Rift in the perfect picture

1

I laughed at my own foolish thoughts. How could a dead person leave a note? it was probably just Nicholas avoiding divorce. Such a lame excuse to run away!

I left the hospital and went back to the manor. I figured he had to come home eventually. Claudia 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 Nicholas?”

She jumped, clutching her chest in surprise. “Ari, you scared me.”

“I asked, is this soup for Nicholas?” My voice was cold.

Frances smiled awkwardly. “Yes, and there’s some for you too. You’ve been taking care of Nick, so | 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 relationship. 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 him later. 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 Nicholas had gone?

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

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

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

My mind was elsewhere. I scooped up some soup and glanced at Frances. “These herbal tonics seem familiar.”

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

“I was saving these for you later, 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.”

“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 Nicholas 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 Claudia. 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 Nicholas 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 her composure. Her expression turned cold immediately.

“Ari, what are you trying to say? Are you accusing 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 Claudia live comfortably for the rest of your lives.”

“For me?” Frances was in disbelief.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“Yes. I have Jones Corporation, and that’s enough for me. To be honest, I don’t want any more ties with Nicholas. 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.