?


    Gabriel nodded. "I understand. But I know both children''s personalities well. Buddy isn''t the type to start trouble. Wilhelm, on the other hand, has been difficult at hometely. I''d guess this was his doing again, wasn''t it?"


    Laura''s expression changed before she nodded. "Based on what I''ve gathered, it seems that Wilhelm insulted Mason first, which led to the fight. "However, Mason threw the first punch, so he''s not entirely meless."


    N, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "Ms. Ferrier, what exactly did Wilhelm say to Buddy?"


    Laura looked troubled. She hesitated, clearly reluctant to share. The things Wilhelm had said were inappropriate, and she felt awkward repeating them in front of the parents.


    "H-He said something about you wanting to marry Mr. Hackett and be his stepmother," she finally managed to say.


    The room went quiet again.


    N let out a coldugh and turned to Gabriel. "Did you teach him to say that?"


    Gabriel''s expression changed slightly. "N, do you really think I''d say such things to him?"


    "If not you, then who? Me? Buddy? Do you think I''d ever want to marry you?" N retorted.


    Seeing the disgust in her eyes, Gabriel took a deep breath and said slowly, "N, I have no idea why he said such things, but I promise you, it wasn''t me. If you don''t believe me, there''s nothing I can do about it."


    "Fine, let''s assume it wasn''t you. But your son saying such things to mine-don''t you think you should reflect on why a child his age would even think like that?" N replied.


    She didn''t believe for a second that Wilhelm hade up with those words on his own.


    Gabriel nodded. "You''re right. This is my fault. I apologize, and I''ll make sure to educate him better moving forward. He won''t say anything like this again."


    His tone was sincere, but N couldn''t care less whether he was genuine.


    "Since you say so, I have nothing more to add. As for Wilhelm''s medical bills, I''ll cover them," she replied.


    After all, Mason had injured him, and refusing to pay would be unreasonable.


    "There''s no need. This started because of Wilhelm. I wouldn''t feel right epting any money from you. N, I''ll apologize again on Wilhelm''s behalf. I''m sorry," Gabriel said.


    N pressed her lips together. "Take


    him to the hospital for a checkup just in case. If there''s any cost,det me know, and I''ll cover it. I don''t want any unnecessary troubleter."


    She also nned to take Mason for a checkup, just to be safe.


    Seeing her insistence, Gabriel relented. "Alright. How about you and Buddy ride with me to the hospital? That way, you can get him checked, too." "There''s no need. I have my car, and the hospital is nearby. I''ll meet you there," N refused.


    With that, she took Mason and left.


    Once in the car, N turned to Mason. "Buddy, are you sure you''re okay? I''ll have the doctor give you a thorough checkupter."


    Mason shook his head. "Mommy, he didn''t hurt me."


    "Really? You''re not feeling any pain anywhere?" N asked once more.


    "No," Mason answered.


    Seeing that he wasn''t lying, N finally rxed a little. "You can''t be so impulsive next time, do you hear me? When I got the call saying you were fighting at school, I was scared to death."


    "I''m sorry, Mommy," Mason apologized.


    She reached out and ruffled his hair gently. "I know you were angry because of what Wilhelm said, but next time, tell your teacher first. If the teacher doesn''t handle ite tome. I''ll take care of it, okay?"