“What’s going on here?” A sharp voice cut through their moment.

Colleen and Brady froze, looking up to see Cade and Noreen standing before them. Noreen’s voice had pierced the air.

Cade’s face showed surprise and confusion, while Noreen’s expression was one of shock and pure rage, her eyes flickering between them.

“Dad, Mom,” Brady said quickly as he stood.

Colleen rose too, nodding politely. “Mr. Jenkins, Mrs. Jenkins.”

She had heard plenty about them from Hadley and felt a flutter of nerves meeting them for the first time.

“Don’t be afraid.” Brady whispered, stepping protectively in front of her.

“Humph!” Noreen’s eyes narrowed at his gesture.

Raising her voice, she demanded, “Brady, what’s this about?”

Pointing at Colleen, she added, “And what’s your relationship with her?”

“Mom,” Brady said, his tone firm but low. “Why are you yelling? And what’s with your tone? I’m not doing anything wrong.”

He glanced back at Colleen, then stated clearly, “I like Colleen, and I’m currently pursuing her.”

“Pursuing her?” Noreen’s face drained of color, her eyes locking onto Colleen in disbelief. “Isn’t she here with Hadley?”

“Yeah,” Brady confirmed. “Colleen’s a friend of Hadley’s.”

“Friend?” Noreen froze as if she had pieced together a grand conspiracy. “Oh, I get it now!”

“What are you talking about, Mom? What do you get?” Brady asked, frowning in confusion.

“It’s a honey trap!” Noreen clutched her chest, her voice rising. “I knew it! Why else would my son turn against his own family?”

Lɑtτ cнαρτ?rs ιn glov?ls.

She pointed at Colleen. “Hadley put her up to this to lure you in! She’s got you under her spell, making you forget your own family!”

Brady’s expression darkened, stunned by his mother’s words.

He glanced at Colleen, realizing his mother’s outburst was revealing her suspicions right in front of her. Updates are released by FιndNovel.net

“Mom!” Brady stepped forward, grasping Noreen’s arm. “Stop talking nonsense! I like Colleen because I choose to. This has nothing to do with Hadley!”

He tugged Noreen toward the exit, casting a desperate glance at Cade. “Dad, please take her outside.”

“Uh…” Cade hesitated.

“Where to? I’m not leaving!” Noreen protested, growing more agitated. “Brady, she has clouded your judgment! Now that I’ve seen through this, we’re settling it today!”

She turned to Colleen, shouting, “Hey, you—Colleen, Coral, or whatever your name is! Speak up! Why aren’t you saying anything? What did Hadley promise you to ruin my son?”

Colleen stood frozen, speechless. Raised in a loving home, she had never faced such accusations or hostility.

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