Chapter 36
Stuck in a real bind, Kylie was unable to release the video, keeping the truth under wraps. Noticing Ethan’s quiet concern, Kylie decided to take action. Tm gonna find us a lawyer.”
“Kylie, lawyers in Jardora probably won’t take your case. The Lampard family’s legal team is well–known, and their PR is top- notch.” Ethan said, his voice heavy with concern, his face serious
Kylie held her phone, lost in thought. Anyone watching her would see the tight grip she had on it, a clear sign of her frustration.
“Maybe you should talk to your biological parents and show the video to them. They might be able to help you and on this from getting worse. Ethan advised. It was an idea his friends had come up with.
He knew Kylie didn’t want to face Samuel and Julie right now. After all, Samuel and Julie were backing Melanie and were unapologetically against Kylie. Ethan wondered how they would react if she did meet them. It seemed so unfair. He felt helpless, like a hard pill to swallow.
With moist eyes, Kylie murmured. Til think about it. Don’t worry about this for now. I know you’ve got your own stuff going on. My issue isn’t a big deal. I can handle it. I appreciate your concern, Ethan, but I’ve grown up. I’m not the kid who cries at every little problem. I’ll face these challenges head–on.”
She was supposed to handle this well but didn’t expect to worry her family. On the other end, after Ethan hung up, his eyes were also filled with emotion.
After talking with Ethan. James called. After Kylie gave him a quick update, he offered to come over. She declined, saying she could handle it, and she told James to focus on work.
Once off the phone with James, she checked the time—it was already half past six. She changed her clothes, went downstairs, and grabbed a yogurt from the fridge. She sprinkled some cereal on top and ate it straight from the container.
Just then, Julie called Kylie looked at Julie’s name on her screen, remembering what Ethan had said. She felt a pang in her heart, wondering if she should give her another chance.
“You finally answered! Do you realize your mistake? You’re my daughter, after all. If you admit your mistake, we’ll forgive you this time. The online gossip will fade. Your dad and I will send you abroad for a while. Just behave and don’t cause any more trouble, understand?” Julie said quickly, her voice a mix of relief and annoyance.
When Julie saw the call connect, she felt a sense of relief, but her pent–up frustration came out in a rush of words.
Kylie’s cold voice replied, “The photos are real, and I have videos of them at the mall.”
Julie was taken aback for a moment and then responded in disbelief, “What are you saying? Seriously? No way. That’s impossible, Melanie has always been virtuous, not like you, just moving in with Craig casually.”
Kylie’s heart turned cold, and she sneered, “Melanie filled your head with that, didn’t she? End the call and check your WhatsApp messages.”
Melanie was the type to spin a tale just to smear her name–a textbook example of how a guilty conscience couldn’t handle innocence.
A few minutes after they hung up, Julie called again.
“Done viewing?” Kylie asked.
Julie replied, “Mel is destined for a prosperous marriage; this can’t ruin her future. Kylie, listen to me. Let’s put this behind us. I won’t demand an apology, but you must not discuss this with anyone else. Consider this a debt Mel owes you. I’ll talk to your dad, and we’ll make it up to you. They probably just had a dose moment. It was nothing serious.”
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Chapter 36
“A passionate kiss ist serious? Your values are really messed up shouldn’t have had that much hope for you, Kylie said before ending the call.
Her heart, already battered by past wounds, had briefly fluttered with hope at Ethan’s words. But now, she realized she’d been wrong to hold onto any illusions about her birth family
As Trevor came downstairs, he overheard her call and her words
After hanging up, although Kylie didn’t shed any tears, she looked like a wounded young animal, pitifully tending to its injuries alone.
Trevor’s blue eyes deepened, a shadow passing through them as an old memory had stirred. He knew the feeling all too well–the solitude of healing from life’s knocks.
The sound of his footsteps on the stairs startled Kylie. She looked up at Trevor, her eyes still filled with unreso
and sorrow, which suddenly met Trevor’s blue eyes, causing him to pause, Recognizing her vulnerability, Kylie quickly averted her gaze.
Trevor strode over, noticed her low spirits, and said, “The herbal tea you gave me last night was incredibly effective.”
About an hour after drinking the tea, his restless and melancholie mood had nearly leveled out, and he had drifted off to sleep without realizing it.
Kylie nodded nervously and said. Tm glad it helped. I’ll prepare more when I run out. I have things to do, leave.”
so I’ll take my
She didn’t want anyone to see her flustered and helpless side. Grabbing her bag, without even a glance at Trevor, she hurried to the door, changed her shoes, and left
Trevor frowned, his gaze returning to the yogurt container on the table that Kylie hadn’t had time to throw away. everything were fine, she would have made herself a nutritious breakfast in the morning
Her eyes, as vulnerable as a wounded fawn’s, haunted him, and Trevor’s expression turned to ice. Glancing down, he checked the message from Zach that had just popped up on his phone
Trevor found out that Kylie hadn’t fought back against the Lampard family online, not because she was lacking proof, but because she’d been muted on social media.
The Lampard family had blocked her from speaking out, and to make matters worse, her own mother had turned a blind eye, opting to side with them even after the truth came to light it was a double betrayal that left him feeling a chill.
Trevor tapped his fingers on the table a few times and then dialed Zach.
“Mr. Walters, what are your orders?” Zach’s tone was a bit urgent.
Feeling a streak of good fortune since swapping out his pendant Zach decided to try his luck on a scratch–off ticket yesterday. To his surprise, he hit a few hundred bucks–the biggest win he’d ever scored. It was the kind of unexpected cash grab he’d never encountered before in his life.
Before, if Kylie hadn’t given him a heads–up, he could have ended up really unlucky–like losing his life while wearing that pearl pendant. Now, seeing Kylie getting picked on and knowing the real story, he felt a pang of guilt for not stepping in to help.
Guilt kept him awake last night. Watching the Lampard family’s paid posters manipulate the truth and lead people astray filled him with rage.
Yes, he knew he had to hold back. Without Trevor’s green light to support Kylie, he couldn’t just jump in and take drastic
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