Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 478

"Leonard!"

Adrian practically exploded at the front gate. "Why are you stopping me? That guy's a fraud-he tricked me! And what he did to my mom..."

He was so angry he could barely get the words out.

Leonard, as calm as ever, simply replied, "Young master, I know I told you before that you could do as you pleased, but not this time."

"Says who?"

Adrian stared at him in disbelief. "Leonard, are you actually taking his side?"

His voice was so loud he was almost shouting. People coming and going through the school gates stopped to stare. Leonard, not one for putting on a show, grabbed the furious, struggling boy and hustled him into the car. Once the doors and windows were shut, the outside world faded away.

Leonard's tone was unruffled. "Your mother's still in the country, Adrian. Do you really want her to get another call about you starting a fight?"

That shut Adrian up instantly.

He clenched his jaw, frustration burning in his eyes. "But I can't stand him! How dare he show up in front of me? I haven't forgiven him for what he did before!"

"Patience,” Leonard said, ruffling Adrian's hair with a practiced gentleness. "You're young, but this is a good opportunity. Listen to me, Adrian-not everyone you dislike has to be an enemy. Try being his friend first."

"What?" Adrian gaped at him. "Why should I?"

Leonard didn't blink. "Didn't you want to learn how to handle problems without making a mess? Resorting to violence is clumsy. If anything happens to him, you'll be the first suspect, and you'll be putting yourself in a bad spot. Remember- smart people don't back themselves into a corner."

swing at him? You could

just couldn't let

"If you lay a hand on him, I'll tell your mother myself. She won't fall for the same

that this time, things were different. Julian-soft- hearted, gentle Julian-was still someone Mrs. Montgomery liked and knew well, even after a year

would never

Adrian fell silent.

Get close to him-earn his trust. That'll give you all the chances you

it," Adrian muttered, eyes

said quietly. "But Adrian, this has to stay between

"We can't tell Mom?"

"Exactly."

"...Fine."

Leonard didn't leave right away. Instead, he lingered by the curb

long before Sophia

walked over, offering Leonard the pack. He refused, and she raised

few years older and, in this generation, commanded a certain respect. But after six years in prison, her memories of old friends felt a little frozen

you sure about this?" Leonard

course," Sophia replied, taking a drag. "I've never gone back on my word. Do what you have to do.

What kind of man falls apart at the slightest push? d rather be tough on him than keep tiptoeing around

one for sugarcoating

soft, timid thing and after his betrayal, she couldn't stomach it. Nathaniel Pembroke hovered anxiously, interfering with how she

and coddling had made