He hadn’t said a word to Kayden, yet behind the scenes, he had meticulously arranged everything here! This meant that the old man had calculated every detail; he knew Kayden would come and exactly why he was coming.
He’s a genius! It was as if he understood everything in the world, like a god looking down upon mortals!
Could it be that he had made an agreement with Maverick Quinn beforehand?
Regardless, Kayden would never forget this favor.
Now, Kayden had regained half of his former strength and was finally ready to make his move!
Regaining that fifty percent of his power was the very foundation of his confidence!
With his abilities restored to half, he was now capable of adjusting Wood’s meridians. Perhaps Wood had some clue about that mysterious organization, so it would be best if he could help her regain her memory. With everything laid out in his head, Kayden decided to leave the rest for tomorrow.
The next morning, Kayden set off with Greedy Wolf to the Henderson Mansion. Greedy Wolf had purchased a Bentley for their journey, a fitting vehicle for their current needs. Kayden himself had a car, a Lincoln Limo provided by the government. It wasn’t a car just anyone could drive; it was a symbol of rank and prestige. Only those who had made substantial contributions to the country were granted such an honor.
While Kayden had the power and status to drive such a car, he chose not to have Greedy Wolf use it. It would be too attention-grabbing. In this bustling city, he didn’t want to be recognized at every turn, which didn’t suit his low-profile nature. So, the Bentley was more appropriate for this moment.
Even so, cruising through the streets in the Bentley, they were an undeniable spectacle.
Before long, they arrived at the gates of the Henderson Mansion. Greedy Wolf parked the car, and the two of them walked directly toward the entrance.
Just as they were about to step inside, an excited voice called out from behind. “Kayden… Kayden!”
Kayden halted in his steps and turned around. He saw a girl approaching him. She was dressed in jeans and a shirt. Her ponytail bounced with each step, and a backpack was slung over her shoulders. She looked every bit the stereotypical college student.
“I can’t believe you actually came! I just knew you’d show up here!” The girl beamed with excitement as she hurried towards Kayden, her hand shooting out to grab his arm in an enthusiastic gesture.
The sudden, intimate touch made Kayden’s brows furrow instinctively. It took him only a moment to recognize her-it was the girl he had met on the bus during his first trip from Hiphia to Inassea. Sophie Walsh, the college student.
“It’s you! What’s going on?” Kayden asked, and there was a hint of surprise in his voice.
Sophie’s eyes practically lit up when she heard him. Her face broke into an eager smile, and she asked, “You remember me?”
“I remember you, and so what? What’s up?” Kayden’s memory was exceptional. Whenever he encountered someone or something again, he could instantly recall every detail.
“Then… do you remember my name?” Sophie’s gaze was full of hopeful expectation, as though her whole world depended on the answer. She had assumed that by now he would’ve completely forgotten her, but to her surprise, he still remembered her. If he could recall her name, it meant she still held some small place in his heart. The thought made her heart race with a mixture of hope and excitement.
Kayden’s brow tightened in annoyance. He shook his head, clearly uninterested. Impatiently, he said, “I don’t remember! What on earth do you want from me?”
Sophie’s mouth parted slightly in shock. At that moment her face fell from eager anticipation to disappointment. A bitter, almost sour feeling flooded her chest. Still, she had prepared herself for this outcome. After all, he was such an exceptional man!
At first, Sophie thought Kayden was just a man who relied on women to make a show of his power, with a flicker of justice buried somewhere within. But it wasn’t until she heard him give a lecture that she realized just how remarkable he truly was. That lecture was the turning point, and it was then that she became completely captivated by him.
“I… my name is Sophie Walsh!” she said, her lips pouting slightly as she shyly introduced herself.
Kayden didn’t respond immediately. He merely studied her with a confused gaze, waiting to see what this innocent girl was up to.
Sophie opened her mouth as if to speak, but the words stuck in her throat, and hesitation overwhelmed her. She stole a nervous glance at Greedy wolf by Kayden’s side. Greedy Wolf, understanding her unspoken plea, immediately turned and walked away.
Once Greedy Wolf was out of sight, Sophie bit her lip, as though steeling herself. With a deep breath, she finally said, “I knew you’d come! I’ve been waiting here for over a week. I knew if I just waited long enough, fate would bring you to me. Now I finally meet you!”
Sophie had, indeed, waited for more than a week, nearly every day after school. She had hoped it would only take a few days to catch a glimpse of Kayden, but to her surprise, it took over a week before he finally showed up.
Sophie had planned to give up if he hadn’t shown up today. But to her astonishment, he had come after all. It felt as though their meeting was written in the stars!
Kayden blinked in puzzlement. He was momentarily taken aback by her words. “What are you waiting for me for? Is there something you need?”
It was the second time he’d asked this question and his tone was already tinged with impatience, a subtle irritation creeping in.
As a girl who’s frequently sought after, Sophie had her pride. She had waited for him for more than a week, yet he offered nothing more than a cold, indifferent question. Sophie’s heart stung with disappointment. But then she quickly comforted herself that it wasn’t really his fault. He wouldn’t even be rushing to check on someone like Sariah, a ravishing beauty who could bring any man to his knees. So why would he care about someone like her-someone who was, after all, just another face in the crowd?
With great effort, she managed to force a fragile smile and said, “I want to treat you to a meal. I’ve been wanting to thank you for your help last time, but I never got the chance. This time, you wouldn’t refuse me, would you?”
So, she had been waiting here for a week just for that? Kayden was left momentarily speechless. Then, shaking his head, he asked, “You’ve been waiting here for an entire week just to ask me out for dinner?”
Sophie gave a nod. “Yes, I just wanted to treat you. I didn’t have your contact details. After that one time I saw you at school, you never showed up again. The only thing I knew was that you were in contact with Sariah, so I thought I’d take a chance and wait for you here.”
Kayden was at a loss for words. Was this girl really that naive? Or was it just that these college students had so much free time that they could waste their time on these absurd whims?
He took a deep breath, then looked at her with a resigned expression. “Fine, go back. I have things to do. Once I’m done, I’ll come find you.”
Without waiting for a response, Kayden turned and walked into the Henderson Mansion, leaving her standing there.
Sophie called out his name, but it was as if her voice had been swallowed by the wind. She watched him disappear into the distance. Her frustration bubbled over as she stomped her foot, and her chest tightened with a mix of hurt and disbelief. She had waited for so long, hoping that her efforts might soften him, but all she received was this cold, dismissive response. It was a crushing disappointment.
She wasn’t blind to the truth. She knew full well that when Kayden said, “I’ll come find you,” it was just an empty promise. She had given him her sincere attention, but this was the result. Her heart felt bitter as though something precious had been taken from her.
She had skipped countless classes and braved the discomfort of seeking out Professor Flores, who, instead of helping, had only scolded her. She had endured so much just to see him, only to be treated with indifference. What’s more, for him, her feelings were nothing more than childish fantasies. She could hardly bear it.
“What a heartless scumbag!”