Nora couldn't wait anymore.
Perhaps it wasn't the V16 but clues to it in the safe deposit box, but there were only two months and twenty days left until Xander had to take the V16.
Every passing day was torture for her.
This was especially true when she saw the terrible atmosphere at home upon returning from California earlier in the afternoon. Cherry was not playing games, neither was Pete working on his Mathematical Olympiad. Instead, both of them were circling around Xander.
Cherry had taken out all her favorite Barbie dolls and princess dresses and wanted to give them to him.
Xander hadn't taken them.
As for Pete, he also hinted that he could give him all the Mathematical Olympiad worksheets he had bought.
Xander hadn't taken those either.
The little fellow slumped on the sofa and waved as he said, "I don't like your stuff! I only like animals!"