?


    N had wanted to discuss things properly with Mason, to make him open up slowly and tell her the truth. Now, she felt the urgency to figure out how that money hade about as soon as possible.


    She rarely spoke so sternly to Mason, so he was startled and dropped the block on the floor.


    Mason''s eyes were red, but he stared at N defiantly, refusing to speak.


    N pressed, "Buddy, who is this master of yours?"


    Why would they give Mason so much money out of the blue?


    "I won''t say!" Mason responded firmly.


    N''s brow furrowed in anger as her patience wore thin. "If you don''t tell me, I''ll take away all your electronics starting today."


    Mason yelled, "I hate you, Mommy! You''re not the loving mommy you used to be anymore!"


    After shouting, he spun on his heel and ran upstairs.


    Momentster, the m of his door echoed through the vi.


    Hearing themotion, Damon emerged from the study and walked into the living room. He saw N standing there, visibly upset.


    "What happened? Did you fight with Buddy?" he asked.


    She nodded, her voice tight with frustration. "I asked him about the money again. He identally let it slip that he has a ''master.'' I think that''s who''s been transferring money to him."


    She paused before adding, "You''re right. We need to get to the bottom of this."


    Just the thought of someone transferring so much money to a five-year-old made N''s heart lurch with unease. What did the other person want?


    Damon hugged her tofort her..


    "Don''t


    askerry too much. I''ve alread


    asked for this to be looked into, and we''ll find out about it soon.  SV


    "Besides, I thought about it. If the other party is willing to give Buddy so much money, they probably aren''t trying to deceive him.


    "Don''t fret about it. For now, let''s focus on keeping Buddy safe."


    His calm demeanor seemed to soothe N, and she sighed. "You''re right. Starting tomorrow, I''ll keep Buddy at home with me. I don''t have any work right now, so I can watch him closely. Once we''ve figured everything out, we can decide what to do next."


    Damon hummed in agreement.


    Upstairs in Mason''s room...


    Mason walked into the bathroom with his phone and dialed a number.


    After a few rings, the call connected, and a young man''s voice echoed. "Buddy, what''s wrong?"


    Mason sniffled. "Master, I might not be able to talk to you for a while."


    "Why are you crying? What happened?" the young man asked.


    "My mom found out about the


    money in my ount. I identally let it slip about you. Now she


    dants


    to take away all my electronics,"


    Mason exined. swnovel


    The man on the other end of the call paused before speaking. "The money is yours. You earned it. Didn''t you tell her that?"


    "I did, but she doesn''t believe me..." Mason whined.


    "I see. Well, for now, just do as your mom says. Don''t worry-we''ll see each other soon," the man reassured.


    "Really?" Mason widened his eyes in disbelief.


    He had been under his master''s wing for two years but had never met him.


    His master had always said they would meet one day, but Mason had always assumed he''d need to grow up first before that could happen.