?Chapter 947:


    Leif winced at the noise and bent down to retrieve his phone. Before he could say anything, Norton grabbed the wine bottle and started pouring another ss.


    “Please stop it. You’ve had enough. Let me get you home,” Leif urged gently. “Your wife is waiting for you.”


    “Don’t bring her up,” Norton snapped, knocking back the drink in one rough swallow.


    Leif mped his mouth shut, not daring to push any further.


    Norton polished off an entire bottle of wine before he spoke again, his voice dropping to a low, hollow murmur. “Has Yvonne messaged you?”


    Leif hurried to check the screen, wiping his sweaty palms against his pants. “No, sir. Nothing yet.”


    Norton bowed his head slightly, the dim lighting carving his sharp features into something even more striking. But behind the brooding shadow, there was a taint, bitter loneliness.


    He clenched the wine ss so hard that it shattered between his fingers. Splinters of ss sliced into his palm, and blood dripped steadily onto the white tablecloth.


    “Oh gosh!” Leif gasped, panic shooting through his voice. “Let me take you to the hospital!”


    He reached out to help, but Norton lifted his bleeding hand and stopped him with a single look. “No. Just take me home.”


    Leif swallowed hard and obeyed, knowing he had no other choice.


    On the way home, Norton sat rigidly in his seat, fists clenching so tightly that his knuckles turned white.


    Leif stayed quiet, gripping the wheel and pressing harder on the gas.


    The second they parked in the driveway, Norton yanked the door open and stumbled out into the dim light.


    Leif jumped out too, fumbling with the keys as he locked the car and rushed to steady him.


    Norton threw him a hard, heavy re that made Leif’s heart pound ufortably.


    They made their way to the front door in tense silence. Leif reached out to ring the bell.


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    Norton shoved his hand aside. “Move. I’ll punch in the code myself.”


    Inside, Yvonne heard the doorbell echo through the house. She bolted from the couch, rushed to her room upstairs, and dove under the covers, squeezing her eyes shut to fake sleep.


    Norton punched in the code and pushed the door open. The house greeted him with nothing but darkness. He flicked the lights on, and the first thing he noticed was a half-eaten te of fruit sitting on the sofa.


    He let out a bitter snort. “You can go. Ask any household staff to drag Yvonne down here,” he said coldly.


    “But your hand…” Leif started, concern in his voice.


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