Chapter 765

"But Vernon is your son. That's an undeniable fact," Xenia said, her voice firm. "Vernon is very smart. Take him back and let him be formally accepted into your family. Clifford and Beatrice are getting older, and they've been hoping for a great- grandchild for years. You'd be making their dream come true."

"You've got it all figured out, haven't you?" Maynard sneered. “First step, get the boy accepted by the family. Second step, use the child to secure your own position. You know I won't marry you, so you plan to use our son to have the Maynard elders force my hand. Xenia Cooper, don't try to use your business tactics on me. I can tell you right now, I will never marry you. You can give up on that idea for the rest of your life!"

"You've misunderstood,” Xenia said, her expression placid. “I no longer have any feelings for you. You don't have to worry about me using Vernon to entangle you. I just think Vernon deserves a normal family, and the Maynard family is a much better environment for a child to grow up in than the Cooper family."

Maynard eyed her, skeptical. "You say you won't, and I'm supposed to believe you? Xenia Cooper, you're too manipulative. You have no problem crossing any line to get what you want. I don't trust you."

"Then we can sign a legally binding agreement," Xenia offered. "And if an agreement isn't enough to convince you, how about I swear on my life? If I, Xenia Cooper, ever bother you again, may I—"

"Forget it!" Maynard cut her off. "I'll have the agreement drafted. But before that, I'm taking Vernon for a paternity test. Until the results are in, I expect you not to take matters into your own hands and contact my family."

Xenia nodded. "Don't worry, I won't."

His mind in complete turmoil, Maynard didn't want to stay a second longer. He turned and left without another word.

Xenia stared up at the ceiling, tears falling silently from the corners of her eyes.

That night, at Pearbrook Mansion.

After dinner, Vernon played with his younger brother and sister in the back garden for a while before heading back to his room to do his homework. He was currently enrolled at Northborough's finest boarding school, staying there from Monday to Thursday and coming home on Fridays. Previously, Xenia had scheduled other classes for him on weekends, so he always had to finish his schoolwork on Friday nights. But since her incident, Stewart and Briony had temporarily cancelled his weekend lessons, worried he was under too much stress.

Vernon was an incredibly self-disciplined child. Even without weekend classes, he was still in the habit of completing his homework on Friday night. Of course, he had his own little motive: once his homework was done, he could spend the whole weekend playing with his little brother and sister without any distractions.

Marlene gave the two little ones their baths and brought them to Briony's room. It was a special night; they had been promised they could sleep with their mom.

The two children played on their mother's big bed, waiting and waiting. But by nine o'clock, their

parents still hadn't returned. Then et

but refused

little girl was exhaubbing her eyes,

to give in to sleep

she tossed and turned on the bed, determined to stay awake. Mario, ever the good boy, couldn't fight his internal clock and had already toppled over on a pillow, fast asleep.

When Briony pushed open the door, she saw her daughter's tiny figure sitting on the bed, propped up by her little hands, her head nodding as her eyelidsfluttered, refusing to close. Seeing such a sight, a mother's heart instantly melted.

She hurried inside, slipped off her shoes, and lay down on the bed, pulling her

daughter into her arms. "Mommy's back, Little Nina. You can sleep now."

Little Nina turned over, snuggling her face into her mother's embrace. Finding that

familiar, comforting spot, she drifted peacefully to sleep.

Stewart opened the door. "Marlene was asking if you've eat-"

Briony put a finger to her lips, shushing him.

Stewart paused. Seeing that both his children were asleep, his expression softened jnstantly. He walked in

quietly, turned off the main light net

<

leaving only the small nightlight on. Then he carefully lifted Mario who was sprawled on a pillow, placed him next to Little Nina, and tucked them both in.

Briony reached out and stroked Mario's cheek. The three of them snuggled together,

a sight that made Stewart's heart ache with tenderness.

He moved behind Briony, leaned down to kiss her ear, and whispered, "What do you want to eat?"

Their trip to the hospital had made them late, and both were still hungry.

Thinking he was going to ask Marlene to cook, Briony said, "Some pasta would be nice."

Stewart smiled. “Okay. I'll go make it."