Chapter 268: I’m only stating the facts

Meanwhile, Clara and Zane returned to the Keningstone mansion. However, the moment they stepped into the living hall and spotted Maria sitting on the couch, both of them came to an abrupt halt.

It wasn’t unusual to find Maria at home, considering how busy she usually was with the company’s affairs. However, little did they know that her presence here today was no coincidence. She had deliberately made time to return home for a particular reason.

"Where have you been, Zane?"

Maria’s question immediately caught the boy off guard.

For a brief moment, a flicker of panic crossed his eyes. However, before he could come up with an excuse, Maria continued.

"Your teacher called me. Apparently, you’ve missed your last two classes. So, would you care to explain where you’ve been?"

This time, her voice was noticeably colder, leaving little room for him to escape her questioning.

Zane tightened his grip on his schoolbag. There was no way he could tell his mother the truth about what he had been up to. If she found out, she would undoubtedly tighten her watch over him, leaving him with even less freedom than he already had.

And that was the last thing he wanted.

Meanwhile, Clara glanced between mother and son, silently observing their interaction.

Maria’s decision to ignore her didn’t surprise her in the slightest. What concerned her, however, was the intensity of the older woman’s gaze as she stared at Zane.

Judging by the look on Maria’s face, the boy was in serious trouble.

Clara had foolishly assumed that being appointed as Zane’s personal nanny and tutor meant she was no longer responsible for keeping an eye on his every move. After all, surely Maria wouldn’t expect her to report every little thing the boy did?

Unfortunately, she had been terribly mistaken.

Maria had people keeping an eye on her son, and Clara was undoubtedly one of them.

A few seconds passed, but Zane remained stubbornly silent.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, and in the deafening silence, even the ticking of the wall clock seemed unusually loud.

Clara finally decided she couldn’t stand by and watch the boy dig himself into a deeper hole.

"Um, Miss Keningstone?" she interjected cautiously, drawing Maria’s attention. "I’m sorry to interrupt, but Zane hasn’t been feeling well. That’s why he missed his classes."

As she spoke, Clara subtly turned her head towards Zane, giving him a small look that clearly said, Just play along.

Zane blinked at her in surprise. For a moment, he genuinely wondered whether he had heard her correctly.

Was she actually helping him? But why? Wasn’t this the perfect opportunity for her to expose his lies and tell his mother about the bullies?

The boy stared at Clara, suspicion and confusion warring in his eyes.

Is she helping me? But why?

For the first time since they had returned home, Zane found himself completely at a loss for words.

And, ironically, it had nothing to do with Maria’s interrogation.

Maria’s expression changed instantly, her brows drawing together as she looked at her son.

"What happened to you?" she asked, concern creeping into her voice.

Before Zane could respond, Clara stepped closer and gently placed her hands on his shoulders, wearing an expression of exaggerated concern.

"He had a stomachache earlier, but don’t worry, Miss Keningstone. I’ve got everything under control." She reached into her bag and pulled out the medicine they’d purchased earlier, holding it up for Maria to see. "Look, we even got medicine for him!"

Clara smiled brightly, her eyes curving into little crescent moons as though she’d just accomplished something truly remarkable.

Beside her, Zane’s expression shifted from shock to utter disbelief.

What on earth is she doing?

He stared at Clara, struggling to understand why she was going to such lengths to cover for him. Wasn’t she supposed to be the responsible adult here? Why was she helping him lie to his own mother?

Before he could make sense of her actions, Maria’s next question pulled his attention back to her.

"Then why didn’t you tell your teacher you weren’t feeling well? Or at least call me?" she asked, though a hint of suspicion lingered in her voice.

Zane stared at her for a moment before taking a deep breath.

Here we go again.

"You never believe anything I tell you anyway," he replied bluntly. "So I thought Miss Clara might at least hear me out. Fortunately, she did, and I’m feeling much better now."

His words landed with unexpected force.

Clara’s smile stiffened.

Maria, meanwhile, fell silent, clearly taken aback by her son’s response.

