If Adrian refused to leave, there wasn''t much she could do.


    All she could do was fulfill her responsibility.


    Still, before she left, she had to consider what might happen if Adrian was willing


    to go but unable to. She was definitely heading to the UK, which meant she needed someone trustworthy to stay behind and look after Adrian.


    The Montgomery family was out of the question-getting them involved would only make things messier.


    That left Forrest.


    With an organization protecting him, neither Cossio nor the Montgomerys would easily get to Adrian... and, honestly, Forrest was the only person she trusted right now. Leaving Adrian with him gave her peace of mind.


    What she didn''t expect was just how much Adrian disliked Forrest.


    But she had to try.


    "Adrian, I''ll be heading out soon. During the day, Mr. Whitmore will stay with you. If you need anything-meals, help, whatever-just ask him... If something reallyes up, call me, okay?"


    Lillian''s Manor.


    She led Adrian on a short tour of the house, making sure he got his bearings. Once that was done and remembering she had to leave soon-M finally spoke.


    They''d agreed on this n the night before.


    Adrian wasn''t happy, but he nodded.


    As M''s car disappeared down the drive, Adrian''s gaze fell on the man in front of him—his gentle smile never wavering. Instantly, Adrian''s face darkened. With a huff, he turned to march back inside, making it clear he had no intention of acknowledging Forrest.


    He didn''t want this man''spany at all.


    But as he turned, Forrest''s handnded lightly on his shoulder. Before Forrest could say a word, Adrian snapped, "Let go! When Mom gets back, I''m telling her you hit me!"


    This little brat.


    He could change moods faster than flipping a switch.


    Forrest just kept smiling, his tone patient. "You can tell her whatever you want, but your mom wants to see photos of you eating and having fun while she''s gone. Otherwise, she''ll worry. Are you sure you don''t want to help her feel better?"


    He knew the kid was clever. After what happened at the Pembroke estate, their motives were clear enough-no need for pretense.


    He decided to be blunt.


    He was betting Adrian wouldpromise for his mother''s sake.


    "Don''t touch me!"


    Adrian shook off Forrest''s hand, ring. He didn''t say another word of protest, but he wasn''t backing down, either; instead, he jabbed a finger at Forrest.


    "Don''t think I don''t know what you''re up to. As long as I''m here, you can forget it— I''ll never ept you!"


    As if that wasn''t enough, he added furiously, "You adults are all the same-so fake!"


    Forrest couldn''t help butugh.


    He ruffled Adrian''s hair on purpose, feigning innocence. "Call me Mr. Whitmore. And what makes you say I''m fake? Did I do something to upset you?"


    "Don''t touch me!"


    Adrian pped his hand away, face flushed with anger, especially after remembering the phone contact he''d seenst time.


    Forrest just smiled, unfazed by Adrian''s repeated rejection. ncing at his watch, he asked gently, "So, Adrian, is there anywhere you want to go today? I''m happy to take you."


    "No!"


    "Alright, then you''ll just have toe with me to work." Forrest''s grin widened, unbothered.


    A restaurant near the hospital.


    It was an elegant ce, sunlight streaming through the windows onto the table where M and Nathaniel sat across from each other. Neither seemed to know what to say.


    They hadn''t sat together like this in ages.


    Let alone shared a meal.


    The awkwardness lingered until the waiter brought their food, dish after dish breaking the silence. Finally, M found her voice and exined why she''de.


    "I was going to speak with your


    sister Sophia about this, but she said


    it wasn''t her concern and told me to talk to you. It''s about Ms.


    Stephanie''s suspension-you


    probably know the details. She really wasn''t at fault, and the punishment is far too harsh... If you want her reinstated, we both have to agree to drop the matter.”


    "Then let''s drop it," Nathaniel replied.


    M blinked, surprised at how easy that was. She''d expected the Pembrokes to


    be more difficult. "Thank you. Is there anything you want in return?"


    "Why would you think that?"


    Nathaniel gave a rueful smile.


    "This whole mess was Sophia''s doing. It was wrong, and I share the me for not stopping her. It''s not right to keep pushing... Besides, you''re the one asking. Our family already owes you more than


    enough."


    in


    He paused, his voice growing heavy. "M, I''m truly sorry. I couldn''t stop her."


    He knew everything Sophia had done.


    And he hadn''t been able to prevent it.


    "As long as it''s resolved, that''s what matters."


    M had no interest in the Pembroke siblings'' drama. She listened, but her only


    response was cool and nomittal.


    Still...


    When she thought of Julian, she


    l.not


    hesitated, then added, "Sophia probably won''t do anything more Julian for now, but there''s no guarantee about the future. If t goes on, she''ll ruin that boy''s life and maybe even put him in danger."


    "You''re his uncle. You can petition the court for custody... Just think about it."


    She didn''t have much faith in Nathaniel, either.


    But he was still better than Sophia.


    At least he wouldn''t hurt the child or back him into a corner... She hoped Nathaniel would fight for custody-he was family, and he had a real chance.


    She''d said all she could.


    As she stood to leave-having no intention of sharing the meal-her body suddenly tensed. Her heart raced, and she froze where she stood.


    Just now.


    That prickling sense of being watched surged, stronger than ever.


    Whoever it was made no effort to hide it.


    It was like a knife at her back.