Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 266

"Can Mom go?"

Wren nodded. "Yes."

Leo's eyes instantly brightened.

Eleanor's expression darkened. "You agreed awfully fast. Aren't you drowning in work? Don't make the boy wait for nothing when you end up having to work late."

Wren folded the notice. "I will make time."

Eleanor scoffed. "Willow can go. She's his aunt, she's young, and the kids love her. Besides, she runs a recovery support project now. She's naturally good at communicating with children."

The milk glass clinked softly against the table.

Leo kept his head down, his knuckles turning white.

Wren saw it.

Her tone turned icy. "That won't be necessary."

Eleanor frowned. "What do you mean, not necessary? Willow is family, too."

"Willow isn't his guardian, nor is she the person Leo wants to invite," Wren replied, slipping the notice into her bag. "You don't need to arrange this."

Eleanor let out an exasperated laugh. "So now you're dictating who the child is allowed to be close to?"

Leo suddenly spoke up, his voice barely a whisper. "I want Mom to go."

The dining room fell dead silent.

His voice was soft, but it sliced right through the thick tension at the table.

Eleanor's face soured. "Leo, Grandma isn't saying Mom can't go. Grandma is just worried Mom will be too busy."

Leo shrank into his shoulders and didn't say another word.

Wren reached out and gently covered his small hand.

"He made himself very clear."

Lawrence had remained silent the entire time.

Only now did he look at Eleanor. "Mom, let Leo decide."

Eleanor stared at him in disbelief. "You're letting her have her way, too?"

Lawrence's tone grew colder. "I'm letting my son have his way."

It was the first time he actually sounded like a father defending his child.

But it was too little, too late. Leo simply glanced up at him briefly before lowering his head to finish his milk.

Wren offered Lawrence no praise.

She simply packed Leo's bag and took him to school.

Wren didn't say another word.

She took her son's hand. "Let's go."

That night, it was past nine o'clock when Wren finally returned to the Langford Estate.

The Stellaris guest list for the symposium was mostly finalized, and the Thorne Trust had provided a preliminary framework for fund supervision. She had sent Leo a voice message from the car, letting him know she'd be late but promising to look at his building block house as soon as she got back.

When she walked in, the living room was empty.

Only a single wall sconce was lit.

As Wren bent down to change her shoes, Lawrence's voice cut through the shadows behind her.

"So you do know how to come home."

She paused.

Lawrence was sitting on the sofa, an untouched glass of liquor on the table in front of him. His tie was undone, his sleeves rolled up, looking like a man who had been stewing in the dark for hours.

Wren stood up straight. "Is Leo asleep?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll check on him in the morning."