Marcus Shaw said, "He ca back late at night."
Furrowing her brow slightly, Nora Scott glanced down at Andrew Hughes, then said, "Tell him I’m taking the child away."
Marcus Shaw paused slightly, then nodded gently.
Just as he was about to speak, Nora Scott suddenly reached out her hand, "...never mind, give the phone."
Without waiting for Marcus Shaw’s consent, Nora took the phone from him and waved her hand, gesturing for the other three to enter the restaurant first.
As they went in, Andrew Hughes tugged at Marcus Shaw’s sleeve and asked worriedly, "Marcus, will she scold my grandpa?"
Marcus Shaw: "..."
Being asked this by Andrew Hughes, Marcus truly didn’t know how to respond.
But Oliver Scott, amused by his peculiar reasoning, chuckled and asked, "Why would you think that?"
"Her eyes were on fire."
Observant Andrew Hughes said this as if it were obvious.
Oliver Scott paused for a mont, then scratched his head and asked Andrew, "If she really scolded your grandpa, would you be angry with her?"
Andrew Hughes blinked and furrowed his brow slightly, seemingly seriously considering Oliver’s question.
But after thinking for a long ti, he couldn’t co up with an answer.
He looked to Marcus Shaw for help.
"Let’s eat."
Marcus Shaw ended the conversation there.
As they entered, Marcus took a quick glance outside and saw Nora Scott standing in the street, one hand in her pocket, her expression cold as she gazed along the lit Long Street, unclear what she was looking at.
In that mont, Marcus suddenly understood the reasons behind Nora’s irritation and anger in the car.
Because she, too, had been raised by her grandpa.
Everything a person embodies in adulthood is closely linked to the education environnt of their youth.
He recalled a night half a year ago—
At the Hughes family residence.
Late in the night, Sir Hughes had specially prepared a barbecue to entertain him, filling the entire balcony with smoke.
Back then, Sir Hughes stood on the balcony, a cigarette in his mouth, leaning his head in to say to him, "Liyang listens to you. Keep an eye on him. If he goes astray in the future, he’ll likely beco a high-IQ criminal who might cause so sensational incident."
Marcus Shaw glanced down at the young Andrew Hughes and instinctively touched his pocket.
Feeling the urge to smoke.
*
As soon as Nora Scott introduced herself, a string of "sorrys" over the phone doused her anger.
"Marcus has already told about the situation. I’m really sorry for causing you trouble."
Sir Hughes had an exceptionally apologetic attitude.
He beca a "grandpa" just past middle age and hasn’t even reached the age of knowing destiny, having little to no generation gap with the young and speaking candidly.
His voice, weathered by years of smoking, was both raspy and hoarse, but it lent him a certain mature tone, affirming his status as an elder.
Nora only chatted with him a little.
Just as she was about to convey the ssage she previously wanted Marcus to deliver, he proactively inquired—
"Do you mind having an additional child at ho for the next few days?"
Nora was slightly taken aback.
Volunteering and being forced to accept are evidently not the sa thing.
Kicking aside a stone in her path, Nora spoke with determination, "Did Marcus tell you I’m a philanthropist?"
Sir Hughes responded with sincere honesty, "Not at all."
—Just said you have a sharp tongue but a soft heart, always looking for challenges.
"I really can’t manage over here," Sir Hughes was unapologetic, "Marcus said your sister is beautiful and kind-hearted, never one to let a child suffer—"
Not only an irresponsible adult who leaves a five-year-old at ho but also a smooth-talking rascal.
Complints for Nora poured out of Sir Hughes like beans, flowing out continuously. As soone who prided herself on her eloquence, Nora found she couldn’t get a word in.
"...When I’m done with my work, I’ll definitely co by to thank you!"
Sir Hughes wrapped up just in ti, providing a montary respite for Nora’s ears.
"Hughes!"
Just as Nora was about to speak, she heard a voice calling him over the phone.