For a moment, neither woman knew what to say.

Zane had never been particularly good at hiding his feelings, but he rarely confronted his mother so directly. Usually, he would lower his head, remain silent, and endure whatever lecture she had prepared for him.

Not today, though.

He was tired of pretending that everything was fine.

His mother had always been more concerned about preparing him to take over the family business than understanding what was happening in his life. Every conversation seemed to revolve around his responsibilities, his future, and the expectations he was supposed to meet.

But had she ever stopped to ask how he actually felt?

Had she ever wondered why he found it so difficult to talk to her?

Apparently, those questions had never crossed her mind.

Maria stared at her son, surprise flickering across her face as she tried to process his words.

And for once, Zane didn’t look away.

If his mother couldn’t understand how deeply she’d hurt him, perhaps it was time someone finally made her face the truth.

Silence descended upon the living hall as Zane and his mother continued to stare at each other, neither willing to back down.

Standing between them, Clara could practically feel the tension thickening in the air. The longer the two remained locked in their silent battle, the more uncomfortable she became.

Goodness, why did this feel like she had accidentally walked into a battlefield?

"Zane! Is this how you speak to your mother?" Maria finally snapped, rising from the couch to confront her son.

Instead of looking intimidated, Zane let out a sarcastic laugh.

"I’m only stating the facts, Mom. And now that you’ve got your answer, I’m going to my room. I have studying to do."

With that, he adjusted the strap of his schoolbag and turned away.

Deep down, Zane knew that if he stayed a moment longer, he might say something he would eventually regret. As much as he resented his mother’s constant interference, a small part of him still wished things could be different between them.

He didn’t want to widen the emotional distance that already existed between them. But neither did he know how to bridge it.

So, rather than prolonging the argument, he headed upstairs without another word, leaving Maria standing in the middle of the living hall.

Maria watched his retreating figure, her expression darkening. However, she soon turned her attention to Clara, who had been standing quietly nearby, desperately wishing she could disappear into thin air.

"Next time something happens to Zane, inform me immediately," Maria instructed firmly. "I don’t want to hear about it from someone else."

Her tone made it clear that she wasn’t asking for Clara’s opinion.

Clara quickly nodded. "Of course, Miss Keningstone."

Satisfied with the response, Maria picked up her handbag and headed towards the entrance. She didn’t spare another glance at the staircase before leaving the mansion.

The moment the door closed, Clara finally released the breath she’d been holding.

She stood motionless for a moment, her emotions tangled in a knot.

She had only wanted to help Zane avoid getting into trouble, yet somehow, she had ended up witnessing a painful confrontation between mother and son.

Clara glanced towards the staircase, wondering what was going through the boy’s mind.

That child... just how much has he been keeping to himself?

***

Clara didn’t rush upstairs to Zane’s room immediately. Instead, she decided to give the boy some time to himself. After all, considering what had just happened between him and his mother, she figured he could use a little space to sort out his thoughts.

However, when enough time had passed, she finally made her way upstairs.

She stopped outside his bedroom and knocked twice before pushing the door open.

"Zane, can I—"

"What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for you!"

Clara froze mid-sentence.

Her eyes widened as she stared at the boy sitting at his study table, looking at her as though she’d committed some unforgivable crime by keeping him waiting.

For a moment, she wondered if she’d entered the wrong room.

Hadn’t he been the one who had stormed upstairs earlier, making it abundantly clear that he wanted nothing to do with anyone?

And now he was waiting for her?

Clara blinked several times before finally finding her voice.

"You... were waiting for me?"

Zane frowned at her, as though she’d just asked the most ridiculous question in the world.

"Of course! Who else would I be waiting for?"

Clara stared at him, momentarily speechless.

Good heavens! This boy really knows how to keep people on their toes!

She had deliberately given him space, thinking he needed time to cool off. Who would have guessed that the little troublemaker would be sitting here, patiently waiting for her instead?

Trying to hide her surprise, Clara stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

"Alright, Your Highness. I’m here now. So shall we study"