“Buddy, Uncle Oliver is always so kind to you. He would never hurt you, and I would never let anyone harm you either. No matter what, you are the most


    Mason’s once–downcast eyes lit up. “Even more important than Uncle Oliver?”


    “Of course. No matter who I’m with, you’ll always be my number one,” N replied.


    Mason hugged her tightly. “I love you the most too, Mom.”


    N gently patted his back, sensing he had noticed the changes between her and Oliver and felt insecure. As smart as Mason was, he was still almost f


    father figure growing up, it was natural for him to be more sensitive than other children.


    N silently vowed to spend more time with him, ensuring he felt secure.


    After getting Mason to sleep, N returned to the living room, intending to read for a bit. Just then, her phone rang. It was Edgar.


    “N, Mr.


    Sumner’s secretary reached out today. They’re nning a seminar for theirpany’s R&D team and asked if you could share some of your experience


    N pressed her lips together. Seeing Damon again, she knew it would be hard to avoid future encounters.


    Still, she wasn’t looking to rekindle anything. Since he didn’t remember her, running into him shouldn’t be an issue.


    “Okay, I understand,” she replied.


    After hanging up, N picked up her book but was unable to focus. Her biggest fear now was that Damon might one


    day learn about Mason and try to take him away.


    Frustrated, she set the book down and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.


    Mason had been with her all these years. He had no emotional attachment to Damon, so even if Damon tried to im him, it wouldn’t be easy.


    Still, the thought gnawed at her. She tossed and turned all night, finally falling asleep just before dawn. Even then, her dreams were haunted by the fear


    taken him, hiding him somewhere she couldn’t find.


    The nightmare startled her awake.


    By Friday noon, N had just finished lunch when she received a call from Luca.


    “Hello, Ms. Kinsey. This is Luca Fleming, Mr. Sumner’s secretary. Mr. Sumner asked me to pick you up. I’m downstairs now,” Luca said.


    “Thank you, Mr. Fleming. I’ll be down in five minutes,” N replied.


    “No rush,” Luca said.


    After quickly gathering her things, N headed downstairs. From a distance, she could


    already see the parked ck Maybach, its license te a sequence of Impressive numbers.


    Luca stood beside the car and opened the door as she approached. “Ms. Kinsey, please.”


    Just as N was about to get in, she noticed the man sitting in the backseat.


    Damon’s tall frame was d in a sleek ck suit. He held a document in his hand, his side profile cold


    and distant.


    The atmosphere around him was so forbidding that it sent a chill down her spine.


    Sensing her hesitation, Luca exined, “Ms. Kinsey, Mr. Sumner just finished a business meeting and needs to head to the branch office, so he offered


    to pick you up on the way.”


    N nodded. “Okay, thank you.‘


    She got into the car, sitting as close to the door as possible. Despite her efforts, she still couldn’t escape the faint scent of pineing from


    Damon. It surrounded her like an invisible, making her feel suffocated.


    $


    Damon nced at N, noting how she was practically pressed against the door. His gaze hardened as he asked in a low voice, “Ms. Kinsey, am I that t