Chapter 62
Sylvia needed a location for her film now that she’d decided to shoot locally. Scouting existing studios in Silverton proved disappointing–they were too
basic.
That evening, her assistant, Jolie, called, sounding excited. “Ms. Sullivan, I found the perfect place! It’s called Century Town, just outside Silverton. It was built as a tourist spot but got abandoned because it’s pretty remote.”
Sylvia immediately looked it up online. The pictures showed a scenic town with architecture that fit a modern setting. Just like Jolie said, it looked ideal.
“Get in touch with whoever’s in charge of Century Town,” Sylvia told Jolie. “I want to meet them tomorrow.”
After the call, Sylvia drove to Francisco Memorial School to pick up Ruby. As soon as they got home, Ruby dashed into her bedroom to video chat with Zack.
Zack sat properly at his little desk, a smile spreading across his face as he watched Ruby animatedly describe her day at kindergarten on the screen.
“Your turn, Zack!” Ruby finished, resting her chin on her hands as she lay on her bed. “Tell me about your day!” Friends had to share, after all.
Just as Zack was about to answer, he heard his bedroom door click open behind him. He quickly put a finger to his lips for the camera and ended the call.
A second later, Byron pushed the door open.
Zack hastily set his phone aside and pretended to be absorbed in his homework.
Byron’s eyes narrowed, a frown forming. “Zack,” he asked, his voice tight with displeasure, “were you just talking to Ruby?”
“No, Dad,” Zack replied, trying to sound convincing, but the flicker of panic in his eyes gave him away. Byron saw it immediately.
“Were you, or weren’t you?” he pressed, his expression turning grim.
Zack stood up, looking down hesitantly. “Okay, Dad, I was talking to her, just for a minute. I promised her I would. I’ll get right back to my homework now.”
A prickle of unease went through Byron. Zack had always been a quiet, solitary child, yet he seemed unusually attached to Sylvia’s daughter.
After a pause, Byron asked, “Do you want to go over to her place and play with Ruby?”
Zack immediately shook his head. “No way, Dad. I want to stay here with you.”
Though slightly gratified, Byron could tell Zack wasn’t being entirely truthful. He frowned. “If you want to go, I can have the driver take you right now.”
Zack’s eyes widened for a second before he quickly shook his head again. ‘Dad wouldn’t just let me go like that,‘ Zack thought warily. “This feels like a
trap!
“Are you sure you don’t want to go?” Byron asked coolly. “I’m only offering once.”
Zack hesitated, then cautiously ventured, “So… Dad, should I go?”
“I’ll have the driver take you,” Byron confirmed. As Zack excitedly grabbed his backpack and bolted for the door, Byron’s expression abruptly hardened. He reached out and snagged Zack’s arm.
Zack’s stomach dropped. ‘Figures,’ he thought glumly. ‘Too good to be true. It was a trap.‘
“I wasn’t finished,” Byron said, his lips thinning in annoyance. “Where’s the fire? When you get to your mother’s place, don’t just play. I want you to pay attention. Find out what she’s planning, who she’s talking to on the phone.”
Zack blinked, looking puzzled. “Dad… are you worried about Mom?”
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Chapter 62
Byron’s expression turned even darker. “Why would I care about her?” he snapped.
But after saying that, he fell silent.
Byron’s expression soured instantly. “Worried about her? Don’t be ridiculous!” He snapped, but then fell silent, a conflicted look crossing his face.
‘If I’m not worried, then what is this?‘ he thought, annoyed. ‘Am I… jealous? Of her and Zander Gage?‘
He gave a short, harsh mental laugh. ‘Of course not.‘ It was f
to shut that down. That was all.
s just… Sylvia was unpredictable, always pushing for full custody of Zack. He needed leverage
He tugged irritably at his collar. “You don’t need to understand,” he told Zack brusquely. “Just do what I said.”
“Okay, Dad.” Zack agreed readily, his earlier enthusiasm returning
Sylvia was surprised to see Zack at her door that evening. “Zack
Byron.
“Nope! Dad said I could come,” Zack announced cheerfully.
.He hurried downstairs, eager for the driver to take him to Sylvia’s house.
Did you sneak out?” she asked, ushering him inside, concerned he’d get in trouble with
Sylvia raised an eyebrow. Byron suddenly changing his tune like this was odd, almost suspicious. He’d always been so against Zack spending time with
her.
‘Well, no point trying to figure Byron out,’ she decided. ‘He’s always been impossible to predict.‘
“Dinner’s almost ready,” she said warmly. “Go wash up, then you and Ruby can eat and do your homework together later.”
Having already forgiven her son’s past coldness, Sylvia was glad to see Zack seemed completely at ease, no longer reserved like before. He treated her place like a second home now.
“Okay, Mom!” Zack dropped his backpack on the couch and yelled towards the dining room, “Ruby, I’m here!”
Ruby came running out, squealing with delight, and threw her arms around Zack in a wobbly hug. “Zack! Come have cinnamon rolls with me!”
“Yeah!” The two children immediately started chattering, filling the house with happy noise.
Sylvia’s mood lifted considerably. She wished Zack could stay the night, but promptly at knocked on the door.
ine
o’clock, the driver who had dropped him off earlier
It was time for Zack to leave. Sylvia helped him into his jacket and walked him out to the car, waving until it drove away.
She had no idea that Zack, acting as his father’s unwilling informant, would report everything he’d overheard back home.
After listening to Zack’s report, Byron retreated to his study and picked up the phone. “Get me everything you can on a place called Century Town,” he instructed his contact. “And find out who’s really behind it.”
He now knew Sylvia was planning to visit the site tomorrow to discuss filming.
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