CHAPTER 39: The Flames of Cold War (pt 1)
2019, March 9th-18th
The Beaumont mansion had become something of a haunted house. After the press conference, CC and Bart were weathering the storm. Both of them were under house arrest, their every movement being watched, so phone calls from them were far and few in between. Natalie and Zoey's relationship was in need of great repair. In order to give Zoey some space, Cassandra and Natalie had decided that it was best, at least for the present, that Natalie stayed with Cassandra. While the mother and son were neighbors, it was still a good half hour drive to get from Cassandra's to the Beaumont mansion, effectively making them virtual strangers throughout the week.
With all her other connections for the moment severed, all Zoey for the present had was James. This fact made his persisting and intentional absence all the more noticeable.