Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 265

By the time Lawrence returned to the Langford Estate, the sun had already risen.

The headlights swept across the courtyard, illuminating the white roses for a brief second before they sank back into the morning mist.

Wren happened to be walking downstairs as he walked in.

She was holding Leo's water bottle and reading log, her hair tied in a low knot, wearing a light gray cardigan. Seeing Lawrence enter, she didn't break her stride, simply setting the water bottle down on the dining table.

Lawrence had his suit jacket draped over his arm. His shirt collar was loosened, and a very faint trace of perfume clung to him.

It wasn't his scent.

And it wasn't the fragrance typically used at the estate.

Wren noticed it immediately.

She didn't ask.

She didn't even let her gaze linger for a second longer than necessary.

Her complete lack of reaction made a suffocating wave of frustration press heavily against Lawrence's chest.

He would have preferred it if she had sneered, interrogated him, or even shown a flash of disgust.

Instead, she turned toward the kitchen to speak to the maid. "Don't make Leo's milk too hot today."

Standing in the entryway, Lawrence suddenly felt as if his reckless indulgence, his lust, his desperate attempt at retaliation last night had all landed on empty air.

It hadn't hurt her at all.

It had only dirtied him.

Hearing the commotion, Eleanor walked out of the living room. Her expression shifted slightly when she saw him covered in morning dew, but she quickly masked her reaction.

"Working late again last night?"

Lawrence didn't answer.

Eleanor shot Wren a pointed look, clearly speaking for her benefit. "When a man is out building his career, his family should be understanding. You can't just keep track of every little thing."

Wren carried a breakfast plate out and set it at Leo's place setting.

"Eleanor, you can save that lecture for Leo," she said coolly. "If he asks why his father didn't come home all night, you can be the one to explain it to him."

Eleanor's face stiffened.

Lawrence frowned. "Wren."

She looked up at him. "What's wrong? Didn't your mother just say family should be understanding?"

Her single sentence choked Eleanor into silence.

Small footsteps echoed from the stairs.

Leo came down hugging his little bear picture book. His eyes lit up when he saw Lawrence, but hesitation quickly clouded his face.

Each student may invite one family member to attend.

Theme: The 'My Family' Portrait Day.

Date: Next Wednesday, 9:00 AM.

Wren stared at the printed words, her heart sinking slightly.

Eleanor spoke up before she could. "Perfect timing. I heard about this yesterday."

Wren glanced up.

Eleanor picked up her coffee, adopting a casual tone. "Each child can only bring one family member. Wren, aren't you swamped with that Stellaris review thing? And Lawrence is busy with the company. If you ask me, don't overcommit if you can't make it. You'll just end up disappointing the boy."

Leo's hand stopped over his milk glass.

Wren ignored Eleanor and looked directly at her son. "Leo, who do you want to go?"

Leo froze.

It felt like no one had ever asked him that question before.

He looked at Lawrence, then at Wren.

His small face was a mix of longing and deep-seated fear.