After the young woman left, Marcus received a voice message on WhatsApp.
“Man, that woman is stunning! She’s even more beautiful than the photos you showed me. You’re one lucky guy! Can you seal the deal with her tonight?”
Marcus sneered and picked up his phone to respond, “Don’t be ridiculous. I never fail. Tonight, I’ll send you a video to prove it.”
“Quit bragging. Would you dare to use your phone to record a video? If you’re really up for it, do it now. Put the phone under the table; I saw that she’s wearing a tight skirt!”
“Fine! I’ll send it to you now.”
Their conversation was in hushed tones, but Kayden heard every word clearly. His hearing was far superior to that of an ordinary person, a result of his years of Chi cultivation.
A practitioner of Chi could even recognize people and count their numbers with eyes closed, so naturally, his hearing was extraordinary.
Kayden glanced at Marcus, noting that he had already placed his phone by his feet. The man appeared well-mannered on the outside, but inside, he was a hypocrite.
Soon after, the young woman returned, and Kayden couldn’t help but take another look at her. She was indeed a beauty, with delicate features and a pair of glasses that gave her an icy elegance.
The young woman held a little girl’s hand. The girl was cute and sweet, with six small braids on her head tied with little red flowers. Her round face made her especially lovable.
“Vivian, this is Mr. Aurelius,” the woman introduced her daughter to Marcus.
Vivian looked at Marcus, pouted, and said, “I don’t like him!”
Hearing this, the woman grew anxious. “Vivian, how can you say that?”
Vivian replied, “I already have a dad. Why are you with a stranger? Do you want to be like Kevin’s mom, with a strange uncle?”
Though Vivian was just a child, her words made both her mother and Marcus feel awkward.
“Vivian, don’t be panic, your mother and I…”
Before Marcus could finish, Vivian’s eyes lit up, and she shouted excitedly, “Daddy, Daddy!”
Marcus was caught off guard, thinking she was calling him “Daddy.” It seemed Ms. Taylor was already his. He grinned and said, “You’re such a sweet talker; I like that.”
Vivian jumped off her chair and ran to the neighboring table, hugging Kayden tightly. “Daddy, Daddy! I thought you didn’t want us anymore, but you’re here!”
This scene left Marcus dumbfounded. The little girl wasn’t calling him “Daddy” but someone else.
Kayden looked down at the little girl, gently patted her head, and said, “Your name is Vivian, right?”
Vivian nodded like a little adult, “Yes, I am Vivian!”
Kayden recognized her as the girl who had knocked on his door one evening.
“I’m sorry.” Vivian’s mother quickly approached, looking embarrassed. “My daughter mistook you for someone else.”
With that, she picked up the little girl and said, “Vivian, you can’t just call anyone ‘Daddy.'”
“No, he is Daddy! Mommy, he is Daddy!” Vivian clung tightly to Kayden’s shirt, refusing to let go.
Kayden stood up and picked Vivian up in his arms. “That’s right. I am her Daddy.”
Vivian made a victorious gesture, while her mother’s expression changed. “What are you saying? Do we even know each other?”
Before Kayden could respond, Marcus stood up angrily. “Ivy Taylor, didn’t you say you didn’t have a husband? Then where did this husband suddenly come from?”
Ivy quickly shook her head, “Of course not, Mr. Aurelius, you misunderstand. I don’t know this man at all. My daughter is just mistaken.”
“But Mommy, he is Daddy! Did you forget it?” Vivian asked Ivy innocently.
Marcus instinctively glanced at Kayden and then at Ivy. Assuming the stance of a judge, he declared, “This guy clearly doesn’t match your taste. You wouldn’t stoop so low as to choose someone like him.”
Indeed, Kayden’s attire didn’t seem to align with Ivy’s cold and elegant beauty.
“Kid, you’re young and ignorant. If you have any sense, leave now and don’t disturb our meal. By the way, I’ll cover your bill. You have three seconds to disappear from my sight,” Marcus said, making an “OK” gesture toward Kayden.
To his credit, Marcus exuded a strong presence, clearly intending to show off in front of Ivy to make her think he was decisive. Capturing Ivy’s attention was his real goal.
However, Marcus had chosen the wrong target today. If it had been someone else, they might have left, but this was Kayden.
Kayden sneered and replied, “I’ll give you three seconds to get out of my sight.”
Marcus snorted, fuming with rage, “Are you crazy? Don’t you know who I am?”
Kayden began counting down, “Three!”
Marcus scowled. “You’re insane! You’re definitely crazy! Don’t you know who I am?”
“Two!”
Marcus wasn’t about to back down in front of a beauty. He crossed his arms and muttered, “I’d like to see what tricks you can play.”
“One!”
At the final count, Marcus scoffed, “Do you think you can scare me? You’re overestimating yourself! Fine, then. I don’t mind teaching you a lesson.”
Before his words faded, Marcus grabbed an empty wine bottle and walked toward Kayden.
Without hesitation, he raised the empty bottle and swung it at Kayden. Kayden sidestepped gracefully, tripping Marcus skillfully. In the next moment, Marcus stumbled and fell awkwardly to the ground. The wine bottle shattered, and it was as if his head had hit the floor. A cut opened on his forehead, and blood began to flow.
Clutching his injured head, Marcus struggled to his feet and threatened, “You’re in big trouble now, asshole!”
Before he cursed more, Kayden kicked Marcus several feet away.
Kayden’s strength and decisiveness had always been his hallmark.
“Still not leaving?” Kayden threatened, towering over him.
Marcus realized that his dignity was shattered. He understood that his opponent was skilled in martial arts and that he was utterly outmatched.