Chapter 76

Theobald's fingers tightened on the steering wheel, his brow deeply furrowed. "So, you think Aaron doesn't want to come back because he's worried his adoptive mother will be a burden on us?"

He knew how considerate Aaron was.

Marguerite shared the suspicion. “That's probably it. He's being foolish. It's not like our family can't afford to support one more person."

It sounded like his adoptive mother had been good to him, which made her a benefactor to their family. They wouldn't turn their backs on her, even if she had some issues. But Aaron was only seventeen, still immature; it was natural for him to think that way. It was hard to imagine what Aaron's life had been like all these years, living with an adoptive mother with mental health problems. How did they support themselves? How did he afford to go to school?

Theobald's grip on the wheel tightened. “I've already had Anna look into him. Once we have his address, we'll go see for ourselves."

He was being a little fool. Now that they had found him, there was no way Marguerite and he would give up.

Marguerite hadn't eaten lunch, and on the way, she spotted a soup shop. They parked, and she went in and ordered a bowl of fish soup with a marinated egg.

After the first bite, she commented, "This soup is pretty average. Not as good as George's." Yes, George had made her soup before, and it was heavenly.

Theobald had already eaten lunch, but it was early evening now, so he ordered the same thing. He took a bite. "It's not bad. Pretty good, actually."

Marguerite shook her head. "That's because you've never had George's cooking. That man is a culinary god."

Theobald's mouth twitched. "It's not like I can just go ask him to cook for me, can I?" Could he just show up at George's villa in the morning and demand a bowl of soup? Obviously not.

Then, a realization dawned on him.

Oh no. Mr. Spencer had spoiled Marguerite's palate. Even after her sleep disorder was cured and she moved out, she wouldn't be able to get used to normal food.

"How about this? Ask Mr. Spencer

when he's free, and I'll go learn how to cook from him. I promise, from now on, you can have that taste

Whene you want."

that taste

He could spare an hour a day to learn; it would all dépend on the tycoon's schedule. George was clearly much busier than he was.

Marguerite thought it was an excellent idea. "Okay, I'll ask him tonight. That's very thoughtful of you, kid. As a reward, you can have my egg yolk."

The Wraith of Northpine, cold and ruthless in the eyes of the world, obediently ate the egg yolk his sister disliked. "Thanks."

It was dark when Anna called back.

"Mr. Scott, Aaron is known as a troubled student at Westside High. The teachers all have a hard time with him. And he does have a mother with a mental illness."

It matched what Marguerite had found out.

Theobald fiddled with the prayer beads on his wrist. "Did you get his address?"

Anna replied, “Yes. He lives in one of Northpine's roughest

neighborhoods, basically the slums. I wouldn't recommend going there at night. It's better to wait unti morning

They weren't in a rush. They took Anna's advice. Aaron had to go to school tomorrow, so they could catch him there and then go to his house together.

They spent some time at Theobald's office before heading back to the villa around nine in the evening. It wasn't too late, so Marguerite sent George a message asking him to open the gate. But two minutes passed with no response. She tried Calling him, but that went

unanswered too.

Marguerite frowned. "Where's George?"