Chapter 206

Claire blocked Dominick’s path. "Mr. Vanderbilt, it's late," she said gently. "Sonny said you haven't been well. I made you soup. Please rest."

Dominick bristled. "I'm leaving on a trip. I haven't time."

Claire gasped. "A trip? Now? You can't ignore your health!"

Julian snapped, "If you hadn't insisted on that ridiculous bonding exercise, he'd be resting already."

Claire stammered, "I only suggested it for Sonny, and Mr. Vanderbilt agreed..."

Dominick cut her off. "Ms. Horn, your job is Sonny. Don't worry about me." He brushed past her, radiating frost. Julian followed, a disdainful glance at Claire.

She stood there, soup tray in hand, bewildered. Why was Dominick so rude?

Meanwhile, at Paisley’s, Serena slept soundly. Maria offered Paisley warm milk. "Max made Rena so happy today."

Paisley nodded. "I thanked him."

Maria pulled Paisley onto the couch. "Paisley, honestly—are you planning to stay single forever?"

"Why?" Paisley asked, surprised.

"You should consider finding someone."

"Not now."

"Paisley! You're so young! You can't stay single forever! Don't you miss having a man?"

Paisley choked on her milk. "Maria! You sound like Emery!"

Maria raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with that? She's right! You can't live without a man!"

Paisley smiled wryly. "If the right person comes along, sure. But for now, I'm taking things as they come."

Maria sighed, remembering her mother's pressure. "Well," she said regretfully, "I think you and Max would be great."

Paisley understood. Maria had been gushing about Max all day. "Maria, don't. Max is here for his sister. Once he finds her, he's leaving Harrowfell. He's not coming to Brightmoor."

Maria dropped the subject.

Exhausted, Paisley felt dizzy. "I'll be very busy next week," she told Maria. "I might stay out overnight. Rena's your responsibility. Call me if anything happens; otherwise, go to Lucy."

Maria took the empty cup, concerned. "Take care. Don't overwork."

Paisley teased, "Don't you want to go back to Brightmoor? That's why I'm working overtime. Once I'm done, we can leave sooner."

"Great!" Maria exclaimed.

Paisley was incredibly busy. Scheduling conflicts forced script changes, which she handled herself.

At a children's restaurant, Serena looked glum, missing her mother. Maria had brought her after kindergarten.

"Maria, can I see Mom?" Serena asked.

"We'll call her after we eat," Maria reassured her.

"Rena! Is that you?" A boy called from the door. He ran to Serena. "It's really you!"

Serena looked up. "Grayson? What are you doing here?"

Grayson beamed. "It's really you!" He wanted to say "Sister," but pride stopped him.

Claire entered, disdainful. "Sonny, what are you doing here? This place is unsanitary! You'll get sick!"