bChapter /bb188 /b

    The driver shook his head awkwardly. “I’m afraid that’s not possible, Mr. Brian. These are Mr. Sebastian’s specific instructions.”

    Brian clutched his schoolbag, his face set in a stubborn frown. “I don’t believe you! I’m calling Mom!”

    The driver opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself, not daring to tell Brian that it was actually Maxine’s orders.

    He watched as Brian dialed Maxine’s number, then said in an uncharacteristically pitiful voice, “Mom, I really want to be with you!b” /b

    The driver ducked his head and quickly slipped into the car.

    ‘Mr. Mason holds such grudges. If I stick around any longer, I might just get silenced,‘ he thought to himself.

    The driver watched as Brian’s face grew increasingly stormy. Clearing his throat conspicuously, he covered his mouth with his right hand and quietly lowered the window a bit with his left, trying to overhear Brian’s conversation.

    “Why does Dad get to be with you, but I can’t?” Brian whined.

    “Then I want to get sick too!” he added petntly.

    Brian’s petnt tone gave Maxine a headache she hadn’t felt in ages. She thought, ‘He used to act like this only when defending Kathleen, but nowb, /bit’s just because he wants to stay by my side.’

    Maxine patiently exined, “Brian, it’s better for you to stay at the mansion, it’s more convenient for your schoolmute. Besides, your dad has the flu, and I don’t want you to catch it.”

    Brian kept whining, “But I want to go! If Mom gets to stay there, why can’t I?”

    Seeing that reasoning was useless, Maxine pulled out the universal trump card and called out sternly, “Brian Mason!”

    Brian knew this was her final word and reluctantly conceded, “Fine… I’ll stay home.”

    After hanging up, Brian climbed into the car, secretly adding another mark to his mental grudge list against Sebastian. ‘Dad must have bad–mouthed me to Mom, that’s why I have to stay home!‘ he thought.

    Just then, Sebastian, lying in bed getting his IV, suddenly sneezed hard.

    Maxine thrust the pills into his hand. “Take your meds after you eat. I’ll be heading out soon,” she said.

    Sebastian took the pills with a strange look. “Did Brian just call youb?/bb” /b

    Maxine nodded. “Yeah, he wants toe over.”

    Sebastian opened his mouth, wanting to plead for his son, but before he could say anything, Maxine cut in, “I’ve still bgot /bseveralwsuits to handle, and Gabriel’s matter isn’t resolved yet. If Brianes over, you won’t be able to handle things aloneb./bb” /b

    Though Brian was his own son, it was obvious Sebastian had no desire to deal with a kid’s tedious homework either.

    So, wisely, he kept his mouth shut.

    In the past few days, Maxine had been checking with her contacts about Gabriel’s situation in prison. Thanks to his family’s connections, he bwas /bholding up welltely, but he remained convinced he’d be out before long.

    Cleo checked the calendar and warned, “Christmas ising soon. If we don’t pick up the pace, once the holiday travel rush bhits /bband /bbthe /bbcrowds /bbswell/bb, /bbif /bGabriel takes advantage of the chaos to slip out of the country, you’ll never track him down againb./b”

    Maxine replied, b“/bYeah, I’ve asked Lucas to help.”

    09:15 Tue, 24 Jun

    b85/b%

    Over the past few years, Lucas Carter had made quite a few connections at the research institute. Maxine had no other choice but to turn to her alumni for help, but Lucas responded enthusiastically and immediately reached out to his contacts to assist with the investigation.

    The incident that happened to Maxine years ago had been covered up by Urban, so hardly anyone knew about it. Lucas invited her into his office and poured her coffee. With a knowing smile, he said, “So that’s why I haven’t heard from you in all this time, you’ve been off doing business overseasb./bb” /b

    Maxine smiled. “Not exactly business, just needed a way to make ends meet abroad.” ol start="28"lib28/bb. /b/li/ol

    AD