Seizing the opportunity, Sir Hughes quickly said, "Oh, I have sothing to attend to... chatting with you was pleasant, we’ll continue next ti!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Sir Hughes hurriedly hung up the phone.
"..."
Nora felt overwheld.
??
Who said chatting with you was pleasant?
He was the only one flattering her from start to finish, she barely said anything.
Not to ntion,
how co such a glib chatterbox hasn’t influenced Andrew Hughes and Marcus Shaw, putting all his skills to work, right?
With a sullen face, Nora squeezed the phone and headed into the restaurant.
*
After eating, Nora sent Oliver Scott and Marcus back to school.
As Marcus was about to get out of the car, Andrew Hughes tightly pursed his lips, saying nothing, but clinging to Marcus’s sleeve, trying to prevent him from leaving.
Marcus pried his grip away twice, and each ti Andrew held on stubbornly and obstinately.
Andrew knew he had to go back to Cloudwater Haven with Nora.
Since he had not spent a long ti with Nora, Andrew felt a vague sense of wariness and intimidation towards her strong presence, coupled with the guilt of secretly taking Rose away...
With all these emotions combined, Andrew held on tightly, refusing to let go.
"Help call in a leave."
After a stalemate lasting half a minute, Marcus finally decided to compromise and instructed Oliver.
Ever since starting to recognize his identity, it was the first ti Marcus communicated proactively with himself, making Oliver smile uncontrollably, and in a good mood, sincerely offered his advice—
"Believe in yourself, even if you don’t call in, the teacher won’t care."
"..."
Without a word, Marcus slamd the car door shut.
Oliver paid no mind and leaned forward again to bid farewell to Nora, "Sis, then I’m going."
"Hmm."
Nora nodded slightly.
Oliver waved his hand before leaving, heading towards the school gate.
Silently watching the natural interaction between Oliver and Nora, Marcus retracted his gaze, only to find Andrew’s sowhat worried, heavy look.
Marcus ignored it.
"Do you need to go ho to get anything?" Nora asked.
Marcus looked at Andrew, letting him consider for himself.
There was a set of clothes and daily necessities left in Marcus’s bedroom.
As for anything else, Marcus wasn’t sure.
"No need."
After thinking for a mont, Andrew’s answer was decisive.
Nora responded with a nod and drove towards Cloudwater Haven.
*
Cloudwater Haven.
Camilo Nogueira drove through the entrance gate of the neighborhood, Pedro Langley sat in the back seat, the window open, letting the breeze sober him up. He pressed his fingertips against his brow, frowning slightly.
"Don’t ask for this kind of thing in the future."
Pedro’s voice was hoarse, sounding a bit irritable.
In the business world, Pedro was tough, conducting negotiations in offices or conference rooms, rarely choosing dinner tables. Having failed to et Nora tonight, Pedro was called by Camilo Nogueira to et, unexpectedly ending up in a drinking session.
Camilo usually handled these matters, but this ti, with mischief, he orchestrated events such that he didn’t drink, leaving Pedro to ingest a fair amount.
If Camilo hadn’t intervened, Pedro would have thrown the whole lot of liquor on the table and set it ablaze.
"Feeling better now?"
Camilo’s mischief successful, he was in a good mood, smiling with softer eyes, looking more scholarly yet sly like a fox.
"..."
Pedro didn’t bother responding to him.
Camilo chuckled softly, then defended himself, "Bla your obsession with beauty for leaving with this ss."
Pedro’s high-profile relationship unveiling and show of affection, without caring how single n around felt... who else would Camilo target?
Ignoring his explanation entirely, Pedro suddenly asked, "Staying at Cloudwater Haven tonight?"
"Yeah." Camilo replied, "Since we’re already here, I might as well stay."
Cloudwater Haven’s developer, Langley Residence, was led by Mr. Lucas Langley, Pedro Langley’s brother.
Back then, Pedro had acquired a few apartnts, and Camilo had taken two, living next to each other.
(p>However, like Pedro, Camilo seldom visited.
— Just that if not for Nora living at Cloudwater Haven, Pedro might not have spent so much ti there.
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