Iughed at my own foolish thoughts. How could a dead person leave a note? it was probably just Nichs avoiding divorce. Such ame excuse to run away!


    I left the hospital and went back to the manor. I figured he had toe home eventually. udia and Frances were still here after all. Where could he hide?


    The house was empty and quiet except for some activity in the kitchen on the first floor. Frances was still making some soup. I approached the door quietly and asked, "Is this soup for Nichs?" She jumped, clutching her chest in surprise. "Ari, you scared me."


    "I asked, is this soup for Nichs?" My voice was cold.


    Frances smiled awkwardly. "Yes, and there''s some for you too. You''ve been taking care of Nick, so I thought you might need some as well. Have it before you go back to the hospital."


    She put herself in a very low position as if she really wanted to mend our rtionship. But I remembered. how harsh she had been to me before. Even now, her kindness seemed insincere. "I just came back from the hospital."


    "Oh? Really?" Frances stopped serving the soup, turning to look at me.


    "In that case, maybe I''ll go visit himter. You don''t need to wear yourself out."


    I studied her face. She seemed genuine, not like she was faking it. Could Frances really not know where Nichs had gone?


    She handed me the soup and guided me to the table. I didn''t refuse and instead asked her about udia,


    When Frances mentioned udia, her tone was proud. She said udia had grown up and was about to graduate. She had told Nichs she would be interning at the Hawk Corporation.


    For some reason, I felt a sense of relief and understanding. There was no way Nichs would let himself die. He still had udia to take care of. He was probably just avoiding me and staying with udia.


    My mind was elsewhere. I scooped up some soup and nced at Frances. "These herbal tonics seem familiar."


    "Yes! Remember I went all the way to ken City to get these herbal tonics for you? You took some with you, but I kept the rest here.


    "I was saving these for youter, but since you and Nick have been so busy, I thought I''d prepare them now while I was making his soup. It''s good for your health too."


    Frances swallowed nervously and looked at me with expectation, just like before.


    "Alright then. I''ll drink it after it cools down a bit."This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    "Okay!" Frances agreed and went to wash her hands. "Il take Nick''s soup to the hospital in a bit."


    ""Mom, don''t rush."


    Calling her "Mom" caught her so off guard that she stumbled a little.


    "What''s the matter, Ari?"


    "Mom, you know that things between Nichs and me have been quite unpleasant because of the divorce." Frances nodded, looking sad despite her excellent acting skills.


    $


    still hope you two can work things out. Let me talk to him. Men don''t even know how to soften


    coax their wives."


    up


    and


    "This may be how it is for us." I forced a bitter smile. "Speaking of men, none of them are ever kind. Even Dad didn''t leave anything for you and udia. How are you two supposed to live?* Frances looked awkward. "It''s okay. At least there''s Nick. He''s different from his father. He''s very sentimental.


    I snorted internally. She certainly understood Nichs well. If he weren''t sentimental, she wouldn''t still be living in that house.


    "True, but as an elder, always asking


    your son for money isn''t quite right. And going out with friends for.


    shopping or tea without even having your own card is a bit embarrassing.


    Frances couldn''t maintain herposure. Her expression turned cold immediately.


    "Ari, what are you trying to say? Are you using us of spending Nick''s money? We never touched yours!" "Mom, you''re taking it the wrong


    way


    We''re family, there''s no yours''


    and mine"."


    I smiled and continued, "Nick and I aren''t getting along, and divorce is only a matter of time. Before Dad passed, he left me seven percent of the shares. "After the divorce, it wouldn''t feel right for me to keep them. I think giving them to you would ensure you and udia livefortably for the rest of your lives." "For me?" Frances was in disbelief.


    "Yes. I have Jones Corporation, and that''s enough for me. To be honest, I don''t want any more ties with Nichs. If you agree, I''ll have my assistant contact you." Frances was so shocked that she couldn''t speak. I knew this was an enormous temptation for her.