A few weeks later, Linda was about to leave the house. The living room, usually calm and quiet, now had an unexpected guest. Hailey sat on the edge of the couch, looking stiff and uneasy. Next to her, Viole stood with a worried expression, her eyes red and puffy as if she had been crying for a long time.
Linda's steps faltered at the sight. "Mrs. Wayne Senior?" she asked, her brow furrowing. It was unusual for Hailey to visit them, and Linda couldn't help but wonder what had prompted this sudden appearance.
Hailey's gaze was sharp and piercing. "I heard from Barlor that you've spent ten billion dollars on a piece of land. Is that true?" Her tone was direct, carrying an edge of incredulity.
Linda was taken aback. "Yes, that's correct. The land was purchased as part of a strategic investment."
Without missing a beat, Hailey's question turned to Barlor. "What are your plans for that piece of land?"
Barlor, who had been quietly observing from the doorway, met Linda's eyes through the rearview mirror. His voice was calm but firm. "Linda was the one who purchased it. It's her responsibility to handle it."
Hailey's eyes locked onto Linda. "Let Barlor handle the land instead. The most important thing for you now is to focus on being a good wife and mother."
Linda's expression hardened. "Mrs. Wayne Senior, while I understand your concern, matters regarding the Wayne family are indeed managed by Barlor. However, the land was bought on behalf of the Autumn family elders. If they decide to use it, they don't need to consult with me."
Hailey sighed, her face showing resignation. "Very well."
Barlor glanced at Linda, a look of resignation crossing his face. "I need to head out for a bit."
Linda's curiosity was piqued. "Is it related to Viole's condition?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
"Viole's ankle is still injured," Barlor explained. "I'm taking her to the hospital for a check-up."
Linda nodded, her expression softening. "You should take care of that. Go ahead."
Barlor's frown deepened as he studied Linda's reaction. He had expected her to show more interest or perhaps protest. Her casual dismissal was unexpected. He wondered if Linda truly was willing to let him go, or if she was merely hiding her feelings.
Viole shifted nervously, glancing between Barlor and Linda. "We should get going," she said softly, her voice tinged with anxiety.
Linda's impatience grew. "Aren't you supposed to leave now? The sooner you go, the sooner you can come back."
Barlor hesitated, then stepped towards the door, his gaze lingering on Linda. "I'll see you later."
Later that day, the hospital room was dimly lit by the early morning sun filtering through the blinds. Barlor had spent the night in an uncomfortable chair by Viole's bed, trying to catch a few moments of sleep in between the beeping of machines and the occasional nurse's visit. His eyes were heavy, but the news that awaited him promised to be far more alarming than his restless night.
The phone on the small table next to Viole's bed rang sharply, cutting through the quiet hum of the hospital. Barlor reached for it with a groggy hand, his fingers fumbling as he answered. He barely had time to fully wake up before he heard Larry's voice on the other end.
"What entrance exam?" Barlor asked, his brow furrowing in confusion as he tried to shake off the remnants of sleep.
"The school office just called," Larry explained, his tone carrying an edge of urgency. "They mentioned seeing Mrs. Wayne's name on the entrance exam list. They wanted to check if you were aware that she'd signed up."
Barlor's mind raced. Linda had been out shopping with Hailey the night before, completely out of reach. The thought that Linda had signed up for an entrance exam without any prior discussion left him perplexed. He hadn't seen any paperwork or heard any mention of it.
"Got it," Barlor said curtly before hanging up. He stared at the phone, his jaw tightening. Linda had a way of doing things on her own, often without a word. What was she up to this time?
The rustle of movement drew his attention back to Viole. She had stirred from her sleep, her eyes blinking open as she looked at him with a mix of concern and curiosity. "Mr. Wayne, was that a call from the school? Maybe I should go back to class now," she suggested weakly, trying to sit up.
Barlor shook his head, moving to her side. "I've already told Larry to update the school about the situation. You need to focus on getting better today. The call wasn't about you."
Viole's face scrunched in confusion. "Who was it about then?"
Barlor took a deep breath and rubbed his temples, feeling a dull throb beginning to form. "It's about Linda," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "I'll head back to take care of this while you stay here and rest."
Viole nodded, though her expression was still troubled. "Okay. I hope everything gets sorted out."
Barlor gave her a reassuring smile, though it was strained. As he left the hospital, he felt the weight of the day's complications pressing down on him. The hallways seemed longer and colder as he made his way to the parking lot. With each step, his mind whirred with questions and worries about Linda's sudden decision and what it might mean for their already complicated lives.
Driving back, he tried to piece together what he knew about Linda's intentions. Her independent streak had always been a source of both admiration and frustration for him. He hoped this was just another one of her impulsive decisions and not something more serious.
Arriving at the school, Barlor felt a sense of urgency. He navigated the empty corridors, heading straight for the administration office. The silence of the deserted hallways only heightened his anxiety. When he reached the office, the receptionist greeted him with a polite but tired smile.
"Mr. Wayne, good to see you," she said, her voice carrying a hint of the strain from a long day. "What can I do for you?"
"I need to discuss an issue regarding Linda Wayne," Barlor said, trying to keep his tone calm despite his mounting frustration. "I received a call this morning about an entrance exam she's apparently signed up for. I wasn't aware of any such plans."
The receptionist's expression shifted from polite curiosity to concern. "I'll check on that for you. Please have a seat."
Barlor sank into one of the chairs in the waiting area, his mind racing as he glanced around the office. The walls were adorned with various school achievements and notices, a stark contrast to his inner turmoil. He drummed his fingers on the armrest, each passing minute seeming to stretch longer than the last.
After what felt like an eternity, the receptionist returned with a folder in hand. "Mr. Wayne, it appears Mrs. Wayne's name was indeed on the list. She signed up for the entrance exam two days ago, but there's been no follow-up from her."
Barlor took the folder, flipping through the documents inside. His frustration turned to concern as he saw Linda's name clearly listed. The registration form was filled out, but there was no explanation for her sudden decision.
"This doesn't make sense," Barlor muttered, shaking his head. "I need to speak with Linda about this."
The receptionist nodded sympathetically. "If you need any more information, feel free to reach out. We'll try to get in touch with her if we can."