Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 479

"Yes, sir."

The car fell quiet for a moment. Leonard thought for a bit, then filled in the gaps from the past few days-everything he hadn't reported yet. He hesitated, then added, "And about Mrs. Bennett... her throat's been bothering her lately, so she's been resting at home these past few days..."

"I know," the man replied, his voice tinged with a faint, amused warmth.

Leonard's expression shifted. He continued, "And, two days ago, Eugene dropped off our radar for a while. There's a good chance those people are already here."

The man's tone lost its smile in an instant. "But Cossio hasn't made a move yet," he said, clicking his tongue softly. "That old fox is being extra careful. Keep a close watch-they're bound to act soon... especially concerning Mrs. Bennett. Don't let your guard down around her."

"Understood."

Meanwhile, at Sunnybrook Elementary.

Adrian walked into the classroom and saw Julian sitting alone in the back corner, surrounded by a cluster of kids all talking at once. Julian, though, just stared into space, only occasionally mumbling a reply, stiff and absent, like a puppet with its strings cut.

Adrian's fists curled instinctively-he always had the urge to start a fight. But remembering Leonard's warning, he forced himself to hold back, took a few deep breaths, and finally strode over, pushing through the ring of classmates.

As soon as he appeared, Julian's dull eyes lit up.

"Adrian!"

"... Yeah." Adrian gritted out a reply. He reached into the desk and yanked out Julian's backpack, not caring whether Julian agreed or not. Grabbing his hand, he dragged him to the seat beside his own, tossing Julian's bag onto the chair. He muttered, not sounding all that thrilled, "From now on, you're sitting next to me."

But Julian just smiled.

something about Adrian that made him instinctively want to get closer. He reached out, trying to grab

wasn't sure. Either way, Julian stumbled, hit the edge of the desk, his face going pale with pain. He clutched his stomach in silence,

Adrian froze.

hadn't pushed that hard, had

there, head down, saying nothing. That only made Adrian angrier— until

and tugged at

times, he only whimpered quietly, his face white and slick with cold

realized something was

to his feet-despite being a year older, Julian was much

of scrapes and scuffles had made

nurse checked Julian over. "Adrian, are you fighting again?

her number with Ms. Stephanie, telling

Adrian bristled. "I just gave him a little push, barely touched him, and he

voice shaky but soft, "I just... my legs gave out. I wasn't

Adrian chimed

Stephanie still looked doubtful-Adrian was notorious for

other things, asked some questions and quickly figured out the truth: the boy was simply hungry, his

how you looked at it, it

call Julian's parents. But Julian, now a bit steadier, grabbed her sleeve, his face still pale. "Please, Ms. Stephanie, I'll be fine if

"If my folks find out I skipped breakfast, they'll be upset

"But you-"

worried his own mom might get dragged in if parents got involved. He grabbed Julian, steering

"You two-slow down!" Ms.