Chapter 4 Tell the Dog to Open the Door

Asher stared at the picture on his screen, then at Mason's face.

"We do look alike," he muttered. "But too bad my dad is a bald old man over sixty. He's nothing like this rich and handsome guy. If I had a dad like Mr. Murphy, I'd be grinning in my sleep."

Creak. The door opened, and Nora walked in with a plate of fruits.

Asher quickly shut his laptop. I still have a lot to do. She can't find out.

"Ha! I know exactly what you're up to," Nora teased. "Bet you're looking at girls again. You're such a little perv for your age!"

"Why would I do that? I have a cute sister," he shot back, rolling his eyes.

Nora placed the plate on the table. "Speaking of which, where is she? Still on her medical tour? When's she coming back?"

"Why would she?" Asher asked, eyeing his mom.

"Your grandma's death anniversary is in two weeks. I haven't taken you guys to visit her before, and since we're back, I thought it'd be good to go."

"Got it. I'll text her tomorrow. But, Mom, aren't we going to the Larson family? I mean, I know having a sixty-year-old dad is weird, but at least I could get some cash out of him for abandoning us."

"He's not your father," Nora said. "I hacked the blood bank's system three years ago and compared your DNA. You're not related. So forget about scamming him."

Asher pouted. "Well, my real dad is somewhere out there. I have to have one. I'll find him-right after I take care of that Murphy scumbag. With my brains, it'll be easy."

-

Two days later, Mason strode into Abner's room, his face grim.

He smirked when he saw the frail boy lying weakly on the bed. "Still alive? Good. I'll take you to that woman, then."

Mason had already done a background check on Nora-just as expected, she was the eldest daughter of the Jefferson family, Amanda's half-sister from another mother.

Eight years ago, she sold herself to a man in his fifties for five million dollars. Then, news spread that she had a stillbirth, and she left town, unable to stay in Harrington any longer.

For two days, Mason ignored Abner, hoping he'd drop this nonsense, but the kid was more stubborn than expected.

If Mason left him alone, Abner would literally starve himself to death.

And since the Murphy family still needed an heir-and Mason had no interest in women-he figured he might as well let the kid have his way.

Hearing that Mason had relented, Abner weakly pushed himself up despite his dizziness. "Let's go," he whispered.

Mason stepped forward and held the frail boy. "I can't believe you're ignoring your mother and running to your aunt instead. You really are an idiot."

-

Downstairs, Amanda's eyes widened in alarm when she saw Mason carrying Abner toward the door. She rushed over and blocked their way.

"Where are you taking Abner, Mason?" she demanded.

"To Nora," Mason replied coldly without looking at her.

Amanda's heart nearly stopped. Did he just say he's taking Abner to Nora? His own sister-in-law?!

"No!" She reached out, trying to snatch the boy away.

"Move," Mason said flatly.

Amanda clenched her teeth and forced her voice to tremble. "I'm Abner's mother! How can you take him to another woman? Do you want him to call her 'Mom' instead?"

Mason's sharp gaze locked onto her. "Do you not see how weak he is? No real mother would let her child suffer like this. You've done nothing for him the past two days. Honestly, I bet you were hoping he'd starve to death."

Amanda took a shaky step back. He was right. She had been waiting for Abner to die, but somehow, the brat survived and got exactly what he wanted.

Damn it! Why won't this pest just disappear?

"No, that's not what I meant!" she protested. "I was making his oatmeal in the kitchen just now. Just give me half a day! I'll make sure he eats something!"

Mason didn't respond. He just stared at her blankly.

Amanda thought he was considering her words, so she pressed on. "My sister sold herself to an old man for money and got pregnant. Her reputation is trash! I don't want Max near her!"

Disgust flickered in Mason's eyes.

Sure, he didn't approve of Nora's past, but Amanda's willingness to throw her own sister under the bus was even more repulsive.

Maybe it's time to find someone else to raise Abner. I don't want my son to grow up under her influence.

"Daddy, if you leave me with her, you'll never see me again. She wants me dead," Abner said.

"Get lost," Mason told Amanda.

She hesitated, but she didn't dare defy him. She had no choice but to step aside, watching helplessly as they left.

Her hands curled into tight fists.

Nora Tylor ... this isn't over. I swear, I'll destroy you.

-

Meanwhile, in Nora's kitchen, the doorbell rang.

"Go get the door, Asher!"

"Go get the door, Polly!" Asher shouted back from the study.

The dog huffed, rubbed its nose, and begrudgingly trotted to the door.

A second later, the door swung open.

Mason blinked in shock as he found himself face-to-face with a dog hanging from the handle, panting.

His face darkened instantly.

Did this woman seriously just tell a dog to open the damn door?!

Before he could even react, he turned on his heels, ready to leave. But then, the small voice behind him spoke up.

"I swear I won't eat a thing if you take me back now," Abner threatened.

Mason's forehead throbbed in irritation, but in the end, he sighed and turned back. He strode inside and threw the kid onto the couch.

"You better be happy here!" he snapped. "Stay in this tiny place for the rest of your life! Don't ever come back to the Murphy family!"

He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Abner didn't even flinch. He just sat up and turned toward the kitchen with anticipation.

Nora jumped when she saw a small boy suddenly sitting in her living room.

"What the hell?!" she yelped, holding a plate of dishes. "Where did you come from?!"