?


    Lydia nodded. "Okay, Ms. Kinsey."


    Shortly after, Lydia returned with Mason by her side.


    When Mason saw Gabriel and Wilhelm standing at the door, he frowned and turned to N. "Mommy, why is Wilhelm here?"


    N patted his head gently. "He''s here to apologize to you."


    "Oh." Mason''s response was wary, clearly unconvinced.


    Gabriel observed N''s affectionate interaction with Mason, his eyes flickering with a trace of emotion. He turned to Wilhelm. "What did you promise me before we came?"


    Wilhelm''s reluctance was evident. He had agreed to apologize, but only under the threat of losing his chance to see his mother.


    "Mason, I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have pushed you yesterday. I hope you can forgive me," Wilhelm said, his voice subdued.


    Mason didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he looked up at N, silently seeking her guidance.


    "Buddy, this is your decision to make," N said softly. "I''ll respect whatever you decide."


    Mason lowered his head, thinking for a moment.


    Finally, he spoke. "I wasn''t hurt this time, and you apologized, so I''ll forgive you. But this is thest time. If it happens again, I won''t forgive you!" A rare smile broke across Wilhelm''s face. "Thank you, Mason!"


    His relief was palpable-earning Mason''s forgiveness meant his father would now keep his promise to arrange a meeting with his mother.


    N remained impassive as she turned to Gabriel. "Mr. Hackett, now that this is resolved, you can leave with Wilhelm."


    From the start, she had no intention of inviting them inside. She had onlye to the door to ensure his son wouldn''t freeze in the cold.


    Gabriel''s gaze darkened as he took in N''s frosty demeanor. "N, I''d like to talk to you. There are too many misunderstandings between us." "There are no misunderstandings," N replied icily. "And there''s nothing to discuss."


    With that, she shut the door firmly.


    Outside, Gabriel sighed, leading Wilhelm away.


    He wasn''t in a hurry. The copse of Prospectus Technology was inevitable, and he believed time would eventually work in his favor.


    Back in the car, Wilhelm immediately turned to his father. "I want to see Mom."


    Gabriel dialed a number and handed


    the phone to Wilhelm once it connected. "Talk to her yourself if


    she agrees to see you, I''ll take her."


    you to


    On the other end, Jane''s voice was cold and distant. "Gabriel, do I need to remind you that we''re divorced? What is the meaning of this constant harassment?"


    "Mommy, it''s me, Wil," Wilhelm interjected eagerly.


    There was a pause before Jane responded, her tone still icy. "You''re with your father now. Don''t contact me anymore."


    Wilhelm''s eyes filled with disbelief and sadness at her frosty words.


    "Mommy, Daddy promised to bring me to see you. I want to see you!" His voice trembled, a mix of desperation and tears.


    He couldn''t understand why his


    et


    mother, who had fought so fiercely


    for him just days ago, was now so cold Did she find someone else, someone bad?


    "I don''t have time. Don''t call me again. Pretend I''m dead," Jane said tly before ending the call.


    Wilhelm stared at the phone in shock as tears pooled in his eyes.


    Gabriel patted his son''s head, his tone calm and coaxing. "Wil, don''t cry. How about I take you to eat something delicious?"


    Although Gabriel didn''t know why Jane''s attitude had changed so abruptly, the situation yed perfectly into his hands.