CHAPTER 269

Although Mack was apologetic on the surface, he actually reproached Brian on the inside.

Given the unconventional nature of their job, authorized personnel wouldn't be allowed to leave the research base for a month or two—sometimes even four or five months. However, they would also be given a one- or two-month break after the project, and it depended on how long they had been isolated.

In Brian's case, he had been given at least three to four long holidays in the past two years. However, according to Belle, it had been about two-plus years since she last saw her son. It wouldn't be that much of an issue if Brian hadn't gotten any breaks, but the man never paid his sick, old, dear mother a visit even once when he was indeed given holidays. Was this even reasonable?

As outrageous as he thought Brian was, he couldn't say it upfront and even had to cover for him.

What was more, Brian was Belle's son. It was one thing for her to complain about her own son, but another if someone talked badly about him.

As such, Mack could only coax Belle with whatever would calm her down.

About half an hour later, Brian entered Mack's office only to be stumped when he saw his mother. "Mom, it's really you. Why have you come all the way here?"

Belle initially had lots to say, but all of a sudden, she didn't know where to begin upon seeing her son. After all, she hadn't seen him in two years.

Her outstanding son used to be her pride, and like any mother, she saw him as important as her own life—perhaps even more. However, ever since he married Rachael and gradually neglected her and

Alex, her pride for him died bit by bit and was replaced by disappointment.

Nonetheless, it wasn't until she saw her sallow, malnourished, withdrawn grandson this time that her long bottled-up frustrations and grievances exploded. Now, the youngest son she used to be so proud of looked loathsome to her, and it even seemed like he was her enemy. Oh, how she hated herself for giving birth to such a heartless, ungrateful monster!

Brian, on the other hand, was dumbstruck when he saw his mother staring icily at him like she was looking at an enemy. "Mom, what's wrong? W-Why are you looking at me like that? Did something happen?"

"What's wrong?" Belle sneered and swung the hand holding Alex toward Brian. "Why don't you see for yourself? This is your seven-year-old son!"

Brian forced a smile at the boy after taking an apprehensive and hesitant look at him. "Alex, what has gotten into your grandmother? Why has she come to Dusktown? Why didn't you tell me before coming? I could've gone and picked her up."

However, Alex pursed his lips and said nothing, looking at his father with a face enveloped in emotionless frost.

Apprehensive, Brian shifted his gaze to his mother before turning back to his son. "Mom, Alex, what in the world is going on? What happened?"

"Answer me this, Brian Carter." Belle bore into her son. "Do you know anything about Rachael's abuse toward Alex or the fact that he's being underfed under your care? A seven-year-old, yet he's been

starved to the point of looking like a five-year-old."

"That's impossible!" Brian denied it without a doubt. "Rachael treats Alex really well, Mom. Look at the times we're in, Mom. What kid gets starved these days? You have to believe me, Mom. Rachael has been taking great care of Alex, I swear."

"Great care?" Belle was so livid that she trembled in anger and slapped her son. "Are you stupid or evil, Brian?"

She continued, "Take a good look at your son." She pointed toward the sallow and malnourished boy with a trembling finger. "He's sallow, scrawny, and not even as tall as a five-year-old. He hasn't grown a bit since he was left under your care, and you're telling me Rachael took great care of him?!"

Belle huffed in anger while pointing at her son's face, chastising, "How did I give birth to a heartless being like you?! You refuse to even acknowledge your own mother after marrying your second wife. Thank the heavens for giving me two sons. Be it if you won't support me. I still have Aaron for that. I'll just pretend I never gave birth to you! It's my fault for not raising my son right, and I'm done arguing with you about that. However, you won't even do anything about your own child. A beast won't eat its cub no matter how vicious it gets, but look at you. You're even worse than a beast!"

Brian was stupefied as he froze on the spot, unable to register what was going on.

He had forgotten to close the door behind him, so those passing by would've heard Belle's roars, and some even stopped to see what was up. With that, Mack hurriedly closed the door before clearing his throat, planning to calm Belle down. "Mrs. Carter, why don't we all take a breather? The Brian I know isn't that kind of guy. I'm sure there must be some misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?" Belle was still trembling in anger. "Ask him if he has ever supported me financially or raised Alex properly!"

"I…" Brian tried to defend himself, but nothing else came out of his mouth.

He was normally swamped with work, so he had no time to think about it. However, after letting it sink in, he realized that he hadn't visited his mother for more than two years.

He hadn't gone to his mother's place or even visited her ever since bringing Alex here for school. Belongs to © n0velDrama.Org.

He swore he had a good reason for it, though!

Either Rachael or his two children would coincidentally fall sick every time he got a break. He had wanted to see his mother, but the plan would always be hindered by something like that.

A two-month long break might seem like a long time, but it would be gone in the blink of an eye when his head got stuck in the situation.

He always told himself he'd visit his mother during the next break, but another emergency would pop up when the time came, and the cycle repeated break after break. Just like that, two years passed before he knew it.

He never thought the issue was a big deal, for Belle never grumbled about it to him. Moreover, he always believed a mother would forgive her child for something like this. Surely, his mother would understand his difficulty when he was already worn out from juggling his time between his hectic work and his family of five. However, who'd have thought his mother, who never fussed about things like this, would suddenly cause a scene at his workplace?

Though only the director was present, he wouldn't be surprised if his colleagues heard his mother reprimanding him when she was roaring at the top of her lungs. Worse yet, if word got out, his reputation would be done for.

There were three deputy directors in this research institute, and all three of them were the next in line to become the subsequent director. In other words, one of them would become the next director.

He was the most likely to be selected. After all, he was the youngest deputy director as well as the most brilliant and talented candidate who made the biggest contribution to their research. If everything went well, he would surely be next in line.

However, that wasn't the case anymore. If he didn't settle this issue well, his reputation would drop, and he would undoubtedly have to say goodbye to his potential promotion. With that, his future would be doomed.

It hadn't been easy for him; he had spent far too much time and effort to get to where he was today. Never did he imagine something he had worked for arduously over the past few years could possibly end on this day because of his dear mother.

"Mom, what has gotten into you?!" He looked imploringly at his mother. "Please tell me what I have done wrong! I'll make sure it doesn't happen again, so please don't get upset. How am I supposed to tell Aaron if you become ill from anger?"