439 Hello Mother


    (Jayden)


    Evening settles over London as Viktor and I sift through the day''s progress in my suite. The investigation is


    almost over.


    I lean back in my chair, arms crossed, as Viktor shows me a file on his tablet.


    "I''ve identified the staff member who delivered the envelope," Viktor says, his voice steady.


    "Someone in the Nexus Globalwork?" I ask, leaning forward.


    Viktor nods. "No. A junior member of the investigation team. She''s young, new to thepany."


    "Did she know what she was doing?"


    "Unlikely Judy has a knack for using people without them realizing they''re being used. We''re watching her


    for now. It''s better Judy believes her line ofmunication is secure."


    "Yes, It was most likely a one off just to get that envelope on my desk."


    Viktor nods, but before he can respond, there''s a knock at the suite''s door. He exchanges a nce with me before heading along the hallway to answer it. I remain seated, my mind already racing with possibilities. It has to be her.


    I don''t move though. I stay seated like I''m not interested.


    Very shortly after in walks Judy, her presence filling the room like an icy gust of wind. I nce up. Viktor is


    behind her.


    "Hello Mother."


    "Hello Jayden."


    I put down my pen and look at her. Her perfect exterior makes my skin crawl. Her satisfied smile is firmly in ce. "Viktor," she says, her tone smooth as silk. "Would you be so kind as to make us some tea? Earl Grey. There''s a good man."


    Viktor nces at me, and I give him a subtle nod. "Of course," he says evenly, disappearing toward the


    kitchen.


    Judy steps further into the room, her movements calcted but unhurried. "Jayden," she says, her smile never wavering. "It''s been too long."This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I stay seated, keeping my expression neutral. "Perhaps."


    She takes a seat across from me, crossing her legs elegantly. "I''m sorry for all you''re going through. I really


    am."


    I let her words hang in the air for a moment, watching as she adjusts the cuff of her sleeve with practiced


    ease. "Here to say, I told you so?"


    439 Hello Mother


    +26 BONUS


    Her smile tightens, but herposure remains intact. "Can''t a mother check in on her only son? I was hoping it was time we mended fences."


    I don''t respond immediately, instead leaning back and studying her. "How long are you staying in London?"


    "That depends," she replies lightly. "I mean, if we are going to spend some time together, London is perfect. How long will you be here?" "Until Winona and the kids leave for the States."


    Her eyes sh with interest, and a calcted smile spreads across her lips. "You''re letting them leave without you? That doesn''t seem very... fatherly."


    I shrug. "It''s over for us. But the kids need stability, and right now, I''m the one disrupting that."


    Her gaze sharpens, but her tone remains syrupy sweet. "You know, Jayden, you really should consider getting custody of your children. It would be best for them to have consistency. Winona''s decisions haven''t exactly been exemry."


    My stomach twists, but I keep my expression neutral. "Winona is their mother. She''s a good one. I won''t do anything to upset the kids'' routine more than I already have."


    Judy leans forward slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But Winona isn''t the mother of all of them, is she?"


    Her words hit me like a p, but I don''t flinch. Instead, I meet her gaze, my tone measured. "My schedule doesn''t allow for taking care of four kids full-time."


    "Then don''t," she says smoothly. "Henry and Abby are yours. She can keep the other two. It''s not like they matter to the Brennan name."


    The sheer audacity of her statement almost makes me lose myposure. Almost. "They''re a family," I say evenly. "All four of them. Breaking that apart isn''t an option."


    She tilts her head, her expression thoughtful but with an edge of condescension. "You''re too sentimental. It''s not a bad trait, but it clouds your judgment. Sometimes practicality has toe first."


    "Sometimes," I agree, my voice cold. "But not this time. My mind is made up."


    D


    Viktor returns, cing a tray with a teapot and two cups on the table. Judy''s smile flickers briefly toward him, and she lifts the teacup with a graceful hand. "Thank you, Viktor. You''ve always been su a dependable presence."


    He doesn''t respond, stepping back and taking a position near the door, his eyes on me.


    Judy sips her tea, her gaze lingering on me over the rim of the cup. "You''ve changed," she says finally. "I''ll give you that. A little more backbone than before."


    "Change is inevitable," I reply, my tone t. "My priorities are leading Nexus Global into the future."


    Her smile broadens. "Indeed. As it was always meant to be."


    "How are things at Brennan Industries?"


    "Oh...you know, going strong. Mia is learning fast. Lance quit. Phillip is filling his shoes just fine."


    490 Hello Mother


    "Mia? As in Greg''s daughter?"


    "Yes, I''ve sponsored her on a work visa."


    "Are they selling their shares?"


    "No chance at this point."


    Inod.


    "We should have dinner." I say and hate hearing those words out of my mouth.


    "I''m free tomorrow evening."


    "I''ll message you time and ce."


    "See you then, Jayden." She stands and walks towards the door. "And no need to bring your watchdog. I promise I''ll be good."


    Iugh as if she''s cracked the world''s best joke. "See you then, Mother."


    She leaves and I shake my head at Viktor.


    "God help me, Viktor. Better pray. I''m going to need it."