“It’s okay! Don’t cry.” Kayden spoke coldly, his voice devoid of emotion. He raised his hand, gently wiping the tears from the corner of Erika’s eyes.
A warm sensation spread through Erika’s chest, bringing her a sense of comfort and relief.
“Get up. I’ll go check on your grandfather first.” With that, Kayden walked over to Coleman.
After checking Coleman’s pulse, Kayden took out a small black pill and handed it to him.
“You’ll be fine. Rest for a week, and you’ll recover. It’s nothing serious,” Kayden reassured him.
Coleman lowered his head, his face filled with guilt. “Commander, I don’t even know how to repay your kindness.”
“It’s nothing. You’re a good man,” Kayden said, patting Coleman on the shoulder.
Coleman opened his mouth as if to speak but fainted before he could say anything.
“Grandpa! Grandpa!” Erika cried out, alarmed.
Kayden raised his hand, gently pressing Erika’s shoulder. “It’s fine. He just needs some rest,” he said calmly.
Then, turning to Goldie Alfredson, he instructed, “Drive them home.”
“Yes, yes!” Goldie Alfredson nodded repeatedly, sweat beading on his forehead. Standing so close to Kayden, he could feel an overwhelming sense of pressure that left him breathless.
Goldie Alfredson quickly carried Coleman on his back, and the group left the temple together.
As they stepped outside, they were met with a grim sight-dozens of bodies scattered across the temple’s entrance. It was a massacre. These were the bodies of the cultivators Sterling Harrison had brought earlier.
There was no doubt-this was Kayden’s handiwork.
After seeing Coleman and Erika off, Kayden prepared to return home.
It had been a long time since he’d last returned to Hiphia. His previous visit had been brief, a fleeting goodbye. This time, he didn’t mind staying a few extra days to spend time with Georgia.
While his current tasks were important, Georgia was even more so. The mysterious organization he was tracking would eventually surface, and all he needed to do was wait patiently. He wasn’t in a rush.
Although he and Georgia were officially husband and wife, his frequent absences had undoubtedly upset her. Women needed to be cared for-he’d read this somewhere, though he couldn’t recall where.
Before heading home, Kayden had one more thing to do: buy some decent clothes. He had given his own clothes to Erika and now needed something presentable to wear.
While he usually didn’t care much about his appearance, there were times when dressing appropriately was necessary.
At a clothing store, he selected two outfits-the most expensive ones he’d bought in three years. They cost him over $10, 000. Of course, money was just a number to him-$10, 000 or a dime made no difference.
Georgia and her family were still living in their old, rundown apartment complex. Despite Kayden buying them a luxurious villa in the southern district worth $8. 88 million, they had refused to move, citing inconvenience for work and shopping.
Soon, Kayden arrived home.
The moment he stepped inside, he was greeted by an unexpected scene.
In the living room, his mother-in-law, Scarlett, was practicing yoga in a tight-fitting outfit that accentuated her curves. Her figure was stunning, every contour on full display.
Though Scarlett was in her forties, she maintained herself impeccably and exercised regularly. Her figure rivaled that of younger women, even attracting more attention on the street than most girls her age.
“Mom!” Kayden blurted out instinctively.
It was the first time he’d called Scarlett “Mom.”
Scarlett, in the middle of a stretching pose, froze momentarily upon hearing this. She turned her head, her beautiful face glistening with sweat, her cheeks flushed from the workout.
“Kayden? What are you doing back?” she asked, blinking in surprise.
“I came to check on you all, and Georgia,” Kayden replied casually.
Scarlett stood upright, ending her stretch. “Did you and Georgia have a fight?” she asked, her tone sharp.
Kayden hesitated for a moment. “No. Why would we fight?”
Scarlett scoffed, her eyes narrowing as if she sensed something was off. “Then why has Georgia been so down lately? She’s been crying alone at night. What’s going on?”
Kayden’s heart tightened. “Could it be something to do with work?”
Scarlett shook her head, her expression serious. “Kayden, I’ve come to accept you-not because I think you’re an amazing person, but because you’ve treated Georgia well. That doesn’t mean you can mistreat her. If I ever find out you’ve hurt her, I won’t forgive you.”
Kayden sighed. “Georgia is my wife. How could I hurt her?”
“For your sake, I hope not. Georgia went out. Go find her and talk to her. She hasn’t been herself lately, and no matter how we ask, she won’t say what’s wrong.”
Kayden nodded, heading to his room to drop off the clothes he’d bought.
As he entered the small, twenty-square-meter room, he noticed something had changed. Though he couldn’t quite pinpoint what, the space felt different.
Before he could dwell on it, a sudden cry came from outside.
“Ah! Ah!”
It was Scarlett’s voice.
Kayden rushed out and found Scarlett on the floor, her face twisted in pain. She was stretching her leg awkwardly, one shapely limb extended as she attempted a yoga pose.
“Kayden, come help me!” she called out, desperation in her voice.
Kayden hurried over without hesitation. To anyone else, the sight might have been tempting-Scarlett’s raised leg and the way her body arched on the floor created an alluring image. But Kayden remained unfazed, his mind focused solely on the task at hand.
“I’ve cramped up! I can’t move! Help me!” Scarlett’s voice trembled.
“Here, here! Massage the muscle!” She patted her hip, guiding him.
Kayden nodded, crouching down to massage the affected area.
As he worked, Scarlett sighed in relief. “This happens every time I do yoga. I don’t know why! I’ve been thinking about hiring a professional yoga instructor, but your dad won’t let me. He’s afraid I’ll get harassed. Thank goodness you’re here. If you weren’t, I don’t know how long I’d be stuck like this.”
Kayden remained silent, focusing on his task.
Scarlett tilted her head curiously. “Huh! The way you’re massaging-it feels so good! Were you a masseur before? This is nothing like the way your dad does it.”