Victoria had deliberately summoned her son home, naturally with an agenda. "I thought you'd brush me off and come sneaking in at midnight again!"
Seeing that he had indeed returned early, a smile lit up her face. Hearing the car, she even went to the door to greet him.
"I promised I'd come home early, so I won't lie to you," Ned said as he walked with her into the living room.
"There's always a reason when Mom asks you to come back early. Don't think I'm nagging or meddling too much!" Victoria giggled, taking his briefcase.
Unbuttoning his suit jacket, Ned replied, "How could I?" He smiled at his mother.
Those words made Victoria beam even wider. "Quick, come with me." She grabbed his hand and led him toward the dining room. "You haven't eaten dinner yet, right? I specially told Angela to prepare your favorites—"
"Ned, you're back!" Lara called out with a sweet smile. She had already been waiting in the dining room.
