Chris remained calm but with puppy-dog eyes full of sadness. "I'll support whoever Aurora chooses, as long as she's happy. But Mr. Jackson, your childhood friend just left your room - shouldn't you take some responsibility there?"

"Is it appropriate to claim Aurora as yours right now?"

Mason couldn't stand Chris's act of playing the sympathetic nice guy. He didn't need advice from some smooth-talking nobody.

Before Mason could respond, Chris added: "Well, with Mr. Jackson's ...