Kaitlyn whirled around in surprise, her heart pounding. She hadn''t expected Alexander to be home. She quickly recovered her equilibrium, her voice taking on a stern tone. "You don''t even offer a greeting before demanding to know someone''s whereabouts? This house is teeming with people, Alexander. Whom are you seeking?"


    Alexander''s gaze swept over the mother and daughter before he repeated his question, his voice resolute. "Where is Quinn?"


    "Quinn, Quinn, always Quinn. Have you lost all regard for your own mother?" Kaitlyn retorted, her voiceced with bitterness.


    Alexander''s brow furrowed, but he offered no further words to Kaitlyn. He turned on his heel and made for the door.


    As he neared the entrance, Kaitlyn''s voice rang out, sharp andmanding. "Stop right there, Alexander!"


    He didn''t turn back.


    Kaitlyn''s voice rose in frustration. "Alexander, I said stop!" Her words carried an unspoken threat, a secretnguage shared only between the two of them.


    Finally, Alexander paused, his back still turned to Kaitlyn. She rose from the sofa and strode over to him, positioning herself in front of him to meet his gaze.


    "Alexander, I''ve heard about thepany. The old man summoned you back for business matters, didn''t he?" Kaitlyn questioned, her eyes locked onto his.


    His gaze met hers, his voice nonchnt. "And?"


    Kaitlyn, slightly irked by his demeanor, softened her voice. "Alexander, you''re my son. Would your mother ever wish to harm you?"Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    He offered no response.


    "Freya told me. You helped her sell her shares. If I''m not mistaken, they''re now in your possession, correct?" Kaitlyn continued, her voice steady.


    Alexander''s eyes narrowed, silently urging her to continue.


    Kaitlyn pressed on, her voiceced with determination. "While I''m unsure of your intentions, I''m willing to surrender my shares to you if you agree to divorce that dummy."


    At this, Alexander couldn''t suppress augh. Kaitlyn mistook his amusement for agreement. "She''s just a dummy, Alex. The Kennedys have supported her enough over the years. It''s not worth sacrificing your happiness for her. Do you understand what I''m saying?"


    "So you''re suggesting that you''ll only relinquish your shares if I divorce Quinn?" Alexander rified, his voiceced with incredulity.


    "Exactly, my son. You can''t be married to a dummy. Just divorce her, and if you wish to bring home someone like that Getty girl, I wouldn''t object!" Kaitlyn insisted, her voice filled with conviction. "Mom, do you still think I''m a child?" Alexander questioned, his voice tinged with disbelief.


    Kaitlyn was taken aback, momentarily at a loss for words.


    His gaze was piercing, his eyes filled with a chilling detachment that sent a shiver down Kaitlyn''s spine. They were mother and son, yet his look was colder than that of a stranger. Without uttering another word, Alexander turned and departed. Kaitlyn''s fingernails dug deep into her palms as she watched his tall figure recede, towering over her own stature. When had it be necessary for her to crane her neck to look at him? She realized then that he had grown up. He was no longer the obedient son who followed her everymand.


    A sharp painnced through Kaitlyn''s chest. Clutching at her heart, she nearly copsed but was steadied by a nearby servant.


    "I''ve always wanted what''s best for him. How could he treat me this way?" Kaitlyn''s voice choked up, filled with grief and resentment.


    "Madam, Alexander''s nearly thirty. If you continue to control his life, it will only push him further away," the servant advised, her voice gentle yet firm.


    When Alexander found Quinn, she was pinned to the ground by two servants, her knees stained with blood. The pain radiated from her knees, threatening to consume her. As she felt herself on the brink of copse, the servants hoisted her up, forcing her to kneel on shards of ss.


    Sweat beaded on her forehead. Despite the biting winter chill, her back was drenched and her tangled hair clung to her sweat-slicked face.


    As Quinn teetered on the edge of consciousness, she noticed a figure approaching from the corner of her eye. Lifting her gaze in a daze, she saw Alexander''s towering figure, just as he hade to her rescue in their youth. Seeing the stern expression on Alexander''s face, the servants exchanged frightened nces, too terrified to release Quinn.