Chapter 44
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“ Mom , it’s just a scratch . No need for a doctor . It heal in a few days . I’m a little cold … I’m going upstairs , she mumbled , brushing past them without waiting for a response .
Zoe and Luke exchanged glances , both feeling something was off with Silvia tonight .
Silvia remained low spirited for the next two days , is an attempt to lift her mood , Zne asked Logan to buy tickets for an art exhibition in the neighboring city .
Silvia wasn’t much for painting herself , but she loved viewing artwork . Her bedroom walls were lined with prints from famous artists
Her favorite was Mono , which was a shame because his pieces had become almost impossible to find .
Hand in hand , they entered the exhibition hall
The space was hushed , even those who spoke kept their voices solt , absorbed in the world of color and canvas .
Silva loved this kind of atmosphere . She tugged Zoe excitedly toward a painting near the entrance . “ Mom ! I know this artist . When I first followed her she only had a few thousand fans ! ”
Zoe leaned in , admiring it too . “ You’ve got a good eye , Silvia . The brushwork looks wild at first , but the story beneath it . it’s powerful You can see the depth of the artist’s soul ”
Silvia beamed , the first real smile she’d shown in days .
They wandered the exhibit , quietly discussing their favorites , until Zoe’s phone buzzed .
She glanced at the screen , her expression tightening Giving Silvia’s hand a light pat , she murmured , “ Nathan’s teacher’s calling , I’ll be quick
sweetheart
“ Okay , Mom ,” Silvia replied .
Zoe moved to the lounge area and answered , “ Hello , Ms. Gibbs . ”
Valerie Gibbs began , “ Mrs. Saxon , I’m sorry to bother you … ”
It turned out Larkridge High School had recently hosted a friendly basketball match and lost two games in a row to Stonemere High
Nathan , unable to stomach the defeat , had led his friends onto the court .
Jensions ran high shoving led to punches almost immediately .
Someone from Stonemere High School played too dirty and injured a student from Larkridge High School .
Nathan already had a short temper , and this time he simply couldn’t hold it back . Then , a fight broke out .
Teachers who tried to break it up got caught in the chaos , taking a few hits themselves .
Fortunately , teenagers heal fast – most injuries were superficial
But before the dust even settled , trouble struck again .
On the way out , a player from Stonemere rassed girl from Nathan’s class . Nathan exploded and fought him too .
Unfortunately , one of the boys he fought was Stonemere’s top student , whose furious parents now demanded consequences , claiming the brawl would
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affect their son’s chances at being valedictorian
And the player who’d harassed the gift He ended up hospitalized – his parents were ready to sue
By the time Zoe finished bearing the full story , she had a headache blooming behind her eyes . She said a few brief words to the teacher , then , without hesitation , dialed Logan “ Your son’s been fighting again . You po handle i
Without waiting for a reply , she hung up and switched off her phone , determined to enjoy the day with Silvia .
Logan stared at his phone for a long moment , massaging his temples before grumbling to his assistant , “ Caleb’s stil not back ! ”
“ No , sir ,” the assistant replied . “ I did reach out . He doesn’t sound too happy ”
Grinding his teeth , Logan muttered , “ Two rebellious brats . One runs away from home , the other picks fights at school . They’re both determined to make my life hell . ”
He waved a hand irritably “ Contact Valerie . Find out what the other side wants . If we can settle it quietly , do it
“ Understood , ” the assistant replied .
At Cole Manor , Liam slammed the court notice down onto his desk in his study , snorting coldly,
He left the room and climbed the stairs , meeting Hannah as she stepped out of the training room , still toweling sweat from her neck .
“ Hannah , ” he called , taking the towel from her hands and gently wiping her down . “ I’m sorry you’re having to go through all this ”
“ It’s fine ,” she said simply
The first time Hannah had seen the training room , she’d fallen in love with it , even though knowing it had once belonged to Aria made her uncomfortable
The equipment was top – notch , wildly expensive .
Aria had been wasteful while Hannah was not .
Besides , everything had been thoroughly cleaned and repaired . It would do for now .
They
hey descended the stairs together .
“ I received the summons , ” “ Liam said , voice low . “ The court’s arranging a mediation . I won’t agree to let Aria walk away with Cole family shares . ”
He squeezed her hand . “ After the divorce is linalized , I’ll replace every piece of equipment in the training room . It belong only to you . ”
Hannah allowed a small smile to touch her lips . “ We’ll be back in Erenland soon . It’d be a waste . No need to splurge ”
Liam’s grip tightened . “ I’m making the decision . Anything Aria’s touched , I won’t keep , ”
A flicker of pleasure it Hannah’s eyes , though she kept her face neutral . “ As you wish ”
Just then , the butler rushed into the foyer , his voce flustered as he said , “ Sir … there’s a man outside . He claims to be Miss Aria’s … ex husband ”
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