Chapter 401 Mommy Must Have Met Daddy
"So, you know what went down at the Virus Research Institute, right? Mr. Benedict must've filled you in, and you probably know who's behind it," Riley said straight up.
"Even though I've been avoiding you, it has already caused Mrs. Wilder to misunderstand. You saw it yourself—just a few words from her and the whole institute's in chaos, can't even hold its ground in H City. The reason I came back this time is for the institute. I don't want to get tangled up in other messy stuff, and honestly, I can't handle it. Please, Mr. Wilder, get where I'm coming from."
Donovan felt a pang in his chest. He'd let Riley avoid him for this exact reason—he didn't want her to get caught up in unnecessary drama because of him. But hearing her lay it all out like that, it hurt. He regretted not standing up to Catherine more and not protecting Riley like he should have.
Riley didn't want to drag the conversation out and was too drained to say more. She just said, "Please, Mr. Wilder, ask your driver to stop the car. I'm close to home, I can grab a cab."
Donovan was quiet for a bit, then he raised the partition and told Paxton to stop the car.
Paxton thought it was odd but figured there'd been another spat between Donovan and Riley, and once again, Donovan had given in.
Following Donovan's orders, Paxton pulled over at the nearest intersection.
Riley gave Donovan a distant thank you and got out of the car.
Watching her walk away, Paxton asked carefully, "Mr. Wilder, should we go?"
Donovan stayed silent, just watching Riley from a distance.
Paxton, not getting a response from Donovan for a bit, knew what he was waiting for.
It was tough to get a cab at that hour. Riley waited by the roadside for a while before finally catching an empty one.
Seeing Riley get into the cab, Paxton asked again, "Mr. Wilder, where to?"
Donovan said in a low voice, "Follow her."
Even though Riley's words stung, Donovan couldn't help but worry.
Paxton nodded, started the car, and followed the cab at a distance.
They trailed her all the way to her villa. After seeing Riley get out of the cab and go inside, Paxton turned around and merged back into traffic, heading toward the Wilder Estate.
When Riley got home, it was almost ten. The earlier clash with Donovan had left her looking exhausted.
Landon and Winston were waiting for her downstairs. Seeing her come in, they rushed over, concerned. "Mommy! You look so tired! Is the research institute's stuff really that bad?"
Riley forced a smile, patting their heads gently. "It's nothing, just a bit sleepy."
Winston took her coat and was hanging it up when he noticed a familiar scent—it smelled like Donovan. He glanced quickly at Riley, but she was too worn out to notice.
"Sorry, I'm back so late. It's getting late; let me take you upstairs to rest, my good boys," she said softly.
Winston didn't see anything unusual from her and frowned, puzzled. He thought, 'This smell... Mommy must've seen Daddy.'
Looking at Riley's tired face, Winston didn't ask. Her weary expression said it all—whatever had happened hadn't been good. Asking would only make her feel worse.
Winston hung up the coat and obediently followed Riley upstairs to rest with Landon.
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