After listening to Ryder’s words, John Baker was certain that Kayden was simply boasting in front of them. This young man still hadn’t come to terms with reality, nor had he recognized his current position.
May let out a cold laugh. “Kayden, oh Kayden, when are you going to realize your place? Maybe you’re deeply infatuated with Emma, desperate to impress her, eager to prove yourself in front of us, and even in front of Mr. Steele. But when your lies are exposed, don’t you feel embarrassed?”
She smirked. “Oh, wait. What am I saying? Embarrassment doesn’t seem to register with someone like you. Your skin’s thick enough as it is. Can’t you just stop boasting in front of us and recognize where you actually stand?”
Kayden glanced at May and John Baker. Their expressions were filled with helplessness and resignation.
He understood that what he said was hard for them to believe, but he didn’t bother explaining. Instead, he replied calmly, “Don’t worry, you’ll see. Zack Alfredson should recover soon.”
“Again with this nonsense?” May didn’t even know how to respond anymore. Kayden was clearly someone who could say one thing to humans and another to spirits-whoever he was talking to at the moment.
“Really? Well, I’ll be keeping an eye on that,” Ryder said, but he couldn’t help bursting into laughter after finishing his sentence.
“Sorry, I just couldn’t hold it in,” Ryder added, laughing so hard he struggled to breathe.
He found Kayden utterly ridiculous, to the point where words failed him.
“By the way!” Ryder suddenly thought of something and asked, “Since you’re so skilled, Mr. Scott, and you can even heal someone like Mr. Alfredson, you must be quite exceptional. Judging by your confidence, are you a cultivator?”
Kayden observed Ryder for a moment, then nodded slightly. “Yes, you could say that.”
“‘You could say that,’ huh?” Ryder’s grin widened even further.
He chuckled. “So, Mr. Scott, are you aware of the recent cultivator auction organized by the Rocco family? Since you’re apparently connected to the Alfredson family, were you invited to attend this exclusive event?”
The mention of the cultivator auction drew attention. It was a grand event in the Western Frontier, known not only to the elite but also to the general public due to the Rocco family’s extensive promotion every year.
This wasn’t an event just anyone could attend. Only renowned cultivators, individuals skilled in martial arts and well-known in the cultivation world, were invited.
Kayden nodded slightly. “Yes. Mrs. Rocco called me last night and said she’d send me an invitation.”
“What?” Ryder’s eyes widened in mock surprise. “Are you saying Mrs. Rocco-the stunning, elegant Mrs. Rocco-personally called you and promised to send you an invitation?”
Ryder’s face was full of amusement, clearly ridiculing Kayden.
Without hesitation, Kayden nodded. “Yes, it was her.”
“Hahahaha!” Ryder couldn’t hold back any longer and burst out laughing.
“Emma, this Mr. Scott is truly something else. It’s like he doesn’t think before he speaks! He can imagine anything-absolutely anything! Mrs. Rocco, the Rocco family’s pride and symbol, calling you? Mr. Scott, did you connect with her in a dream?”
Ryder’s words made John Baker silently sip his drink. Kayden’s claims were becoming more and more outrageous.
It was undeniable that Kayden carried traces of Ambrose Scott’s pride-after all, he was from the Scott family. A certain level of arrogance was expected. However, the idea of coming to the Western Frontier, treating Mr. Alfredson, and claiming connections to the Rocco family? How could John Baker believe such things?
Not to mention, Mrs. Rocco was a figure of such prestige. Kayden’s words were simply absurd.
John Baker felt deeply disappointed in Kayden, but he could only attribute it to the younger man’s circumstances. Perhaps being expelled from the Scott family had left Kayden clinging to delusions of still being the family’s heir. These fantasies must have been fueled by his resentment and unwillingness to accept reality.
Kayden was clearly refusing to face the truth.
Looking at Ryder’s mocking expression, Kayden remained calm and said, “I don’t need to prove anything to you. Some things are beyond the comprehension of someone at your level.”
Ryder was, indeed, a low-level figure-practically insignificant.
Ryder chuckled. “Sure, sure. Compared to you, I’m nothing. But let me just say this: in my family, only the head gets an invitation to the auction. What exactly qualifies you to receive one?”
May took a deep breath. “Do we even need to ask? He probably got it in a dream. You know what? Let’s just stop associating with him. Knowing someone like Kayden is embarrassing enough already! Kayden, leave. I don’t want to see you again. If anyone finds out we know you, we’ll lose face completely.”
“John Baker, do you see this? This is Ambrose Scott’s son-the son of the man you’ve been so grateful to. Today, you’ve finally seen his true colors: an arrogant, delusional braggart.”
John Baker said nothing, keeping his head down. He felt a deep sense of discomfort and embarrassment.
Emma quickly interjected, “That’s enough, Kayden. Just leave. Our family doesn’t welcome you anymore. The things you’re saying-do you realize how disappointed my father is in you?”
At this point, there was no need for Kayden to explain further. Seeing John Baker’s grim expression, Kayden understood that his words were hard to believe. If they viewed him as an ordinary person, of course, his statements sounded like empty boasts.
But none of that mattered anymore.
Kayden’s primary reason for coming here was to see John Baker. Now that they’d met, there was no need to stay.
With that thought, Kayden reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black pill, handing it to John Baker. “Mr. Baker, your health isn’t great. Take this pill, and your body won’t develop any diseases. If you don’t take it, within three years, you’ll be diagnosed with cancer. If you trust me, take it.”
He placed the pill bottle on the table. Inside was a single black pill-a priceless Vigorleaf Pill capable of curing all illnesses.
“Ugh, what’s wrong with you?!” May snapped. “We let you stay out of kindness, and now you’re cursing John with illness? Who needs your stupid pill? You’re nothing but a fraud!”
She grabbed the pill and threw it into the trash.
Kayden said nothing more. With measured steps, he turned and left.