Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 336

Phoebe glared at the van across the street, her lips pressed into a tight line.

"Someone's watching you."

Wren followed her gaze.

The van finally merged into the morning rush hour traffic, quickly disappearing behind a city bus.

"Let them watch," Wren said. "The closer they tail me, the more mistakes they'll make."

Her quiet voice cut through the morning chill, strangely calming Phoebe's nerves.

Watching Wren get into the car, Phoebe suddenly recalled the girl from their college days standing on stage, passionately dissecting algorithmic models. Wren had been so young then, radiating a clean, brilliant sharpness. Later—through marriage, motherhood, and managing the Langford family—it felt as though life had sanded away her light.

But light didn't vanish so easily.

It just hid in the shadows, waiting for a spark.

At 4:10 PM, Lawrence Langford's car pulled up outside the elementary school.

He was twenty minutes early for his scheduled visitation.

He stepped out of the vehicle before his driver could even open the door. The school gate was crowded with parents waiting to pick up their kids, holding water bottles, jackets, and homework folders, chatting in small groups under the shade of the trees.

Lawrence stood among them in a pristine suit, the expensive watch on his wrist gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

People stared at him.

He was entirely used to those stares, but today, the gazes held no flattery or awe. They were just ordinary parents taking a brief, curious glance before going back to discussing dinner plans or their children's phonics homework.

For the first time, Lawrence realized he had absolutely no advantage in a place like this.

When Ms. Miller came out, she froze upon seeing him.

"Mr. Langford?"

Lawrence nodded. "I'm here to pick up Leo."

Ms. Miller checked the time, her tone gentle but firm. "Visitation is from 4:30 to 5:20 in the family reading room. Ms. Whitaker sent me The Visitation Confirmation Sheet this morning."

Lawrence frowned, the movement almost imperceptible.

"I know."

Ms. Miller quickly added, "Leo is doing alright today, but he is highly sensitive to sudden changes. Try to stick to the schedule."

Try.

The word grated on Lawrence's nerves.

Back at the Langford Estate, no one would ever dare tell him how to see his own son.

But he didn't snap.

He had even shown up twenty minutes early.

"Whoever he contacts won't change the truth."

Lawrence's voice dropped an octave. "Digging into Vivian Vance's past is going to drag a lot of people down."

Wren looked at him, her gaze deadpan.

"Are you afraid it'll drag the Langford family down?"

Lawrence's jaw tightened.

He wanted to say he was just looking out for her, to warn her that this was far more complicated than she thought. But Wren shoved the sheet into his hand, drawing an uncompromising boundary line between them.

"Today is Leo's visitation," she said. "Don't mix everything together, Lawrence."

The school gates opened.

Children flooded out, scattering like confetti in the wind. Leo walked in the middle of his line, his eyes lighting up the moment he saw Wren. But when he noticed Lawrence standing there, he slowly came to a halt.

Ms. Miller knelt down and whispered to him.

Leo nodded and walked over to them.

"Mom."

Wren knelt down, adjusting the straps on his backpack.

"Your dad is right on time today. You'll spend fifty minutes with him in the family reading room, and I'll be waiting right here at the gate. If you want to leave early, just ask Ms. Miller to bring you out."