. Come, sit. Dinner is ready."

She led them to the dining table, where the twins were already seated. Lily was watching Harvey with undisguised curiosity. Leo studied him with the focused attention he gave to all new people.

"These are our children," Arianne said, gesturing at the twins. "Lily and Leo."

Lily sat up straighter. "Hello. I’m Lily. This is Leo. He doesn’t talk much, but he’s very smart."

Leo typed on his tablet: HELLO. NICE TO MEET YOU.

Harvey looked at the tablet, then at Leo. "Nice to meet you too, Leo. Lily." He turned back to Arianne. "Can I meet the baby?"

Arianne sighed: actually sighed, as if the request was a great imposition, and passed Lexx into Harvey’s waiting arms.

Franz stiffened. He hadn’t expected her to hand over their son so easily. To a man he’d just met. A man with tattoos and sharp eyes and the kind of dangerous handsomeness that made Franz feel, irrationally, like he should be doing something.

But Harvey held Lexx with surprising care. One large hand supported the baby’s head. The other curved around his tiny body. He cradled Lexx against his chest and looked down at him with an expression that was entirely at odds with his intimidating appearance.

"Hello, little one," he said, his voice dropping to something softer. "You look like your mother. Same intimidating stare."

Lexx gazed up at him with dark, unblinking eyes. He didn’t cry. He didn’t fuss. He just stared, as if trying to decide whether this stranger was worthy of his attention.

"He’s calm," Harvey said. "Most babies cry when I hold them."

"He’s a good judge of character," Arianne said flatly. "He cried when Lucas held him."

"Lucas Rochefort? The lawyer?"

"Yes."

"Then the baby has excellent instincts."

Harvey smiled: a genuine smile, unguarded and warm, and Franz felt the last of his tension leave him. This man was not a threat. He was an old friend. A protector. Someone who had stood between Arianne and the people who wanted to hurt her. And now he was holding their son with the same care Franz himself used.

"I apologize for not bringing a gift for the baby," Harvey said. "I didn’t know what he’d like."

"He likes milk," Lily offered. "And being held. And his Mr. Penguin."

"Mr. Penguin?"

"His doll. Uncle Gilbert gave it to him. It’s a penguin with a bow tie."

"I’ll bring something next time. Something appropriate." Harvey handed Lexx back to Franz, his movements easy and unhurried. Then he took a seat at the table beside Angelika.

Arianne raised an eyebrow at the two of them. "How did Angelika end up as your assistant? I sent you a translator, not a wife."

Angelika’s face flushed. Harvey shrugged, entirely unrepentant. "You sent her to work for me. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. It’s your fault."

"I sent her to translate documents. Not to be romantically pursued."

"Technicalities."

Angelika said nothing, but the blush deepened.

Arianne snorted. "I’ll send you a new translator. One you won’t be tempted to harass."

"I don’t harass her. I court her. There’s a difference."

"There’s absolutely no difference when you’re the CEO and she’s your employee."

"We’ve discussed it. She’s comfortable."

"Has she told you that? Out loud? With words?"

Harvey glanced at Angelika. She didn’t meet his eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched. "She’s getting there," he said.

Arianne shook her head but didn’t pursue the subject. She turned her attention to the food Aunt Estella was setting on the table.

Harvey asked about their stay: how long they’d be in Rohan, whether they were enjoying the city. Arianne told him they’d leave once her affairs at Mythos Group were settled. A week, maybe less. She hadn’t visited in over a year, and things had piled up.

Then Lily, who had been watching Harvey throughout the meal with the sharpness of someone taking notes, spoke up.

"How did you meet our Mommy Aria?"

Harvey turned to her. "We met when I was finishing my master’s degree. She was attending business school. We were in the same program for a semester."

"What was she like? Back then?"

"She was terrifying. She never smiled. She worked harder than anyone I’d ever met. She didn’t have friends: not because people didn’t like her, but because she didn’t let anyone get close." He paused. "I tried to be her friend anyway. It took years."

Lily considered this. "So she was always working? Even back then?"

"Always."

"That sounds boring."

Harvey laughed: a real laugh, rough and surprised. "Yes. It was. Very boring. I told her that many times."

"Did she listen?"

"No. She never listens."

"I listen," Arianne said. "I just don’t agree."

"That’s the same thing."

"It’s not."

Lily looked between them, a small smile on her face. "You’re like Uncle Franz," she said to Harvey. "You don’t let her get away with things."

Harvey glanced at Franz. "I like your niece."

"She’s usually right," Franz said, still holding Lexx while everyone started to eat. "You get used to it."

The dinner continued. Aunt Estella brought out more dishes. Angelika began to relax, adding small observations about her work. Lily asked more questions. Leo typed occasional comments on his tablet. Lexx slept in his bassinet.

And Franz sat at the table with his wife and his children and a man who had protected Arianne during the years when Franz couldn’t, and something in his chest that had been tight since they arrived in Rohan finally released.

Harvey Chen was not a threat. He was an ally. A friend. Someone who had kept Arianne safe when Franz couldn’t be there to do it himself.

For that, Franz owed him more than he could ever repay.