She knew it had to be Mary who sent it over because Mary had just mentioned earlier that the person she was looking for was none other than Kayden-Dr. Scott!
Looking at the bedding, she felt rather awkward. It seemed like she and Mary had done the same thing.
After setting the bedding down, Daphne awkwardly asked, “Um, um, was this sent by my cousin?”
Kayden nodded and replied, “Yes, she sent it over.”
“Oh!” Daphne said, embarrassed. “Grandfather was just talking to both of us earlier, and I thought she hadn’t brought it over yet, so I came to deliver it myself. I’m sorry. I’ll take it back in a bit.”
“It’s fine. Just leave it here. What if I get really cold tonight?” Kayden said half-jokingly.
Daphne nodded, putting on an air of grace befitting a proper lady. But this wasn’t her usual personality. She was bold and fearless by nature-someone who dared to act without hesitation. After all, she had kissed Kayden in front of a crowd and had stood against her grandfather, Memphis John, during a life-and-death crisis for her family.
The only reason she was acting like this now was because she felt embarrassed.
“Um…” After putting down the bedding, Daphne’s face turned red as she said, “Dr. Scott, I know I said the wrong thing earlier. I made a mistake. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that in front of everyone.”
“It’s fine,” Kayden replied calmly. “If you hadn’t said it, your grandfather might not be alive right now. You made the right choice.”
Hearing Kayden’s reassurance, Daphne’s face lit up with joy. She quickly looked up at him, her excitement evident as she asked, “Really?”
Kayden nodded. “Of course.”
“So… you’re not mad at me?” Daphne asked, her voice filled with hope.
“Of course not. Why would I be mad at you?” Kayden replied nonchalantly.
“That’s great! Thank you, Dr. Scott! You’ve been such a great benefactor to my family. You saved my father, and now you’ve saved my entire family again! I don’t even know how to repay you.”
“Good deeds are always rewarded. As long as the John family continues to do good, I’m sure everything will be fine.”
“Yes, I understand!”
Daphne mustered her courage and asked, “Then… will I have a chance to be with you in the future?”
Her eyes were fixed on Kayden as she asked, unwavering despite the nervous pounding of her heart.
Kayden chuckled softly and shook his head. “Focus on your studies for now. We’ll talk about it after you finish school.”
At just nineteen years old, Daphne hadn’t even turned twenty yet. Kayden didn’t have the heart to reject such a brave girl outright. What surprised him most was her boldness-she didn’t hide her feelings and spoke her mind without hesitation.
Kayden didn’t want to be the one to destroy that part of her.
“So, does that mean I’ll have a chance after I finish school?” Daphne’s eyes grew wide with hope, as though she’d just caught sight of a glimmering future.
Kayden wanted to tell her he already had a wife, but after a brief moment of thought, he decided against it. Instead, he simply smiled and said nothing.
But to Daphne, it was as if she had just received a shot of adrenaline. She nodded enthusiastically, saying, “I understand! Thank you.”
After Daphne left, Kayden pulled out his phone to glance at it. Georgia still hadn’t replied.
In the days that followed, news of Kayden’s plan to eliminate The Nightshade caused quite a stir among Seclela’s upper echelons. The moment people heard about it, it was as if a bomb had gone off.
—
In Zlando, at the Cultivator’s Guild…
In a solemn meeting room sat a group of people, their faces grim, each harboring their own thoughts.
“Did he really say he’s going to wipe out The Nightshade in the east?”
“It’s true. The information has been verified. It came directly from him.”
“This Defender of the South is truly overbearing. How could he make such a decision without consulting us in the Cultivator’s Guild? He’s supposed to guard the nation’s borders. Does he think he can take down a cultivation sect without going through us?”
“Exactly! His actions are outrageous and arrogant! Does he think he controls everything in Seclela? He was explicitly told that his duties were limited to the borders and that domestic matters didn’t concern him. And this is a matter of cultivators!”
“For three years, he’s been absent without a word. Now he’s back and stirring up trouble in the country. We turned a blind eye when he killed the Five Ghosts, but now he’s planning to destroy an entire sect? This is lawlessness! If we let him continue like this, it won’t be long before all of Seclela is under his rule!”
“Yes, it’s chaos! We, the Cultivator’s Guild, cannot stand idly by!”
“-”
“I don’t see it that way. While his actions are bold, his reputation precedes him. Over the past decade, he’s guarded the borders without a single mishap. If he’s targeting The Nightshade, there must be a reason. The Nightshade must have provoked him somehow.”
“So what are you saying? That you support his interference in domestic affairs?”
“Provoked him? Even if that’s the case, does that give him the right to destroy a Hermit Sect? The Nightshade is a century-old sect that has long lived in seclusion. How could they have anything to do with him?”
“I think he’s just looking for trouble. With no wars to fight lately, he’s turned his attention to the Hermit Sects.”
“That’s nonsense. What we should do is send someone to ask him why he’s doing this.”
“Ask him? What’s the point? He’s taking advantage of his authority to act recklessly. If you go and question him, he’ll probably just lash out at us, claiming we’re neglecting our duties in managing the domestic sects.”
“Theo Remington, I think you’re deliberately covering for him.”
The meeting room erupted into chaos, with arguments flying back and forth.
At that moment, an elderly man with white eyebrows and a black suit sat at the head of the table, his eyes shut tightly, his expression thoughtful. He pressed his fingers to the corners of his eyes, rubbing them as if deep in contemplation.
As the heated debate continued, he coughed twice, breaking the noise. Releasing his hands, he opened his bloodshot eyes and scanned the room.
When everyone saw him open his eyes, they immediately fell silent.
He swept his gaze over the assembly and said, “Do as Theo suggested.”
With that, he stood up and left the room.
Theo, the one who had proposed asking Kayden about his reasons, now had the president’s endorsement.
No one dared to object further. Though many still felt dissatisfied, their discontent gradually faded in the face of the president’s authority.