Callum froze.
He was so flustered that he dared not meet Nathaniel's gaze.
Nathaniel could tell from the look on Callum's face that he was feeling guilty.
"What did I tell you this morning before we left? You were supposed to work on the second half of Turkish March with your teacher this afternoon. Instead, you ignored my words and played all day?"
"Daddy, I…"
"We'll settle this later. Finish your dinner, then come to my study. I'll give you some time to come up with excuses," Nathaniel interrupted sternly.
Callum hated going to Nathaniel's study because he was always scolded and punished there.
Just like that, his good mood was ruined entirely.
Mildred noticed Callum's worry and intervened.
"Nate, I gave Callum the afternoon off from piano practice. Adora rarely comes over, and letting them play won't have a major impact."
Nathaniel looked at her gravely. "Grandma, you're spoiling him. This will only make him lazy."
"It's normal for children his age to be playful. Unless Callum is genuinely interested in learning and willing to practice, it's better to let him enjoy himself. He's still just a child."
"If he continues to be overly focused on play and not on his studies, he'll only become more addicted to pleasure and less driven. Grandma, this isn't helping him. It's enabling him."
Nathaniel's arguments were well-reasoned, and Mildred found it hard to counter.
Hence, she changed her approach and said, "I'm his great-grandmother. Do you actually think I'll do anything that will ruin him? As an elder, I believe I should have some say, too."
Nathaniel fell silent.
Finally regaining some momentum, Mildred continued, "Besides, it's not as serious as you're making it out to be. Missing one afternoon of piano practice isn't a huge issue. Don't be so dramatic."
Despite the disagreement, Nathaniel recognized her position.
He offered a compromise. "Callum, I'll let this slide today. But remember, there can't be another slip-up. Scheduled lessons are a must. If you don't attend them, I'll consider it as skipping classes. You know the consequences, right?"
Callum hurriedly waved his little hands and shook his head.
"I won't do it again, Daddy. I promise I'll be good and go to my classes."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Wait, She’s a Billionaire (Sheena Lawson)
The novel is too abusive it spoils the joy of reading it. I hate the punishment part between sheena and Eliot....