Chapter 5 Five Hot Topics on Social Media

Abner's eyes sparkled as he stared at the steaming plate of spicy meat Nora had just cooked. His stomach growled loudly.

"That looks so good... I'm starving," he muttered, practically drooling. Then, with a pitiful look, he added, "Dad hasn't fed me for two whole days."

Nora blinked, confused.

Wait a minute. Isn't he from the Murphy family? There's no way Mason would let his son go hungry. Don't tell me they're broke now?

"Mom, I'm so hungry," Abner whined again.

Nora rolled her eyes.

Why does this little guy keep calling me 'Mom'? Is he planning to move in and make me his new mother? Oh no, please don't do this to me, kid. I already have two little troublemakers at home who drive me insane. I can't handle another spoiled rich kid!

Just then, Asher smirked and chimed in. "Whoa, Mom! Since when did you get yourself another son my age? And here I thought you didn't like older men, that my father is just a mistake, as you said."

Without hesitation, Nora grabbed her slipper and hurled it at him.

"Get lost!"

Asher dodged, grinning, and walked over to Abner, eyeing him from head to toe. "Hold on... aren't you Abner Murphy? You're worth, like, a hundred billion. What are you doing in this tiny house? Did you lose your way?"

"Enough, Asher Tylor!" Nora snapped. "Can't you see he's about to faint from hunger? Go get him some water before people start saying I starved a Murphy heir to death."

Asher wanted to argue, but then an idea popped into his head. He grinned mischievously. "Perfect timing. I need your help with something."

While Asher ran off, Nora brought a bowl of soup and sat beside Abner. She studied his little face.

Hmm... He really does look like Mason. Not even a hint of Amanda's features. Weird. Actually... I feel like I've seen this face before.

"Here, drink this," she said, handing him the spoon.

Abner, however, pouted and shook his head. "I can't. I'm too weak. I haven't eaten in days... I can't even move."

Nora stared at him.

This kid is a master manipulator.

At first, she assumed the Murphy family had only left Abner with her temporarily. But two days passed, and no one came to pick him up. Now, she was getting suspicious.

Mason, do you really want me to raise your son like a commoner so he can experience a tough life before inheriting your fortune?

While Nora fretted over what to do, Asher and Abner seemed to be having the time of their lives. They bonded surprisingly well, though Asher saw Abner as an easy target and kept pushing him to hack into Mason's bank account for some spending money.

Of course, it was still too early to tell which of the two was actually the bigger troublemaker.

That night, Nora left the boys and the dog in the study flopped onto the couch and grabbed her phone to check Instagram.

Her eyes widened.