NovelApexChapter 765
Hayes didn't have a second to waste. With a few quick taps on his smartwatch, he activated the tracking app
and synced the mysterious online friend's location to his device.
Now, not only could he keep tabs on their whereabouts at any moment, but his watch would also buzz with an
alarm if they cwithin thirty feet of him.
With that task accomplished, a content smile spread across his face.
He glanced at Manley with an air of casual indifference and stood up, ready to head out, his words sparing as
ever:
"Let's go grab sburgers."
Manley was utterly baffled.
What had Hayes just done? It seemed almost magical.
He watched Hayes's retreating figure, a blend of cool detachment overlaying it,
realizing Hayes wasn't the sadorable kid he used to know.
Ever since Dad and Teresa had passed away, Hayes had changed.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtManley couldn't quite put his finger on what was different, but Hayes was quieter now and seemed less
interested in hanging out.
Even when Manley offered his favorite action figure to Hayes, the gesture was met with lukewarm enthusiasm.
Manley had thought maybe Hayes was holding a grudge because of past squabbles, but that didn't seem to be
the whole story.
If Hayes really disliked him, why would he share the secret of the mysterious online friend - a detail not even Ms.
Marguerite knew?
Manley couldn't figure Hayes out.
Letting go of his confusion, Manley's mood lifted at the sight of the action figure on the bed. He grabbed it,
bouncing out of the room to join Hayes at the dining table, eagerly biting into a juicy chicken leg.
Marguerite had lost weight, her dresses hanging looser than before.
Jocelyn, noticing with a pang of concern, piled her plate with more food before finally speaking up:
"Marguerite, Penelope's flying back tonight. Can you take the kids to the airport to pick her up? I've got
something in the afternoon and won't make it back for dinner."
Marguerite barely touched her food, pushing her plate away after a few bites. "Did Powell clooking for you
at Cresthaven again?"
"No, | need to head over to Stonebridge City."
"Stonebridge City?"
Memories of Stonebridge City flickered through Marguerite's mind like scenes from a movie, each one reopening
old wounds.
"Penelope moved Poppy Petal Fragrances' headquarters here to Cresthaven, but there's sstuff to sort out at
the Stonebridge City office. I'll check it out."
"Jocelyn, that should be my job. Why did my mom send you?"
Jocelyn's gaze softened as she looked at Marguerite, who hadn't smiled in months. The death of Frederick and
Teresa had hit Marguerite hard, leaving her listless and disinterested in life.
Penelope hoped a change of scenery might reignite Marguerite's spirit. After her divorce from Hackett, she
quickly relocated the company to Cresthaven, the bustling economic hub.
Jocelyn and Powell Winston had gone their separate ways, leading Jocelyn and Manley to follow Penelope.
Since then, Jocelyn had been taking care of the kids while Penelope entrusted Marguerite with the company's
responsibilities. Marguerite threw herself into work, trying to fill the void left by her grief, but her pain remained.
Not wanting to worry their elders, she kept her emotions under wraps.
"I can handle the trip to Stonebridge City. | know the company's affairs best,"
Marguerite insisted, her voice emotionless.
Jocelyn looked worried. "Are you sure?"
"Why not? It's just work," Marguerite replied, feigning strength.
Her determination left Jocelyn at a loss for words.
Hayes, who had been listening quietly, seized the opportunity to join the trip, eager to escape the confines of
home:
"Grandma, | wanna go to Stonebridge City with Mom! School starts tomorrow... | don't wanna stay home!"
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