The remnants of their shared dinner sat on the table.

Gloria’s fingers brushed absentmindedly against the surface of her light brain, which contained the stolen photo, smiling slyly like a seasoned thief.

These photos were worth more than every designer piece she had purchased today. Worth more than the entire shopping center, quite frankly.

Gloria glanced at Neville, who now sat cross-legged on the opposite end of the sofa, his hazel-brown hair slightly mussed from a long day of being dragged from store to store.

Those ocean-blue eyes, hidden behind those ridiculous nerd glasses, sparkled with the easy warmth of someone who had no idea what kind of scheming was happening right under his nose.

Poor dear, she thought with genuine affection. Completely oblivious.

"—and that’s when Director Lu’s face turned into this deep shade of purple I didn’t even know was even possible," Neville said, his hands gesturing animatedly as he recounted some workplace incident. "I thought he might actually combust on the spot. Grayson—I mean, Mr. Maxwell—didn’t even blink. Just continued reading his report like nothing was happening."

Gloria chuckled, acting like she didn’t notice the slip of tongue. "Eason just ignores everything that’s not worth his time."

"That’s... one way to put it." Neville’s lips quirked into a small smile. "Though I have to say, working under him has been... educational."

"Educational?" Gloria raised an elegant eyebrow. "Is that what the young people are calling it these days?"

A faint flush crept up Neville’s neck. "Mrs.—"

"Auntie, dear. We’ve been over this."

"Auntie," he corrected himself, still looking faintly embarrassed. "I mean, I’ve learned a lot from here, really. About business. That sort of thing."

"Mm-hmm." Gloria maintained her harmless smile while internally having fun watching every micro-expression that crossed Neville’s face.

The way his fingers fidgeted with the hem of his sleeve. The unconscious softening around his eyes whenever he talked about Grayson.

Oh, this boy had it bad.

The question was: did her idiot son realize it yet?

Looking at Neville’s obviously poor acting, Gloria thought: He should’ve, right?

"Speaking of," Gloria said casually, swirling the remaining tea in her cup, "you must have explored quite a bit of Xylos by now. Especially since you’re working, you should’ve had plenty of time to see the sights and spend a little."

Neville’s expression brightened, recalling a thing from before.

"Oh, yes! In the other entrance than where we came in earlier, there’s a food court that offers baragara. I found it when Liam took me out one time. And the riverside viewing platform is really beautiful at night, you should see it sometime."

Gloria’s smile stilled as internal alarm bells began clanging in her head.

Liam?

"And there’s this incredible restaurant that invented baragara—Interstellaire Garden, was it? CEO Hewitt recommended that when we ran into each other, but I declined since I was swamped with work."

That brat, Keaton?!

"Oh, and I went to Xing Heritage Facility too! Liam took me there, actually. He’s surprisingly knowledgeable about starship history for an HR supervisor."

Gloria felt her eye threatening to twitch hard.

What about her son? Her brilliantly stupid son of a gun CEO, Grayson?

"And has Grayson—" Gloria kept her voice light, oh so light, to prevent her real feelings from slipping out. "—ever taken you anywhere? Outside of work, I mean."

Neville blinked, seemingly confused by the question, and thought about it. "We went to Medea’s Garden once, for ingredient acquisition. Oh, at Staredison Gwesty and that one business trip to Planet Monus. Although that was more of a work event than a going out since Bryan was also there."

Gloria had the urge to throw something, preferably at her son’s thick skull.

"How about... dinners? Outings? Just the two of you, enjoying each other’s company?"

"Well, we eat together at the office most of the time since we both don’t like much of the food outside." Neville tilted his head thoughtfully. "I cooked for him at my home sometimes. Does that count?"

Does that count? Gloria felt a headache forming behind her temples. Does spending time in your own house count as a date?

No. No, it absolutely did not. Not on my standards!

"That’s... good," she managed to say through gritted teeth disguised as a warm smile.

Meanwhile, Neville—blissfully unaware of the maternal crisis unfolding before him—continued chattering about the various locations he had visited alone. Each one was like a knife twisting in Gloria’s heart as she realized just how thoroughly her son had failed in the romance department.

This ’Liam’ took Neville to the shopping center and a museum.

Sarah Gringer and Iris Ackley (she’s not included since she was already taken). Would list him places he could visit alone incognito whenever Neville had free time.

Keaton Hewitt. A damn Hewitt of all people, that young silver-tongued shark from another corporation had consistently invited Neville out, and when he refused, tried to earn plus points with recommendations.

And Grayson?

Grayson had taken him to sort and buy ingredients.

Does that sound right?!

Gloria’s internal screaming could have shattered glass. But then, she glanced at her light brain, noting the hour with a mixture of genuine regret and urgent purpose.

She needed to leave. Right now. Before she had a mental breakdown, mulling over why her son was a complete imbecile.

"Oh my," she said, feigning surprise as she stood up. "Look at the time. I really should get going. I have somewhere to be tomorrow, and I’m not as young as I used to be."

Neville stood up immediately, like a proper host, and asked, "Are you sure? It’s quite late. You’re welcome to stay the night if you’d like. There’s a guest room here."

Gloria thought fondly. This boy was too considerate for his own good. Her son didn’t really deserve him.

Actually, scratch that—her son should learn to deserve him, or she, Gloria Erskine Maxwell, would make his life a living nightmare.

"That’s very kind of you, dear, but I really must go." She reached out and patted his cheek gently.

Neville smiled sincerely, completely missing the ominous undertone in her words. "Okay, and thank you for all the gifts."

"If you feel burdened by how much it was when it came tomorrow, just consider it a bonus for putting up with Eason." Gloria winked.

Neville just laughed out loud, thinking that Gloria was just jesting, "I’ll be sure to list it in the benefits section of the company handbook."

Gloria chuckled despite her inner turmoil, gathering her things, mentally composing the lecture she was about to deliver to her disappointing offspring.

Neville insisted on escorting her down to the parking level.

"Please travel safely."

"See ya~."

Gloria settled into the hover car’s plush interior, watching through the window as Neville’s figure grew smaller and eventually disappeared back into the building.

"Draco," she called to her AI companion—a small chibi AI robot dragon that uncurled from its resting position on the dashboard. "Change of plans. We’re going to Grayson’s penthouse."

Draco’s eyes flickered with mechanical curiosity. "Shall I inform the Young Master of your arrival, Madam?"

"Absolutely not."

"Is everything alright? It’s quite late for an unscheduled visit."

Gloria flashed an ominous smile. "Everything’s fine."

Draco’s tiny head tilted, processing this information. "...I see. Navigation adjusted. Estimated arrival: fifteen minutes."

"Make it ten."

"As you wish, Madam."

The hover car shot forward through the Xylos night, carrying one very determined mother toward one very unsuspecting son.