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." Adrian was far from convinced. "So what if I do take a swing at him? You could cover for me. Mom would never find out!" He just couldn't let it go.

"I won't help you," Leonard said flatly. "If you lay a hand on him, I'll tell your mother myself. She won't fall for the strick twice." What Leonard didn't say was that this time, things were different. Julian-soft- hearted, gentle Julian-was still someone Mrs. Montgomery liked and knew well, even after a year apart. If the two boys really clashed, there'd be no doubt whose fault it was.

Mila would never believe Adrian.

Adrian fell silent.

Leonard went on, "No fighting. Learn to hold back. Get close to him-earn his trust. That'll give you all the chances you need to break him down." "...I don't get it," Adrian muttered, eyes downcast.

"I'll teach you," Leonard said quietly. "But Adrian, this has to stay between us." "We can't tell Mom?" "Exactly." "...Fine." After dropping Adrian off at school, Leonard didn't leave right away. Instead, he lingered by the curb for a while. It wasn't long before Sophia emerged.

She lit a cigarette as she walked over, offering Leonard the pack. He refused, and she raised an eyebrow. "When'd you quit?" The Pembrokes and Montgomerys had always been close. Sophia was a 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 in time. "Are you sure about this?" Leonard countered.

"Of course," Sophia replied, taking a drag. "I've never gone back on my word. Do what you have to do. If anything goes wrong, I'll take the fall." She scowled, irritation flashing across her face. "I'm sick of my son being so fragile. What kind of man falls apart at the slightest push? d rather be tough on him than keep tiptoeing around and raisinga coward." She was never one for sugarcoating things.

After getting out of prison, she'd found her son turned into a soft, timid thing and after his betrayal, she couldn't stomach it. Nathaniel Pembroke hovered anxiously, interfering with how she wanted to raise their child.

In her eyes, that caution and coddling had made him weaker, not stronger.

So why not cut to the chase? Break that brittle shell. Either he'd toughen up, or he wouldn't. And if he couldn't... well, she'd find another way.

She exhaled a plof smoke and grinned. "Lysander's not bad, though. Got sof his father's bite, even at his age. Want to trade?" Leonard studied her for a moment, then turned and got in his car.

Sophia shrugged.

It had only been a few years, but everyone seemed so sensitive now.

Still, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy for Mila-her kid was sharp, ruthless even. She liked that Pity Mila clearly wasn't the type to nurture those strengths; the boy's spirit was always being suppressed. Not quite as tough as his father used to be-but close enough. Would her own son ever show sbackbone? The thought soured her mood, and she ground out her cigarette with a scowl.

Leonard waited until he was a safe distance away before dialing a number and switching to speakerphone. The call connected quickly; a deep, gravelly voice answered.

"You dropped him off? How's Adrian?" "He agreed to give it a try," Leonard replied.

The man chuckled softly. "Growing up, is he?"

Leonard frowned. "Sir, this is still risky. He might not be able to handle it. If-" "Sophia's not worried, why are you? the man said with a dismissive laugh. "I just don't want Adrian-"

"Just keep an eye on him," the man instructed coolly. "If it ever gets to be too much, shut it down. Bring Sophia in after all, it's her own son. No reason she should get a free pass."