Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?



"No need for now."

Gilbert shook his head, "I can handle it for the time being... I'll reach out when I need help."

"Alright."

Francis nodded, "As long as you're on top of things..."

His thoughts drifted to Jenna, and he shifted the conversation, "So, there's really no chance left between you and Sherilyn?"

Hearing this, Gilbert's smile faded, and he shook his head gently, "This is what Sherilyn wanted, and I can't force her." "True..."

Francis couldn't help but think of Rebecca White, nodding in agreement, "These matters can't be forced. Let her make her own choices."

Then he added a piece of advice.

"Don't neglect her and her daughter."

"I know."

As they left the Crimson Table, the brothers went their separate ways, each diving into their own busy lives.

Francis had just settled into his car when his phone rang.

It was Sylvia.noveldrama

"Grandma..."

"Francis! It's terrible! James is missing!"

"How did that happen?" Francis tensed up, a frown quickly forming, "Wasn't he at school? What did the teachers say?"

"It was after the afternoon activities; the teacher was taking attendance and realized James was missing!"

Sylvia's voice trembled with panic.

"What are we going to do? James is so young, and kidnappers target little kids..."

"Don't panic, I'm heading to the school now!"

"Hurry, please!"

---

At the supermarket.

Rebecca White was stocking shelves while calling Sherilyn.

"Could you apologize to Mr. Martin for me? I feel bad about this."

Mr. Martin, of course, was Galen.

"It's no big deal."

Sherilyn laughed, "You were only a temp and gave plenty of notice. No worries."

Then she congratulated her, "You found a new job already, that's fantastic!" "Hehe."

Rebecca White couldn't hide her joy, "Just a bit of luck, really."

Delivery guys came in through the door.

"I've got to go, busy here."

"Okay."

After hanging up, Rebecca White went to receive the delivery, sweating from the effort as she organized everything. *Click*.

A faint noise.

"??" Rebecca White paused, what was that sound?

She listened intently but heard nothing more.

A mistake?

Shaking her head, she went back to stocking shelves.

*Click, click*...

No, she wasn't mistaken!

Rebecca White held her breath, slowing her steps, the clicking sounds growing clearer.

Sounded like a mouse? No way, were there mice in the storeroom?

She crept towards the source of the noise.

Grabbing a stainless steel bowl from a shelf, she raised her arm, ready to strike...

And then froze.

Blinking in surprise...

Where was the mouse? Sitting atop a box in front of her was a chubby little boy, clutching a bag of chips bigger than his face in his lap

UMS

The boy was munching away, *crunch, crunch*...

Seeing Rebecca White approach, he didn't stop but looked up with a woeful expression.

His eyes, red and watery, seemed to plead with her.

"You..."

"Hungry."

Before Rebecca White could speak, the boy confessed in a pitiful, whiny voice, "Miss, I'm hungry..."

As he spoke, tears rolled down his cheeks like pearls, making Rebecca White's heart melt instantly. She

hurriedly set the bowl aside, flustered and unsure what todo.

"Don't cry, please!"

UMS

Rebecca White was desperate, unsure how to comfort a child. Though she had been married for five years, she had never cared for a child!

Suddenly, pointing at the chip bag in his hands, she advised, "That won't fill you up, you know."

The boy stopped crying and looked at her seriously, "Then what should I eat?"

Rebecca White, caught off guard by

you

els

the innocence in his question, scrambled for an answer. "Well, need something more substantial How about we find you a nice sandwich or maybe even some mac and cheese? That'll fill you up for sure."