“Nonsense!” John Baker suddenly shouted, his voice booming. “Tomorrow, take Kayden out for a tour of Western Frontier. Visit all the famous spots!”
After his outburst, John quickly softened his tone, smiling broadly as he turned to Kayden. “Kayden, how about this? Tomorrow, I’ll have your sister accompany you to explore the area. Western Frontier is full of beautiful sights. Now that you’re here, don’t miss the chance to take a look around.”
“Why should I?” May interrupted, setting her chopsticks down with a frown. “If he wants to explore, he can go by himself. Our Emma has work to do-she might even become a star! Having dinner with Ryder is far more important than wasting time playing tour guide. Ryder’s family is wealthy, and if they’re willing to support Emma, she’s certain to become a big star.”
She shot Kayden a sharp glance, her expression full of disdain. “What are you even thinking? Do you still think you’re the young master of the Scott family? Let me tell you something, Kayden-stop deluding yourself. You need to understand your position. You’re nothing to the Scott family now. You’re just a castoff. You don’t have the right to waste time playing around.”
May’s tone shifted slightly as she looked at Kayden with a probing expression. “By the way, what kind of work are you doing since leaving the Scott family? How’s your income? What are you doing now?”
Kayden hesitated for a few seconds before replying calmly, “I had a job before. The pay was decent. But now… I’ve been let go.”
It was true. He had been dismissed from his position as the supreme commander of Seclela’s military forces.
“Hah!” May sneered, her laugh dripping with mockery. “So you’re unemployed now, aren’t you?”
Kayden nodded briefly. “I suppose you could say that.”
“‘Suppose’ nothing! No job means no job. Don’t sugarcoat it,” May snapped. “Young people need to get their priorities straight. Stop chasing after empty dreams. Look at your sister-she’s young, and she’s already making over $3, 000 a month. And you? Unemployed! Yet you still think you have time to play around. Do you even feel embarrassed?”
“Enough, May!” John Baker growled softly, suppressing his anger.
May rolled her eyes at him. “John Baker, I’m only saying this for his own good. He’s no longer the young master of the Scott family, no longer the person you once respected. He’s unemployed now, and if he doesn’t straighten himself out, he’ll end up a complete failure.”
She paused, then clapped her hands as if she’d just thought of a brilliant idea. “How about this? Tomorrow, Kayden can join Emma and Ryder for dinner. If Ryder likes him, maybe he can help him get a job. With Emma’s connection, earning $500 or $600 a week shouldn’t be a problem.”
Emma chimed in, nodding in agreement. “Actually, there’s an opening. They need someone to handle odd jobs. It pays $600 a week, with room and board included. I can mention it to Ryder tomorrow and see if he can hire Kayden. But I don’t want him affecting my future or linking himself to me in any way. If people find out I have a relative doing menial work, they’ll laugh at me.”
May’s face lit up. “Exactly! That’s a good point. Let’s frame it this way: Emma, tell Ryder he’s an old classmate of yours. Say his parents passed away and he’s had a tough life. Put in a good word for him-it’s the least we can do.”
Emma nodded. “Sure, I can do that. But Kayden, listen carefully: in the company, you must never, ever mention that you know me. That’s the number one rule. If you see me, avoid me. Don’t even greet me.”
“Exactly!” May said smugly. “Kayden, did you hear that? I’m telling you, you’re not the Scott family’s young master anymore. You’re nothing but a castoff. Start from the bottom, and who knows-maybe one day someone will notice you.”
Kayden listened to their words in silence, his expression unreadable. He didn’t seem angry. Instead, he spoke softly but firmly. “May, Emma, I appreciate your concern. But I’m not a castoff. Jason came to me recently, begging me to take over as the Scott family’s head. I turned him down. It’s not that they abandoned me-I chose to cut ties with them.”
“As for work, there’s no need to trouble yourselves. I came to Western Frontier for a reason. Once I’ve taken care of things, I’ll be leaving.”
His tone was resolute, but to May, it sounded like a joke. She almost laughed out loud.
She let out a long sigh, shaking her head. “Kayden, Kayden… Why can’t you take a good, hard look at yourself? I know you want to save face, but pride won’t fill your stomach. Right now, the most important thing is to make sure you can eat.”
Clearly, neither May nor Emma believed him. They dismissed his words as nothing more than an excuse to preserve his dignity. To them, Kayden’s refusal to acknowledge his situation was just a mistake.
“Alright, it’s settled. Emma, when you have dinner with Ryder tomorrow, make sure to mention it,” May declared, finalizing her decision.
Throughout the exchange, John Baker remained quiet. Deep down, he shared May’s opinion. If Kayden could secure a stable job, it would be a relief. After all, he was no longer the young master of the Scott family.
No matter how much respect John had for him, Kayden still needed to earn his own living.
Earlier, John had even seen Kayden lingering outside the Alfredson family’s estate, seemingly hoping to ask for help. That confirmed his suspicion-Kayden was still clinging to the image of himself as a rich heir, which explained his expensive clothes and impractical demeanor.
After dinner, Kayden received a phone call from Wood Faulkner, asking him to visit the Alfredson family immediately. Without hesitation, Kayden left John Baker’s house.
At the door, John saw him off and offered some parting words. “Kayden, if you’re staying in Western Frontier for a while, feel free to visit us anytime. May’s words may have been harsh, but she means well. Don’t take it to heart.”
“Emma’s a good person, too. I hope you two can get along,” he added.
Kayden studied John Baker for a moment before nodding. “I know, Mr. Baker. Thank you.”
John hesitated, then said, “If you run into any trouble, come to me. You don’t look too well-I’ll get you some medicine in a couple of days.”
Kayden looked at him seriously. “Thank you, Mr. Baker.”
John simply hummed in response, not taking his words about the medicine seriously. He knew Kayden was just trying to save face and didn’t want to embarrass him by pointing it out.
Still, this encounter had made one thing clear to John: Kayden was no longer the same as Ambrose Scott. The gap between them was vast.
After Kayden left, May scoffed. “Kayden is so desperate to save face. His grandfather begged him to return as the family head? What a joke. He’s just trying to impress Emma.”
“Emma,” she continued, “promise me you won’t fall for someone like him. Even if he’s from the Scott family, it’s clear he’s not going back. He probably can’t.”
Emma nodded. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’d never have feelings for someone like him.”
“By the way, are we still helping him find a job tomorrow?”
John sighed heavily. “Yes. Say something to Ryder if you can. His father was an extraordinary man, and the help he once gave me indirectly changed my life.”