After returning to the city, Kayden had a quick meal with Wood Faulkner before heading to the hotel.
As soon as they arrived at the hotel entrance, Kayden noticed John Baker standing there, waiting.
The moment John saw Kayden, his face lit up with excitement. “Young Master, you’re here! You finally came!”
Young Master.
John Baker no longer dared to address Kayden by his name. He had to use a more respectful tone.
“Uncle Baker,” Kayden asked, puzzled. “Why are you here? Are you waiting for me?”
John nodded awkwardly, his expression slightly uneasy. “Yes, I’ve been waiting here for a while.”
In fact, John had been there since 1 p. m., waiting for five or six hours.
“Young Master, about what happened the other day… I’m sorry. It was my fault for blaming you without understanding the situation. I was wrong-completely wrong. I came here specifically to apologize to you.” John’s face was filled with guilt as he looked at Kayden.
Kayden understood what John meant. It was about the incident where Emma was almost drugged by Ryder.
Kayden gave a wry smile. “It’s fine, Uncle Baker. It’s all in the past. I know you were just worried about Emma’s safety and spoke out of urgency. I don’t blame you. If that’s why you’re here, there’s really no need. If you have nothing else to say, you should head back.”
As Kayden said this, he turned to leave with Wood Faulkner.
From the moment John Baker had repeatedly shown distrust toward him, Kayden had given up on him. While John carried shadows of his father, he was not his father. He was just John Baker.
Seeing Kayden about to leave, John panicked. “Young Master, wait!”
Kayden paused mid-step, and John, looking deeply remorseful, begged, “Young Master, I know I shouldn’t have doubted your character. That was my mistake. Please, forgive me.”
Before Kayden could react, John suddenly tried to kneel.
Kayden moved quickly, catching him and pulling him up. “Uncle Baker! Don’t do this! I didn’t take it to heart. Please, don’t think about it anymore.”
John’s eyes reddened as he sighed. “I’m the last person who should have doubted you, yet I did. I…”
John hesitated for a moment before continuing, his expression turning serious. “Actually, I came to see you today not just to apologize. I have something else to tell you.”
“What is it, Uncle Baker?”
John remained silent for a few seconds before replying, “It’s about your father. But I want you to forgive me first. Tomorrow, come with me to a place. After that, I’ll tell you everything. If you don’t forgive me, I’ll carry this guilt forever. It’ll eat me alive.”
“My father?” Kayden was visibly confused.
John nodded solemnly. “Yes, it’s about your father.”
Kayden wasn’t sure if John was being truthful, but he still had many unanswered questions about his father’s death. For instance, when Kayden was close to discovering the truth, Massimo was murdered. Someone had been watching the investigation, but no progress was made.
John Baker had been one of his father’s trusted confidants. After his father’s death, John moved far away to the Western Frontier. Clearly, he knew something. Kayden didn’t doubt that.
“By the way, is this your girlfriend?” John suddenly shifted his attention to Wood Faulkner, changing the subject.
Before Kayden could answer, John sighed and said, “I really wronged you. You have such a beautiful girlfriend. How could you possibly have any interest in Emma? I’m so sorry, Young Master.”
—
The next morning, Kayden followed their agreement and arrived at a villa community in the Western Frontier.
The villa district wasn’t overly luxurious, but owning a house here would still cost several million dollars.
John Baker’s friend had recently purchased a house in the area and was hosting a celebration. This was why John had brought Kayden along-to confirm his forgiveness.
Kayden found John’s approach irritating, but for the sake of uncovering information about his father, he had no choice but to go along with it.
As Kayden approached the entrance of one villa, he saw May and John Baker stepping out of a taxi.
“Kayden?” May exclaimed, surprised to see him. She paused, looking puzzled. “What are you doing here?”
May was wearing a black gauzy dress. Despite being in her forties, she was still strikingly attractive.
Before Kayden could respond, John interjected sternly, “I told him to come! Why? Is there a problem?”
May hesitated, glancing at John before replying, “No, of course not.”
She then turned to Kayden with a half-hearted apology. “About last time, we were wrong to accuse you. I’m sorry.”
It was clear from her tone that John had scolded her extensively after the incident.
After offering her apology, May continued, “By the way, once we go inside, don’t say anything reckless. Back at our house, it didn’t matter what you said, but the people here are not ordinary. Be careful with your words.”
John coughed loudly, cutting her off. “Enough! It’s none of your business. Let’s go, Kayden.”
—
The group soon entered the villa.
John Baker’s friend, Finnian Baker, greeted them with a hearty laugh. “John, you’re here!”
“Fin, congratulations, congratulations!” John Baker said, clasping his hands together in a gesture of goodwill.
Finnian laughed in delight. “Thank you, brother! Thank you!”
Standing to the side, May handed Finnian a gift. “Here’s a little something for you.”
Finnian tried to refuse, but his hands reached out eagerly, taking the gift without hesitation. His fingers lingered on May’s hand as he grinned slyly. “May, you look stunning today!”