When fate plays its hand

“Mom!” Before Susan had even finished, Paul already knew what his mother was getting at. “I’ve already told you–I’m not interested in thinking about that right now.”

Susan held back for a moment, then asked bluntly, “Are you seeing someone?”

Paul froze for a moment as Miranda’s face flashed briefly in his mind. He eventually shook his head. “No.”

Susan didn’t buy it. “Then what’s with the suit? Did you pick it out alone?”

Paul glanced down at the bag in his hand and countered, “How did you know it’s a suit?”

Susan’s eyes flickered. “The logo on the bag is obvious enough. That brand only makes suits, so what else could it be? Now, are you going to answer my question?”

“It’s from a shopping trip with friends,” Paul replied coolly.

“Friends? Male or female? And what kind of friend?” Susan pressed on. NôvelDrama.Org © content.

“Mom, did you call me back here just to ask about this?” Paul frowned. “If there’s nothing else, I’d like to get back to the lab.”

Susan studied him for half a minute. Paul’s expression was as controlled as ever; he hadn’t let slip a single hint. Just as she was about to say something more, Felix set down his coffee cup with a firm sound.

“That’s enough. Our son came back just because you asked him to. He has work to do. What more do you.

want?”

Susan knew she couldn’t push him too hard. But still, she couldn’t just stand by and watch that flirt shamelessly try to string her son along. It was infuriating!

Meanwhile, back at the Cooper residence, Nelly had also called her son home. Even so, she was far less panicked than Susan. She skipped the subtlety and got right to the point.

“Have you changed your lady friend recently?”

She used “lady friend” with the mildest implication possible, as if to imply the status didn’t even reach the girlfriend level.

Sam raised an eyebrow. “What’s with the sudden interest in my love life?”

His surprise wasn’t misplaced. Most of Nelly’s focus was on her husband and social events, so this sudden concern over his dating life was completely out of character.

Nelly scoffed, feeling half–amused. “What, I’m not allowed to show interest in my y own son?”

“Of course.” Sam nodded. “Whatever makes you happy

“So, you really did switch lady friends?”

“It’s not a lady friend,” Sam clarified.

Nelly paused. “What do you mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.” Sam replied. “She’s not just someone I’m seeing casually. I’m genuinely pursuing her.”

“So, you’re not together yet?” she asked, looking surprised.

Sam shook his head. “Not yet.”

This truly took her aback. “Are you telling me there’s a woman my son can’t win over?”

“Correction–not ‘can’t win over,‘ just hasn’t been won over yet. That phrase ‘can’t win over‘ sounds like a

death sentence.”

Nelly’s heart sank, though she tried to keep her tone light. “Are you serious about this one?”

“I’m always serious, Mom,” Sam said with a smile.

But Nelly didn’t find it as amusing. Many of the wealthy heirs had turned out poorly, but her son was an exception. He had always been intelligent, independent, and adventurous.

He had ventured into investments, made a name for himself in finance, and even started his own investment firm. While he hadn’t exactly built it from the ground up, his success was undeniable.

Her only concern was his ever–changing line of girlfriends. He was nearly 30, and he still hadn’t settled down. But even that hadn’t affected his reputation as an accomplished businessman.

Nelly had never interfered with his relationships because she knew they were merely flings and posed no

real threat.