Chapter 77: A chance encounter
"This will be seen as an invasion of privacy, young master Knox," Steve remarked after reading the documents Knox showed him.
They were seated on the colorful squishy bean bags scattered in the playroom of the daycare center. The children were out in the courtyard, doing outside activities, so Steve and Knox could talk freely inside the room.
From the other side, they could see the children playing through the opened windows. Knox’s eyes automatically latched on Knoa kicking a ball. He unconsciously smiled after witnessing the kid kick the ball to the goalie, who was their teacher.
His attention was only caught after Steve continued, "Where did you get these?"
Knox looked away from his son and turned to Steve. He answered politely, "I found them on my desk this morning. Someone left it there, but I didn’t see who. Though I have a hunch it was Athan. I told him before that I won’t need his help since there are already bad rumors of us going around the company."
"But now that they know your relationships, young master Knox, don’t you think it’s fine now if young master Athan lends you a hand?" Steve carefully suggested. He placed the brown envelope down. "I’m sure he was just as anxious and worried as you are. Please, don’t hesitate to accept help from us if you ever need it."
"Right. Athan was being considerate, and yet I was acting selfishly. I just don’t want to drag their names into another scandal. But I guess it was inevitable," Knox replied. He looked out the window once more, gazing at his son. "I still don’t understand why he suddenly decided to do that. He even allowed me to keep my name and treated Knoa so kindly. It made me wonder...why couldn’t he have done so in the beginning..."
Steve followed his gaze, "The chairman has his reasons, young master Knox. Although it may be true that whatever those are won’t justify his actions toward you, I hope that you’ll let him make it up to you and your son."
Only silence answered the older man. The kids’ cheerful shouts and giggles approached the room. They were already done with their outdoor activities and the teacher was already guiding them inside.
Some of the parents of the other kids entered the room as well. They smiled and slightly bowed to them as a sign of greeting, before getting their bags and calling their children to them.
"I will take these papers, young master," Steve stood and took the envelope. "This can be dangerous to possess after all. And please, let young master Athan help you."