For the past couple of days, Scarlett had been feeling an ache in her hips again. She couldn’t help but think back to a few days earlier when Kayden had performed acupuncture on her. The relief it had brought was so satisfying that she wished Kayden could do it for her every day. Unfortunately, Kayden had done something unforgivable to her daughter, and because of that, Scarlett couldn’t bring herself to rely on him, even if it meant enduring the pain.
Determined to find relief, Scarlett traveled from the city to seek out Diomidis Stevens, a renowned expert in traditional medicine. She was hopeful that this acclaimed healer could help her with the cramps and soreness in her hips.
But as soon as she entered the room, she saw the one person she least wanted to encounter-Kayden. This man, who had toyed with her daughter’s emotions, was standing there, and the sight of him instantly reignited her anger.
“What are you doing here?” Scarlett’s face, which had carried a polite smile moments earlier, darkened immediately. Her expression turned icy, as if she had walked straight into a blizzard.
“Mom!” Kayden blurted out, his voice filled with astonishment.
The room fell silent. Everyone present was shocked by his words. This beautiful, elegant woman was Kayden’s mother? It was hard to believe. Scarlett looked far too youthful and sophisticated to have a son his age.
Naturally, people began to speculate. Wasn’t the child of such a poised woman supposed to be some arrogant, spoiled heir? Yet Kayden hardly fit that description.
Scarlett’s response, however, dispelled any lingering doubts.
“Don’t call me ‘Mom’!” she snapped at Kayden, her voice filled with disdain.
She then glanced at Diomidis Stevens, who was dressed in a shabby robe, and at Greg Versoonder, who was clad in a pristine white coat. Her tone was sharp as she addressed them.
“Dr. Stevens, I don’t know what illness he’s suffering from, nor do I care. Whatever it is, he deserves it. This man is a heartless scoundrel who played with my daughter’s feelings and caused her so much pain that she ended up hospitalized and unconscious. This kind of man doesn’t deserve help-let him deal with the consequences of his actions!”
Greg and Diomidis exchanged puzzled looks. Was Kayden really the type of person Scarlett described? It was hard to reconcile her accusations with the composed young man before them.
Scarlett continued, her voice steady but filled with contempt. “Let me tell you his story. Three years ago, this man lost his memory and wandered into our family’s life. Back then, he was nothing more than a fool-a helpless, dependent fool who couldn’t take care of himself. We took him in and treated him like one of our own. My daughter never once looked down on him. In fact, even when I arranged for her to meet better men, she refused to abandon him. She stayed by his side through thick and thin.”
“But then, after regaining his memory, he did something unforgivable to my daughter. And now he has the audacity to come back and act as though he can mend her broken heart. His behavior is disgusting and infuriating!”
Kayden stared at Scarlett, his face a mixture of confusion and frustration. “Mom, what exactly did I do to Georgia? Can’t you just tell me? Did Luther say something to you?”
Scarlett sneered, her disdain palpable. “You know better than anyone what you did. Stop pretending. If I were to say it out loud, it would only disgrace the Adams family. Do you think we’d let you drag our name through the mud any further?”
Scarlett’s anger deepened. “I must have been blind to think you were a decent person. Now you’re even trying to pin the blame on Luther? Let me tell you, this has nothing to do with him!”
“Georgia has already found someone better than you. Luther is a billionaire, and he’s far more suitable for her than you ever were. If you have any decency left, you’ll sign the divorce papers and let my daughter go.”
The word “divorce” left Kayden momentarily stunned. He shook his head in disbelief.
“Mom, I’m not asking for a divorce-I’m asking for answers! Why has everything fallen apart so suddenly? I’m completely in the dark here. Can’t you just explain it to me?”
Scarlett’s expression twisted with disgust as she looked at Kayden. “Stop pretending! You know exactly what you’ve done. I don’t have the stomach to say it out loud.”
For Scarlett, the idea of her daughter being abandoned by a live-in son-in-law was too shameful to bear. Such a scandal would ruin her family’s reputation and make her a laughingstock. She would never admit it publicly.
Having said her piece, Scarlett lost all interest in seeking treatment. She turned and left without looking back.
Kayden stood there, dazed and confused. He genuinely had no idea what had caused this dramatic shift in their attitudes. Was it really because of Luther’s sudden appearance?
As he stood lost in thought, Diomidis Stevens chuckled. “Mr. Scott, I didn’t expect you to have such a colorful home life. This is quite surprising.”
His words were clearly meant as a joke, and the others couldn’t help but smile, though Christina managed only a faint one.
She glanced at Kayden, her thoughts conflicted. She hadn’t seen any signs that this man was the callous villain Scarlett described.
Kayden sighed deeply, his tone weary. “Honestly, I don’t know what’s going on. Everything was fine, and then, all of a sudden, it wasn’t.”
On the battlefield, he was decisive and fearless. He could take a life in ten steps and leave without a trace.
But when it came to matters of the heart, he felt powerless. Relationships were far more complicated than the battles he was used to. Nothing was going the way he hoped, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t make sense of it all.
Greg Versoonder spoke up, his expression serious. “From what I see, this isn’t Mr. Scott’s fault. Based on his life experience and character, I don’t believe he’s capable of the things that woman accused him of. There must be some misunderstanding. Once it’s cleared up, everything will be fine.”
“Maybe,” Kayden replied, though his voice was tinged with doubt.
“Let’s not dwell on my troubles,” he said, changing the subject. “What brings you to Hiphia?”
Greg perked up. “There’s going to be a large music exchange event in a few days. I was invited, so I decided to come take a look.”
Diomidis Stevens chimed in. “I also received an invitation. These events are held often to promote the development of musical instruments.”
Kayden raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You two are into music?”
Diomidis Stevens waved a hand modestly. “Not seriously. It’s just something to pass the time.”
Christina interjected with a proud smile. “That’s not true! My master has a nickname-Melody Hartwell! His flute playing is the most beautiful and moving you’ll ever hear. I’ve been brought to tears by it myself.”