Chapter 414: No Matter How Fiercely Walter Brooks and His Wife Argued

No matter how fiercely Walter Brooks and his wife argued, it was useless. At the crack of dawn, Eleanor Brooks ordered her second and third sons to pack their bags—she was determined to go to the city to find her eldest son.

"Mother, you've never even left the county at your age..." Walter Jr. wrung his hands anxiously.

"Enough!" Eleanor thumped her cane on the ground. "If you won't take me, I'll crawl there myself!"

With no choice, Walter Jr. rushed to the mayor's house that night for the address. The mayor puffed on his pipe and sighed. "Nolan Brooks has done well for himself—opened three hotpot restaurants in the provincial capital..."

The train clattered for over ten hours. Eleanor clutched her bundle tightly, her eyes fixed on the blurring landscape outside the window.

"Mother, we're here." Walter Jr. helped her off the train. They stood frozen in the bustling station square, overwhelmed by the endless stream of people.

Following the address through winding streets, they finally spotted the gilded sign of "Old Brooks Spiced Stew." The three-story building blazed with lights, a long queue snaking out the door, the rich aroma wafting far and wide.

"This... this is Nolan's place?" Walter Jr. stammered.

Inside, the restaurant buzzed with noise. Rose Jackson leaned against the counter, pale and nauseous from her two-month pregnancy. Nolan juggled customers while handing his wife a glass of water, his expression tender.

"Welcome!" A server's cheerful voice suddenly pitched higher. "Boss! Your mother's here!"

Nolan's tray clattered to the floor. He turned and saw his travel-worn mother and brother at the entrance. His eyes reddened instantly.

"Mom!" He rushed over in three strides, taking the bundle from her hands. "How did you—"

Eleanor seized her son's arm, scrutinizing him. "You've lost weight." Then she spotted Elena's rounded belly and brightened.

Elena forced down another wave of nausea and stepped forward. "Mother, please sit—" She barely finished before covering her mouth and darting toward the back.

Nolan hurried after her as Eleanor called out, "Careful! My grandson comes first!"

The matriarch squinted at the impressive establishment, then suddenly slapped her knee and laughed. "Wonderful! My boy's really made it!" Her booming voice briefly silenced the entire dining area.

Then the phone at the counter rang. The third son's wails came through the line. "Mom! Dad broke his leg! You need to come back now!"