Winona hurried to exin,

    "We''re just friends, honestly. With everything going on with Zely, Keaton''s helped me out a bunch, and I''m really grateful."

    "Today he got punched by Mr. Huber, so everyone''s worried about him."

    "Mr. Bradford said that you and he were bringing Keaton some food, but Keaton probably wouldn''t eat if you guys brought it, so he asked me toe instead."

    "Mr. Bradford figured Keaton''s got his pride, and he wouldn''t turn me down if I brought him dinner."

    "I brought some wine, just hoping to get him to eat something, but then we got to talking and, well, ended up opening Harold''s whiskey..."

    "When you and Mr. Huber came in, and I saw Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Windham too, I just didn''t want them to get the wrong idea and start gossiping, so I thought hiding was the best move."

    Seeing Janelle still looking skeptical, Winona emphasized,

    "Seriously, Keaton and I are just friends. There''s nothing else between us."

    A maid came over with a nket, and Janelle personally draped it over Winona''s shoulders.

    "You don''t need to be nervous," Janelle said gently. "I just worry Keaton might give you a hard time. I hope he hasn''t upset you."

    Winona shook her head, "No, not at all."

    After chatting for a bit, Winona said her goodbyes.

    Janelle walked her all the way to the car and even arranged a driver to take her

    home-no way was she letting Winona drive after drinking.

    Once Winona had left, Janelle headed toward the family chapel.

    The security guards immediately rushed over to apologize.

    "We''re so sorry, ma''am, we let Ms. Newsom in without asking, we—"

    Janelle cut them off, looking more energized than ever.

    "Good job! Double pay for everyone this month!"

    The guards all stared at her in disbelief. "?!"

    Was this their lucky day or what?!

    Janelle walked into the chapel but doubled back suddenly, a thought striking her. She looked at the guards.

    "So, what''s really going on between Keaton and Winona? Do you guys know?" The guards all started talking at once, eager to spill the tea.

    "I swear they''re secretly dating!"

    "Exactly! Ms. Newsom came to see Keaton in the middle of the night, didn''t care about what people would say. That''s gotta mean something, right?"

    "She''s clearly very worried about him! Her eyes were all red when she got here, and when she heard Keaton wasn''t eating, she looked heartbroken!"

    "And get this-Keaton didn''t even tell her to leave! Anyone else, he''d have kicked them out for sure!"

    "After she showed up, Keaton was like a different personughing and joking. It''s obvious they''re in love!"

    "And the only reason Keaton won''t marry Ms. Sutton is because he''s into Ms. Newsom!"

    "Trust me, ma''am, even if they''re not together yet, they''re definitely at that will- they-won''t-they stage!"

    Janelle''s eyes lit up. "Really?!"

    All the guards nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely!"

    Janelle couldn''t help it—she burst outughing. It felt like a new hope had dawned!

    "If Keaton really ends up with Winona, I''ll give each of you a big Christmas bonus!"

    She happily strolled into the chapel, feeling lighter than she had in months.

    Inside, she even took a moment to bow three times in front of the family portraits, offering her thanks to the ancestors.

    She was convinced the old folks had

    fier and Richard''s endless for a daughter-inwne

    y sent one their way!

    After bowing, she didn''t even look at her son. Instead, she turned to Richard and

    said,

    "Throw him out! We don''t need him anymore!"

    Richard blinked, surprised. "What?!"

    Keaton red. "Mom, who are you talking about? You want Dad out or me?"

    "You!" Janelle snapped, her face

    stern. "After everything you''ve puttedtely,

    ve decided I don''t want you!

    Out you go-whoever wants you can have you!"

    Keaton was speechless. "...And what if nobody wants me?"

    "Then you''re on your own-sink or swim!" Janelle huffed.

    Keaton stared at her, dumbfounded. "Mom, are you possessed or something?"

    Janelle shot him a re. "Zip it!"

    Richard was just as baffled. Usually, whenever he even joked about not wanting their son, Janelle would raise hell-crying, threatening, the

    whole nine yards.  fo

    Now, after a chat with Winona, she was suddenly ready to toss Keaton out herself?!

    "What''s gotten into you?" he asked.

    "What''s gotten into me? I said what I said! Out with him-I don''t want this son anymore!"

    Janelle was all action, calling over a couple of staff members and personally directing them.

    "Take him outside right now! And you two-go pack up all his stuff, everything, and toss it out with him!"

    Keaton was still in shock. "Mom, what the heck?!"