Chapter 40
Noreen’s words left Trevor at a loss for a response. He could only say, “I’ll reach out to her. If she’s too swamped, we can reschedule for next week”
“Do that,” Noreen insisted. “Kylie’s heen looking weighed down. She could use a break. As her husband, you should be looking out for her more. Got it?”
“Sure,” Trevor said curtly. Once he was off the phone with his godmother. Trevor took a moment to scan the online chatter about Kylie. After confirming that Zach and the team handled things well, he tried calling Kylie. The line was busy, to Trevor set his phone aside.
A few minutes later, his phone rang. It was Kylie. “Mr. Walters, you called earlier? Kylie asked.
“Grandma’s got friends visiting her at the hospital, and we’re supposed to hit the hot springs. If you’re free tonight, I’ll swing by and get you,” Trevor said, his naturally cool tone conveying through the phone.
Kylie picked up on a subtle hint of reluctance in Trevor’s voice. She guessed it was Noreen who pushed him to invite her. Al hot springs trip was something one would share with a close friend or a loved one. No wonder Trevor sounded less than thrilled
Tm already booked tonight, and I can’t back out. I’m really sorry, Kylie replied, being honest
a
When Trevor had called, she’d been on the line with Ethan. He’d invited her to dinner, mentioning it had been too long since they’d caught up. With the dust settling on the Craig and Melanie situation and the evidence laid bare, Melanie. wouldn’t be causing any more waves. It was the perfect time for them to reconnect and talk.
Trevor, hearing the rejection through the phone, simply raised an eyebrow, “Alright, I’ll tell Grandma.”
“Thanks, Mr. Walters,” Kylie said.
“You bet.” Trevor responded.
After the call ended. Trevor gazed at his phone, his eyes clouding over. He thought to himself, She doesn’t want to go to the hot springs with me?”
A hint of disappointment crossed his mind. He loosened his tie, tossed the phone aside, and picked up a business proposal from the stack nearby. No hot springs and no wasted time–exactly how he liked it.
Back at the Lampard residence, chaos reigned. Samuel and Claude weren’t present, but Austin and Chris were home, confronting Melanie with their phones.
Slumped on the couch, Julie had been in a daze for an hour.
With tears welling up in her eyes, Melanie looked at her brothers as if she’d been terribly wronged Tm being framed. 1 don’t know these people, and that’s not me in the video.”
The photos and leaks were mostly accurate. They showed her entering a hotel with Craig, but not in bed with him. As long as they weren’t caught in the act, it couldn’t conclusively prove that she arid Craig had been intimate.
“Is it really not you, Mel? Julie kept searching online for photos and videos, feeling more and more disheartened with each
one.
“Mom, it’s really not me. They must have doctored it and used Al to swap faces. Mom, I think Kylie planned this all along. She planned to break up with Craig and then how to deal with me. She’s got another man to help her. Melanie had her excuses ready
Chapter 40
“If Kylie didn’t have help, how could public opinion on the internet have shifted so quickly? I underestimated her, Melanie thought.
She once thought Kylie was all about Craig, and even if they had a falling out, it was just a lovers‘ quarrel. It seemed Kylie had already found a patron
Austin frowned Chris, after hearing Melanie’s words, realized something and slapped his thigh. Tve underestimated Kylie. There’s no way photos, videos, and so–called college bucklies could turn the tide in an hour. She must have found a powerful.
backer
“She’s pretty. No surprise there Austin’s expression was gloomy. This incident had already brought shame to the Lampard family.
“I believe Mel wouldn’t stoop to liking Craig. It must be Kylie, jealous that we favor Mel more, and thus hatched this plot discredit her. This matter… I need to think it through. We can’t let her truly ruin Mel: Chris furrowed his brows.
Julie looked at her two sons and then at Melanie, hesitating to speak. She wondered if it was really Al face–swapping, but the doubt was fleeting. Seeing Melanie’s pale face and considering she was the child she raised, Julie felt she couldn’t be lying.
Could Kylie really have found a sugar daddy? How could she stoop to being someone’s kept woman?‘ Julie thought, feeling quite uncomfortable.
“Chris, let the PR team come up with a solution that benefits everyone, and also consider Kylie’s situation, Julie said after a moment of thought.
Melatue was taken aback, looking at Julie in surprise. She thought Julie was starting to feel pain for Kylie
“Yes, she’s found a backer, and now with this misunderstanding between us, Mom is worried about her and me. Let’s find solution that works for everyone and put this matter to rest quickly,” Melanie cried, nodding as if she were considering Kylie and Julie’s feelings.
“Mel is always considerate, Julie said with a sigh.
Austin said with a dark face, “If she really has found a backer, I will absolutely not acknowledge her as my sister. It’s too shameful! A Lampard cannot be reduced to being someone’s kept woman.”
“Well, someone made such a big move in Jardora to solve this matter for her so quickly. I’m afraid the backer Kylie found. I’m afraid he’s around Dad’s age.” Melanie’s eyes spun around as she began to speculate, thinking her backer must be an old
“In the entertainment industry, this kind of thing is not surprising. Even men with no deep background can be kept, not to mention girls with some looks. But it’s just disgusting when it happens so close to home,” Chris said, also turning grim
Julie, who had just felt some sympathy for Kylie, seemed to be disgusted too after hearing her sons‘ and daughter’s words.
“She’s been back for not long and she’s already causing so much trouble.”
Tve got an idea!” Chris stared at his phone. As he saw the PR department’s plan, the clouds of worry on his face immediately cleared up.
At 7 PM in a barbecue restaurant on a bustling street, Ethan arrived ten minutes earlier than agreed and already ordered the barbecue and drinks.
When Kylie arrived, the grilled skewers had just been served. The aroma of barbecued meat filled her senses, awakening her Inner foodie.
Back in high school, while Ethan was in college, he would work part–time, save up some money, and then take her, James, and Hoard to the barbecue stalls because the prices were reasonable, and the taste was delicious.
Chapter 40
“I was just craving soinebaberne. You always know me best. Fin. Kylie said with a grin.
Ethan looked at Kylie, who was smiling like a little foodie, and he hid the worry and speculation in his eyes. “Then don’t just stand there, come sit down, and dig in. I’ve ordered a lot, enough to satisfy your cravings”
SEND GIFT
