Chapter 82
Cleo and Valerie got there in record time, making a two–hour drive in just over an hour.
The moment Valerie walked in, she shot a look at Sebastian and clicked his tongue. “Seriously? He’s burning up and completely out of it–how did no one notice until now? And what were you even doing bringing him to the stables?”
Charles glanced nervously at Maxine, hesitating before mumbling, “Mr. Mason said he wanted to see Ellie.”
The room fell into an awkward silence.
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Cleo barely spared a glance at the Mason family inside before saying casually, “Time to go, Maxine. I’ll wait for you outside.”
Maxine didn’t bother with small talk. “Valerie, you coming with us? Can you keep an eye on Brian tonight?”
Valerie didn’t think twice. She’d been dragged out of bed anyway. “Sure, no problem.”
With that, Valerie reached for Brian’s hand. “Let’s go, Brian. Come with me.”
But Brian just stood there, eyes glued to Maxine.
Maxine couldn’t help but look over.
She saw Brian’s expression was odd, like he wanted to say something but couldn’t get the words out.
Maxine caught on right away.
He wanted to go with her, but was too embarrassed to say so.
Still, Maxine had no intention of giving in, nor did she want to call him out. She just played dumb and pretended not to notice.
She said, “Maybe he wants to wait for his dad to wake up. Valerie, if it’s too much trouble, just stay here tonight. It’s easier that way.”
After a moment, seeing her nephew’s sulky, awkward look, Valerie finally got it.
She cleared her throat and said, “Hey, why don’t you and Cleo stay too? It’s late and not exactly safe out there. Head out in the morning.”
“No way. I’ve got kids at home. That’s where it’d really be unsafe.”
When Maxine called Cleo earlier, she made absolutely sure Cleo locked every door and even locked Jessica’s room before letting her come over.
If they didn’t hurry back and Jessica woke up, she would probably get spooked.
Valerie just couldn’t let it go. She doted on Brian the most, and it broke her heart to see him wanting to get close to his mom but too shy to say it.
She said, “How about we all take one car? It’s safer, and we can look out for each other. It’s over an hour’s drive, and it’s the middle of the night. We can even switch drivers if we need to.”
Right then, Cleo suddenly burst in from outside.
She looked totally impatient. “Fine. Let’s just go. And keep the talking to a minimum, okay? You guys are seriously annoying.”
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Chapter 82
Cleo and Valerie had always butted heads. They were like bickering frenemies, always arguing but never for real.
As soon as Cleo spoke, Sebastian lit up, grabbing Brian and Maxine and practically dragging them out the door. Her eagerness to leave left Charles standing there, completely stunned.
He thought, ‘Hey, does anyone even care about my boss anymore?‘
As Valerie was about to step out the door, he suddenly had a pang of conscience, paused, and glanced back at Charles.
She said, “Hey, Charles, keep an eye on my brother, yeah? But come on, he’s a grown man. A little fever isn’t going to kill him. When he wakes up tomorrow, make sure he comes to pick up Brian!”
Maxine barely knew what was happening before Valerie hustled her into the car.
It was Cleo’s car, of course.
Cleo was driving a Range Rover. There was plenty of space, so three adults and a kid fit easily.
But once they hit the road, nobody said a word.
Cleo was at the wheel, Valerie took the front passenger seat, and Maxine and Brian sat in the back.
Even though they were sitting right next to each other, both just stared out their own windows at the night, not saying a thing.
Valerie couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the sight.
She thought, ‘This kid wants to get close to his mom, but he’s clammed up like he’s got his mouth sewn shut.
She said, “Brian, your dad told me you won some award at school lately, right? Why don’t you tell me about it?”
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