After Ann left, Kayden casually checked into a hotel for some rest.
He didn’t go to the hotel where Felicity and her mother were staying-he knew the Scott family was already watching him.
The room he chose was luxurious. Kayden sat on the balcony, leaning back in a chair with a perfect view of the streets below, illuminated by the quiet glow of the night.
His eyes were fixed on the city lights, but his thoughts had already wandered.
A memory emerged, vivid and alive-a scene from the past. Three children, laughing and playing together. Two boys held hands as they carried a little girl between them. The girl wore an elaborate gown, calling herself a princess. The boys, her loyal steeds, galloped around the yard with her on their imaginary chariot.
The air was filled with laughter, carefree and bright-a time of pure joy.
Those three children were Kayden, Brodie, and Hana.
Back then, they were inseparable. Life was simple, filled with nothing but eating, sleeping, and playing. The sky seemed bluer, the days brighter, and their futures full of promise.
Kayden wasn’t a heartless person. He knew deep down that Brodie had nothing to do with his parents’ deaths.
But why, he wondered, did Jason use such despicable tactics to manipulate Brodie?
As his mind wrestled with these thoughts, his phone suddenly buzzed.
Kayden glanced at it-a call from an unfamiliar number, originating from Vernon. He hesitated for a moment before answering.
He remained silent, waiting for the caller to speak first.
“Kayden, it’s me, Stephanie,” a woman’s voice said on the other end.
Stephanie.
Aunt Stephanie. The very person who had rescued him from the darkest depths of the dungeon.
Years ago, when Kayden had been imprisoned, it was Stephanie-freshly graduated from college-who had learned of his plight and secretly freed him.
That was the last time he’d seen her. They lost contact after that. Now, out of the blue, she was calling him.
Kayden sat upright in his chair, his expression softening with emotion. “Stephanie… how have you been?” he asked, his voice betraying a hint of excitement.
“I’m good. Very good,” Stephanie replied, her voice tinged with relief. “Kayden, how about you? Are you doing well?”
“I’m fine,” he said with a firm nod. “I’m doing well.”
“That’s good. That’s very good,” she said. Her voice quivered slightly, as if holding back tears.
There was a brief silence before she sighed softly. “Kayden, I’ve heard about everything that’s happened to you. Actually, there’s another reason I called.”
“Go on,” Kayden said. “I’m listening.”
“It’s about Brodie’s engagement. I was wondering if you’d consider attending. I know you despise the Scott family, but this has nothing to do with Brodie. It’s one of the most important days of his life. Would you… would you be willing to come?”
Stephanie’s voice faltered, as if she was unsure how to continue.
“Of course, if you don’t want to, I understand. I won’t force you,” she added quickly.
Kayden hesitated. Of course, it was about this.
But before he could respond, a man’s furious voice erupted from the other end of the line. “Who are you talking to? Why are you sneaking around?”
“Kayden, I have to go,” Stephanie said hurriedly. “Please think about it, okay? I’ll talk to you later.”
The call ended abruptly, leaving a series of beeping sounds in Kayden’s ear.
Kayden stared at the phone, replaying the man’s angry voice in his mind. Something about it unsettled him. His instincts told him that Stephanie wasn’t doing well.
Stephanie held a special place in Kayden’s heart. He couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering. Anyone who dared hurt her would face the harshest consequences.
The next day, Kayden continued searching Vernon for Wood Faulkner and the person who had abducted her.
He spent the entire day asking questions and following leads, but it was all in vain. Even the owner of the Bamboo House had no useful information.
Meanwhile, Felicity and her mother had returned to their hometown early in the morning. Felicity wanted to let Kayden know, but she couldn’t reach him. Though disappointed, she quickly came to terms with it. Perhaps they were only meant to cross paths once.
Daphne and Mary also spent the day looking for Kayden, to no avail. They retraced his steps and even tried to track Walter’s movements, but Walter seemed just as clueless about Kayden’s whereabouts.
Amelia, however, refused to give up. Her brother, Colin Bolton, had been suspended from his position, and she was convinced that Kayden was behind it. She wouldn’t lose this chance to save her father. No matter the cost, she was determined to find Kayden and secure the miracle drug.
Ann, after being deceived the night before, wasn’t ready to give up either. She continued her search for Kayden.
As for Brodie, his parents, and the Scott family, tension filled the air. The engagement ceremony was rapidly approaching, but there was still no word on whether Kayden would attend.
Jason sat in the Scott family’s grand hall, his demeanor calm and composed. But inside, he was anything but calm.
“Billy, any sign of the young master?” Jason asked.
Billy shook his head helplessly. “No, sir. The young master hasn’t surfaced. Miss Ann tried to find him, but she failed. We’re still searching.”
Jason chuckled bitterly. “It’s no use. If he doesn’t want to be found, no one can find him.”
“Do you think he’ll come back? There are only two days left,” Billy asked.
Jason’s brows furrowed in thought, but after a moment, he nodded firmly. “He’ll come.”
One word. Absolute certainty.
All of Vernon seemed to be searching for Kayden, but to no avail.
That night, Kayden returned to his hotel. He tried calling Stephanie, but she didn’t answer.
Setting his phone aside, he sank into thought. The man’s voice from the previous night echoed in his ears. Was Stephanie in trouble?
As he wrestled with his worries, a sudden knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.
It was late-nearly eleven at night.
Without hesitation, Kayden got up and opened the door.
A wave of perfume hit him as the door swung open, revealing a woman with heavy makeup and scant clothing. Her long hair framed a coquettish smile.
“Hey there, handsome,” she said, her voice dripping with seduction. “Looking for some special company tonight?”