CHAPTER 372: PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD!

"Mommy~!"

Lola’s face brightened up as soon as she heard the twins’ voices. Her eyes softened as she watched the twins run out of the school gates and into her arms. The second they reached her, they hugged her legs tightly.

"Haha." She laughed softly and nodded at their teacher, who was escorting the students out. When she looked down, her smile grew wider. "Chacha, Second, how was school?"

"Mommy, it was fun~!" they chimed, copying Lola’s tone, making Lola and the teacher chuckle.

"Really? What did you learn?" she asked as she guided them toward the car. "Anything interesting?"

The twins just looked at her and blinked, clearly thinking of an answer that would please their mother.

"We learned colors!" Chacha announced proudly, while Second nodded profusely. "And veggies too!"

Lola’s face twitched, but she let it go. She often asked them about school to break the ice, and each time, the twins would answer with a smile—even if their answers were clearly made up on the spot.

These two were only going to school because they had to. Unlike her at their age, they already knew more than she did when she was in high school.

"Hehe. Really? Tell me more about it," she said ceremoniously as she buckled them into their seats.

As usual, the twins started talking about their day at school and everything they’d done. In the beginning, they weren’t as enthusiastic, but because Lola made a habit of asking about their lessons—to give them a sense of normalcy—they’d started taking school a little more seriously.

"I see." Lola hummed, smiling. "I thought you were late for school today since you went to your father’s office this morning."

The twins grinned. "Mommy, want to hear what we did there too?"

"Well..." she cleared her throat. "Of course."

"Daddy made us exercise our brains!" Chacha said proudly. "He told us to make a quick preparation for his next move against the NL Group."

Second nodded. "We didn’t include the LL Construction because that company’s going under even if we don’t do anything."

"The company has been stagnant for years, so there’s nothing else to do," Chacha added cheerfully. "If I were the owner, I’d declare bankruptcy now before it’s too late. Otherwise, he might not just end up broke, but in jail too!"

"Jail!" Second echoed with glee.

Listening to the twins talk about current affairs left Lola speechless. A few moments ago, they were talking about eggplants and colors. Now, they were casually discussing corporate downfall and market stagnancy.

It wasn’t like they were wrong, either. LL Construction’s decline had been inevitable for years. She knew that the events from last night would only accelerate the collapse.

The NL Group would survive, but LL Construction wouldn’t—especially since Lawrence had been taking out massive loans from banks, investors, and even loan sharks.

"Uhm—babies." Lola cleared her throat. "How about we go back to talking about school, hmm? Did you play with your friends today?"

The twins blinked, their smiles unwavering. Thinking about their "friends," whom they secretly called their mentees, they nodded.

"We taught them a lot today, Mommy," Chacha said sweetly, her cheeks rosy. "Second and I did a good job!"

"We even helped one of our classmates read," Second added proudly. "Now, we’re focusing on his speech because he still can’t talk clearly."

Again, Lola was rendered speechless.

Why were these two in kindergarten again? They should be in high school by now.

If Atlas were here, he’d probably argue that the twins shouldn’t be in high school either—they should be in college... as professors.

"Right!" Second suddenly perked up, pounding his tiny fist into his palm as he remembered something. "Mommy, there will be a parent-teacher meeting this weekend!"

Chacha moved closer, fluttering her eyelashes adorably. "You’ll come, right?"

"We already told our mentees our mommy will come!" Second added eagerly.

"Mentees?" Lola echoed, blinking.

"Mommy, are you going to the parent-teacher meeting with Daddy?" Chacha asked curiously. "We want to show off our mommy!"

Looking at their expectant faces, Lola chuckled. She pinched their cheeks gently and nodded.

"Of course!" she said warmly. "Even if the world ends, I’ll go."

"Mommy, if the world ends, the parent-teacher meeting will be canceled," Chacha replied logically, but Lola only laughed. "And everything else that day. We’ll be erased."

"Mommy will attend," Lola assured, smiling softly. "I won’t miss it for the world."

The twins stayed silent for a moment, just staring at her with wide eyes. Their unblinking stares made Lola raise a brow.

Before she could ask why, the twins suddenly erupted in cheerful squeals.

"Yay~!" They hugged her tight. "This is our first parent-teacher meeting with Mommy~!"

"I already told our teachers our mommy is the best~!" Second added proudly. "And that if they meet you, they’ll like you too!"

"I told them you’re so good you could be a teacher~!" Chacha said brightly. "If not the teacher, then the president of the world!"

Lola laughed heartily, her chest light with amusement. She knew they were exaggerating, but their affection filled her heart with joy. This was the kind of happiness she swore she’d protect.

As the twins happily chatted on their way home, Lola listened with a smile until her phone vibrated in her bag. She checked it out of habit and saw a message from Ida.

[From: Ida

Hey, Taz! Just checking in on you. By the way, filming continues, but the set decided to shoot other scenes that don’t include Melissa first. Cedrick’s schedule will be moved up—I sent it here. Also, Director Sarian is already looking for a replacement. Any suggestions?]

Lola tilted her head, thinking. Their first backup actress wasn’t an option anymore because of her own scandal.

"Mommy, is something wrong?" Second asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

She smiled. "Of course not."

"Then why do you look like that, Mommy?" Second pressed, only for Chacha to add dryly, "Second, Mommy’s born like that."

"..." Lola cleared her throat, unsure whether to laugh or cry. "Well, there’s just a little problem on the set, but it’s fine."

She planned to stop there, but the twins tilted their heads curiously.

"They need a replacement for Melissa’s role," she explained, since they were listening anyway. "Director Sarian’s asking for my suggestion on who should play it."

The twins blinked once... then smiled mischievously. "We know!"

"Oh?" Lola raised a brow, amused. "Okay, who do you think we should suggest?"

The twins’ grins stretched from ear to ear, their eyes sparkling with mischief.

Meanwhile, Baby, who was driving, and Izu, seated in the front passenger seat, exchanged wary glances.

Izu’s only thought was: Why is she letting the twins decide who gets the job?