Wood Faulkner hesitated, her gaze flickering before she uncharacteristically spoke, “I was just thinking that your relationship with Mrs. Rocco seems to be progressing a little too quickly. She’s been so intimate with you in front of so many people. It won’t be long before you become her man! And when that happens, people will mock you as a kept man.”
The idea of a legendary warlord being reduced to a kept man for a woman was almost laughable.
If Kayden really became a kept man, even Wood Faulkner would have to look at him differently.
Seeing Kayden remain silent, Wood Faulkner continued, “Commander, I know I shouldn’t think this way, but I feel like I need to remind you. Her son is as old as you are! You can’t let yourself fall into her trap. If you really became her man, everyone would laugh at you.”
Hearing Wood Faulkner’s words, Kayden could sense a strong wave of jealousy.
Yes, jealousy! Wood Faulkner was clearly jealous.
Her sour mood, her distracted demeanor-it was all because she was jealous. She hadn’t even heard him when he tried to speak to her earlier.
Kayden saw it all and understood. He knew exactly how Wood Faulkner felt about him.
On the battlefield, Wood Faulkner had shown her feelings for him, but Kayden had ignored them. Back then, his hatred consumed him. Revenge was all he could think about. Love and relationships had no place in his life.
If it weren’t for Georgia, Kayden wouldn’t have even known what love truly felt like.
But he didn’t have those kinds of feelings for Wood Faulkner. Despite her beauty, he had always seen her as a buddy, a sister.
“Wood,” Kayden said, avoiding her earlier remarks. He simply called her name.
Wood Faulkner turned, startled, and looked at Kayden, her expression slightly dazed.
He handed her a vial of Dragon Blood and said, “This is for you.”
Wood Faulkner gasped, her eyes widening in surprise as she stared at the glowing green liquid in Kayden’s hand. “Commander, what are you doing? This is worth two billion dollars! How can you just give it to me?”
“I know I said something wrong, but-”
“Enough!” Kayden interrupted firmly. “I bought this specifically for you. It’s perfect for you. You’re an advanced practitioner now. If you drink this, you’ll reach the Grand level. You’ve always wanted to stay by my side, right? Well, only at the Grand level can you truly be of greater help to me.”
“Commander, I…” Wood Faulkner started to say something but stopped herself, unable to continue.
Kayden locked eyes with her and said, “Drink it. If you still want to follow me, then drink it.”
Wood Faulkner hesitantly reached out and took the vial of Dragon Blood, the weight of it heavy in her hand. Two billion dollars. That wasn’t a small amount for anyone.
Watching her take the Dragon Blood, Kayden muttered, “I’m not going to let Mrs. Rocco keep me as a boy toy. You don’t need to worry about that.”
Hearing those words, Wood Faulkner froze for a moment. Was Kayden explaining himself to her?
She had no right to question what he did. To her, Kayden was someone to be admired, someone to worship.
Now, hearing his explanation, she felt a strange warmth in her heart.
“Okay,” Wood Faulkner replied softly, clutching the Dragon Blood tightly in her hand.
“Kayden!”
Just then, as they reached the hotel entrance, a girl’s voice rang out.
The voice was both familiar and unfamiliar, and for a moment, Kayden couldn’t place who it belonged to.
A young woman with a ponytail, dressed in overalls, approached them. She looked to be in her early twenties, with long legs, fair skin, and striking beauty.
It was Sophie Walsh’s sister, Priya-the girl who had once traveled to Inassea to find him.
“It’s you?” Kayden asked, puzzled as he looked at her.
The girl stopped in front of Kayden, placing her hands on her hips as she glared at him. “I can’t believe you’re such an irresponsible man! What did you say to me back in Inassea?”
Irresponsible man.
Wood Faulkner’s gaze shifted to Kayden, her expression unreadable. Her commander-just how chaotic was his personal life? Was this another girl from his past?
That young girl was undeniably beautiful, but she was so young. Had the commander really not spared her either?
The next words from Priya left Wood Faulkner stunned.
“You promised you’d come back after taking care of things! I waited for you for two days, but you never showed up! How could you sneak off here without telling me?”
“My sister is still suffering, thinking about you every day. And here you are, bringing some woman to a hotel! You’re such a scumbag-a total, ultimate scumbag!”
Priya’s voice was loud, drawing the attention of several passersby.
“Ultimate scumbag!”
“Scumbag!”
The words echoed in Kayden’s ears, making him feel awkward and embarrassed.
This was the first time someone had called him that, and he had no way to refute it.
“What’s going on over there? Why are they arguing?” a curious bystander asked.
“Looks like a guy got caught cheating on his wife with another woman,” another replied.
“No way! That dramatic? And look at those two women-they’re both stunning.”
“Right? If I could have just one of them, I wouldn’t mind losing ten years off my life!”
“Look at the one standing next to the guy-so tall and elegant, full of charisma. You hardly ever see someone like that. That guy must’ve saved the galaxy in his past life to get a woman like her.”
“That girl in overalls is no slouch either-so delicate and sweet-looking. And young!”
“Hey, stop staring. We’ll never get women like that. Let’s just go home to the old fields we’re stuck plowing.”
“…”
Kayden cleared his throat and said to Priya, “What are you talking about? Nothing happened between me and your sister!”
“Liar! You’re just an irresponsible jerk-a total scumbag!” Priya shouted, balling her fists and moving as if to hit him.
But before she could, Wood Faulkner stepped in and grabbed her hands.
“Let go!” Priya said indignantly, her voice trembling with frustration. “Why are you helping him?”
“Stop making a scene,” Wood Faulkner said calmly.
“Making a scene? You’ll see what kind of liar he is soon enough. My sister was tricked by him, and you will be too! Just wait-you’ll end up just as miserable as she is! You’re so beautiful-why would you follow a guy like him? Unbelievable!”