bChapter /bb222 /b

    bThe /bman led them upstairs and gave them a tour of the second floor. True to Hamlin’s word, the ce had everything one could possibly need, not bedrooms and ba /bstudy, but also a home theater and even a game room.

    Maxine wondered what kind of mindset had possessed Gabriel to decorate the rooms this wayb. /b

    The man seemed to pick up on Maxine’s thoughts and gave a small, knowing smile. “Mr. Jenson personally oversaw the decoration of every broom/bb, /bse they’re all highly entertaining, perfect for Mr. Mason to stay in.”

    Standing beside Maxine, Brian snorted disdainfully. “I don’t care for games,” he said, “I’d rather focus on my studies.”

    The man paused briefly, then quickly replied, “Of course, Mr. Jenson anticipated this. He even had a study prepared for you in advance, so you wouldn’t get bored during your stay.”

    As he spoke, he opened the door and revealed a room with walls entirely lined with bookshelves. At the center stood an exquisitely crafted study desk He stepped inside and pressed a button beside the desk, causing amp to gradually rise from its surface. Turning to Brian, he said, “Thismp’s brightness is adjustable for studying. If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’ll be happy to bring it for you.”

    Standing at the doorway, Brian stared at him expressionlessly, then suddenly mmed the door shut. He looked up at Maxine and said, “Momb, /blet’s go and rest. I’m sleepy.”

    The butler opened the door and said with a hint of resignation, “We’ve got your room ready, it’s right next door.”

    He was about to usher Maxine and her son inside, but she raised a hand to stop him. “No need for you bto /be in,” Maxine said, “London can show us the way.”

    The butler didn’t insist. He watched as they entered the room before finally turning to leave.

    Maxine followed London into the room with Brian in tow. The space was immactely arranged, and even the wardrobe was stocked with fresh loungewear. Closing the wardrobe, a mocking smile crossed her lips. ‘So this is what Hamlin calls being self–made, even his kidnappingse with five- star hospitality,‘ she thought.

    The bedroom also featured a balcony with massive floor–to–ceiling windows, offering a breathtaking view of the snow–covered mountains below.

    Brian walked over to the floor–to–ceiling window and gave it an experimental push. Maxine knew exactly what he was doing, testing whether the window could be opened, whether they might escape directly from the bedroom.

    Seeing this, London rushed over and pulled Brian back, She tried to say something, her voiceing out in frantic, incoherent soundsb, /bwhile anxiously waving her hands at him and pointing at the window with a look of fear.

    Only then did Maxine realize that London was mute.

    Brian sensed she meant no harm, He nced back at the floor–bto/b–ceiling windowb, /bthen at London’s frantic gesturesb. /bAfter ba /bpause, bhe /bventured, “Are you saying it’s dangerous there?”

    London’s eyes

    lit.

    up

    with relief, and she nodded eagerly.

    A dozen thoughts shed through Maxine’s mind in that instant, but since she and London weren’t that familiar yet, she simply said, “Londonb, /bbwe’d /blike bto /brest now. You may leave.”

    London nodded, mimed making a phone call, and pointed to her own phone, her way of saying Maxine could just btext /bher bif /bbshe /bbneeded /bbanything /b

    Only after receiving Maxine’s approval did London leave bthe /broom, finally at ease.

    Maxine took out her phone and meticulously checked the room. After confirming there were no cameras bor /bbrecording /bbdevices/bb, /bbshe /bbfinally /bbrxed /bbinto /bba /bchairb, /bfixed her son with a stern look, and said, “So, you think you’re all grown up nowb? /bbIs /bthat why you took bmatters /bbinto /bbyour /bbown /bbhands /band bcame /bbhere /b

    bwith /bthem?”