Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Even His Lies to Her Were Full of Holes

[It’s me, Tristan Lawson. I should be back by the evening of the day after tomorrow. Have Mrs. Miller help you out more with Joshua.]

After sending the message, Tristan Lawson returned the phone to Sophie Hughes.

"Finish up that design soon. The exhibition is the day after tomorrow; bring it and show it to Director Ford."

Sophie Hughes nodded. "That was my plan as well."

"Alright, I’ll let you get back to it. I’m heading out for a bit."

After Tristan Lawson left, Sophie Hughes unlocked her phone and saved the number from the most recent call.

She then looked at the text message.

Afterward, she opened WeChat and sent a friend request to the new contact.

Message: Noelle, this is Sophie Hughes.

After Noelle Sutton received Tristan Lawson’s message, another notification popped up on WeChat—a friend request.

Her fingertips paused when she saw the contents of the message field.

’So Tristan Lawson used Sophie Hughes’s phone to call and text me.’

’So they’ve been together this whole time.’

Hah.

’A nephew and his aunt, sharing a hotel room. What kind of nonsense is that?’

’As my legal husband, Tristan Lawson isn’t even trying to avoid suspicion. He’s so shamelessly using Sophie Hughes’s phone to contact me.’

’What in the world does he take me for?’

’And to think he said Sophie Hughes was allergic to hotels and had to stay at our house.’

’Is she suddenly not allergic to hotels anymore?’

’He’s so careless he can’t even lie properly. His story is full of holes.’

’And what explanation was I even hoping for from him?’

The boarding call for her flight came. Noelle Sutton turned off her phone and got in line to board.

Once on the plane, she immediately closed her eyes to rest.

As for Joshua Lawson, she decided she couldn’t deal with him right now.

With Tessa Lawson there, he certainly wouldn’t be neglected.

Appendicitis is just a minor surgery. The incision wasn’t large, and Joshua Lawson’s wound was healing quickly.

The doctor said he could be discharged tomorrow.

Seeing it was getting late, Tessa Lawson called Noelle Sutton. She was ready to go home and have Noelle take her place looking after Joshua Lawson.

However, Noelle Sutton’s phone was off.

Tessa Lawson called Mrs. Miller.

"Where is your Madam?"

"She came back from the hospital this morning and said she was going out for breakfast, but she hasn’t been back since. She’s not answering her phone. Mr. Lawson even had Secretary Shaw send over a new phone for her. I’ve sent her messages about it, but she still hasn’t come back. Perhaps something urgent came up."

Tessa Lawson’s expression darkened instantly.

’That Noelle Sutton... neglecting her own son, not even coming home.’

’What is she trying to pull?’

Tessa Lawson grew more furious the more she thought about it. Joshua had been showing a preference for Sophie Hughes lately. She had warned Noelle Sutton about it several times, but the woman was completely unrepentant.

’What a hopeless case.’

"Mrs. Miller, I have plans tonight, so I can’t stay at the hospital with Joshua any longer. Come to the hospital, and please, try to find a way to contact your Madam as soon as possible."

"Okay, I’ll be right over."

Mrs. Miller brought a meal with her to the hospital.

Tessa Lawson only left after she arrived.

Mrs. Miller opened the food container, sat by the head of the bed, and said, "Young Master, let me feed you."

Joshua Lawson frowned. "Where’s my mom?"

His mom had been at the hospital with him last night and had only gone home this morning to rest. ’If she’s at home,’ he thought, ’she would definitely have cooked for me.’ 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Joshua Lawson had assumed Noelle Sutton had made his dinner.

But as soon as Mrs. Miller opened the container, he knew it wasn’t.

And so, he was a little unhappy.

"The Madam might have had to go out for something. Let’s eat first."

"I don’t want to eat."

He hadn’t eaten his mom’s cooking in days, and he dearly missed the taste that only she could create.

"Young Master, you need to recover. How can you get better if you don’t eat? Be a good boy and eat something first."

"I want my mom’s cooking. Call her. Tell her to hurry back and cook for me."

"Well..."

Mrs. Miller was in a very difficult position.

But Joshua Lawson’s face was a sullen mask, his pitiful expression heart-wrenching. He just wanted his mother’s cooking.

"Alright, I’ll call the Madam."

Mrs. Miller dialed the number, only to find the phone was turned off.

Mrs. Miller said softly, "The Madam’s phone is off, Young Master. Why don’t you just eat a little for now? When she gets back, I promise I’ll convince her to make you something delicious, alright?"

Joshua Lawson felt even more hurt and resentful.

Whenever he was sick before, his mom would care for him around the clock. But now, he wasn’t even out of the hospital yet... Forgetting about her not coming to the hospital or cooking for him, her phone was even turned off.

’What kind of mother acts like that?’

Unwilling to give up, Joshua Lawson used his own watch phone to call Noelle Sutton. Hearing the automated voice message stating the phone was off, tears instantly streamed down his face.

"Young Master... don’t cry. I’ll arrange for someone to find the Madam right away."

Mrs. Miller started to panic. This was the Lawson family’s little prince; if he kept crying, she would be in deep trouble.

Mrs. Miller put down the food container and went out to call Secretary Shaw.

Joshua Lawson dialed Sophie Hughes’s number.

As soon as Sophie Hughes answered the phone, she heard Joshua Lawson crying.

She asked, worried and anxious, "Joshua, why are you crying so hard? Did something happen?"

"SOB... Sophie... My... my mom... she won’t come see me at the hospital... and... and her phone... is off."

Joshua Lawson was crying so hard he could barely get the words out.

"Joshua, honey, don’t cry. Your mom’s phone probably just died. Don’t overthink it. Is no one there at the hospital with you right now?"

"There is. Mrs. Miller is here, but... I don’t want Mrs. Miller."

Joshua Lawson was still sobbing.

Sophie Hughes thought for a moment, then said, "Joshua, stop crying, and I’ll come keep you company. But I’m in Cygnus. I’ll get the soonest flight, but it will take at least three hours. You wait for me."

"Sophie, you’re so good to me."

Because Sophie Hughes was coming to keep him company, he immediately stopped crying.

"Well, that’s because our sweet Joshua is such a good boy and is always so nice to me. Don’t be sad anymore. I’m booking my ticket right now. I’ll be there very soon."

After hanging up, Sophie Hughes closed her laptop, pulled out her suitcase, and left a note on the table. She was already booking a flight online as she headed out the door.

Mrs. Miller explained the situation to Secretary Shaw: the young master wanted his mother, but her phone was off. She asked him to find a way to send someone to look for her.

Secretary Shaw, however, reported the news to Tristan Lawson first.

Tristan Lawson’s brow furrowed.

’I bought her a new phone, I even told her my schedule. What kind of tantrum is she throwing now?’

"Since Joshua wants to see her, go find her. Track her down."

"Understood."

Tristan Lawson ended the call and pinched the bridge of his nose.

’Forget it. I’d better head back first.’

’I’ll see how things are when I get there. I can always come back the day after tomorrow if needed.’

’This family situation... this isn’t what I wanted.’

When Tristan Lawson returned to the hotel, he didn’t see Sophie Hughes, and her computer was gone too.

She had left a note, though.

[Tristan, Joshua just called, crying his eyes out. He said Noelle hasn’t been to the hospital and her phone is off. I was worried he’d be too heartbroken, so I promised I’d go back to be with him. I’ve already left for the airport.]

Tristan Lawson immediately called Sophie Hughes. Learning she had only just left, he told her to book a ticket for him as well; he was on his way to the airport now.