Chapter 996

James placed a hand on Erin's shoulder to direct her to his room, and she nodded.

After she left, James turned toward Zachary. "Sit."

"What is it?" Zachary asked, eying him skeptically.

"I can tell you're in a bad mood. Anything you want to say to me?"

Zachary smiled but said nothing despite taking his seat. "Come on. Don't jinx me like that."

James did not press him, probably sensing that Zachary had trouble talking about it.

Zachary then added, "Let's go get a drink when you're feeling better."

James nodded.

-

In his room, Tommy was writing his own name on a notebook.

Irene told him to learn it by the day and to make it look nice.

While he did, she stood by the bed to call Stan, but no one answered.

She put down the phone and returned to the table to check on Tommy's handwriting.

Around an hour later, her phone started ringing.

It was a return call from Stan, and when she picked it up, she asked, "Why weren't you answering?"

On the other end, Stan shot a look at Isa