Barclay stood frozen in place, like he'd been struck by lightning.
Morwenna got married? No, it was Stuart who got married?
Barclay looked utterly crestfallen.
Morwenna thought to herself, Barclay really cares about Adelaide.
Knowing that Stuart was married and that Adelaide was no longer an option, Barclayâs heartache was clear.
Barclay was so lost in his thoughts that he didnât even notice his phone buzzing incessantly.
The caller seemed determined to reach him, dialing one call after another until Morwenna, unable to watch any longer, reminded him, âBarclay, your phoneâs been ringing off the hook. You gonna answer that?â
Without even glancing at the caller ID, Barclay picked up the phone in a daze.
The next second, he was met with the scolding of a middle-aged woman on the other end.
âBarclay! What have you done this time, blowing through a million bucks? Was it for that manipulative Adelaide again? How did I end up with such a blockhead for a son? Get back here this instant!â
Snapping back to reality, Barclay quickly covered the phoneâs mouthpiece, embarrassed that Morwenna overheard his momâs tirade.
Morwenna cleared her throat and turned away, pretending not to listen, though she had heard every word.
And she couldnât help but agree with Barclayâs mom.
Adelaide was trouble, no doubt about it.
Barclay shifted awkwardly, whispering, âMom, Iâve got something to take care of, Iâll come back later.â
âWhat could you possibly be busy with? Running off to the Vaughn estate, dragging Fletcher along to treat Adelaideâs brother, right? Adelaide only had to give you a sweet look, and there you go, heart on your sleeve. Get yourself home now, or I swear Iâll go find Adelaide myself.â
âMom! How can you say that?â
âEnd of discussion! If I donât see you in twenty minutes, Iâm hunting down Adelaide.â
The voice on the phone was so loud, Morwenna, sitting right next to Barclay, could hear every word crystal clear.
With a sympathetic tone, Morwenna said, âYou better head home, Barclay. Iâll manage just fine here.â
âHow can I leave you here? What if that old hag gives you trouble?â
Morwenna chuckled, âDo you really think she can get the better of me? Or do you think youâre stronger than I am? Go on, donât let your mom worry.â
Barclay was at a loss for words. Indeed, he couldnât even best Morwenna in strength. If anything happened, who would be protecting whom?
With a sigh that made him look like a deflated balloon, Barclay conceded, âAlright... Iâll head back then.â
Mainly because if he didnât, his mother might actually storm out in the middle of the night to confront Adelaide.
âGo on, then,â Morwenna waved him off.
With Barclay gone, Morwenna sat back down, alone.
Violet shot Morwenna a few venomous glances but was ultimately more concerned about her son to make a scene.
Glancing at her phone, Morwenna noticed Stuart hadnât reached out to her yet, so she sent him a message: âStuart, Iâll be home late tonight.â
After waiting a bit with no reply, Morwenna assumed Stuart was still caught up with work, not giving it another thought.
After all, Stuart was known for his late-night work marathons, often sleeping in the mornings.
Intent on getting back to her writing, Morwennaâs phone pinged twice suddenly.
Expecting it to be Stuart, she checked her messages only to find a text from Claude.
âMs. Winslet, I finished the book you brought over the other day. Are you leaving again tomorrow? Could you bring me another book?â
Morwenna was astonished. The book she had delivered was a hefty volume; how had Claude managed to finish it so quickly?
Worried, she responded, âDid you stay up all night reading? Your eyes arenât in the best shape, and staying up like this is bad for both your eyes and health.â
No sooner had she sent her message than Claudeâs reply came through.
âIâm sorry, Ms. Winslet, I just got so caught up. I wonât do it again. So, will you bring me another book tomorrow?â
How the Ice King Became my Doting Billionaire Husband ï¤Chapter 340 My Beloved Has Risen from Death's Embrace ï¤Chapter 492 Claude waited anxiously for her response, glued to his phone. His reason for staying up wasnât so much the enthralling content as it was his hope to see Ms. Winslet once more.