NovelBook“What trouble? You kids these days only care about work-so busy you forget to eat, and when you finally do, you
only care about looking sharp, never about staying warm. The seasons are changing, you know. | put sbroth
in there for you. Make sure you have something hot, understand?”
Karen, a mother of several children, could never help herself once she started fussing. Her voice brimmed with
affection.
Max didn’t seem annoyed at all. He nodded and agreed to everything she
said.
“Since Leo’s staying with us for a while, why don’t you cover for dinner after work if you're free? I'll make
your favorites. Actually, it works out perfectly today-let’s go together.”
“Maybe next time. I still have things to take care of today.” Max's tone softened a little. It was still somewhat
stiff, but at least it wasn’t as biting
or cold as when he spoke to others.
Karen looked disappointed. “How about Sunday, then? You don’t work weekends, do you?”
Max glanced over at Alessia, who only shrugged, making it abundantly clear she wasn’t going to help him escape
this time-and was maybe even enjoying the show.
He let out a barely audible sigh. “Alright.”
“We'll head out now, then, You'd better con Sunday. Don’t worry about Leo-I'll take good care of him, and
Ivan will keep him company.”
Max nodded and watched them head to the car.
“See you, Max!” York called, as Max lifted him into the back seat.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“Don’t make trouble for Karen,” Max said, putting a hand on York’s head and giving his hair an awkward, clumsy
ruffle.
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11:01
Chapter 408
“Got it.” For once, York didn’t talk back; he simply nodded, unusually well-behaved.
“See you! Remember to heat up your food before you eat.” Alessia waved at Max before climbing into the car
herself.
Max stood there watching until the car disappeared down the drive, then finally turned and headed inside. York
poked his head out the window, but Alessia quickly warned him to sit back, and the window locks clicked into
place.
Ivan reached over and patted York's hand. “Don’t worry. If you miss your brother, you can always call him. He'll
be joining us for dinner on Sunday,
too.”
He spoke quietly, right into York's ear.
“I don’t miss him,” York mumbled, not very convincingly.
Ivan didn’t call him out-he just squeezed York’s hand, and that was enough.
Back at the villa, Max returned home. It was strange: just one person gone, and the place already felt empty. He
could almost see the scenes from earlier-one person and one dog playing noisily in the corner-so vivid in his
mind’s eye that he had to blink to clear them away. When he opened his eyes, there was nothing left.
“Have someone tidy up that corner,” he said.
“Yes, sir,” the housekeeper replied.
“Actually, leave it for now,” Max changed his mind suddenly, for reasons he couldn't quite explain,
The housekeeper nodded, asking no questions.
“Would you liketo heat up your dinner?”
At that, Max finally looked down at the bag he was still holding.
“Yes. And send the pastries up to my study.”
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11:01
Chapter 408
“Of course.”
The housekeeper took the bag and left, while Max headed upstairs.
The villa felt so quiet it was almost as
if no one lived rege) MeanWhile,
the Morten farrily was lively as
ever. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
York, carefree as always, had already
teamed up with Ivan for sgame.
The only thing damgeqing Bis Spirits
1 € \
was thdtZehe-who had somehow
convinced his parents—had been
dropped off by their driver to stay the
night as well. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Karen loved kids, so she left the three
boys in the playroom together and
went off to the ee help
{enemy Kies 1a, though, was
left between the three of them,
listening to their endless tales and
tattling about each other's
embarrassing moments at school.
Alessia herself had no idea what it was about her that made the three boys cling so tightly, refusing to let her
leave.
It was exhausting, but Alessia listened patiently, not once showing the slightest trace of annoyance.
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