The group exchanged glances but followed Max into the living room without a word.
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Kayla looked around. The living room was shabby and worn. Even the table legs were clumsily repaired. It was clear Max had struggled over the years.
Max wheeled himself slowly to the table. Despite his disabled legs, scarred face, and thin frame, he still carried a sharp, commanding presence–a glimpse of the impressive man he must have been in his youth.
A cold draft blew through the window, chilling Kayla’s wet clothes. She shivered, her lips and face pale from the cold.
Just then, a clean white towel was handed to her, fresh and warm. Payton said, “Dry yourself. Don’t catch a cold.”
Elijah frowned slightly. It was his new towel. He had been using the old one for a year and was saving the new one for himself. But Payton had given it to Kayla. Elijah couldn’t help but feel a bit put out.
Unaware of Elijah’s frown, Kayla took the towel from Payton. What Max had thrown at her was cold and foul–smelling. She couldn’t stand it any longer.
Her fingertips brushed lightly against Payton’s knuckles as she said sincerely, “Thank you.”
She hadn’t intended to get close to Payton, but he was so thoughtful and proper that it was hard to stay cold. Besides, he had just defended her when Elijah attacked. She couldn’t just brush Payton off. Kayla grumbled inwardly, ‘Oh, what a headache!‘
Payton pressed his lips together, glancing down at his fingers, slightly curled and then relaxed. An almost invisible smile touched the corner of his mouth, but it vanished quickly. He replied, “You’re welcome.”
Kayla didn’t notice his expression, focused on drying herself until she felt much better.
She hesitated about whether to wash the towel when Payton’s hand reached out again. “Let me have it,” he said, smoothly and naturally, as if it were the obvious thing to do.
“Maybe I should clean it.” Kayla hesitated.
Payton took it firmly. “No need.” Then, he handed her a glass of warm water.
Kayla accepted it, thinking, ‘Is he being too attentive? He noticed I was cold and gave me a towel, and then warm water. Does he really not want anything in return?’
But then, she saw Payton pouring water for Max and Elijah, too, his movements natural. “Have some water. Let’s sit and talk calmly,” Payton said. Then, he took a seat beside Kayla and began drinking quietly.
Kayla thought, ‘Well, I overthought it. Payton’s thoughtful… and maybe waiting to see how this plays out?‘
She shook her head, shifting her focus away from Payton, her fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of her glass.
Silence filled the room, broken only by the occasional creak of the window frame, adding a touch of life to the stillness.
After a while, Kayla gathered her courage and looked at Max, asking softly, “Mr. Carter, could you tell me what happened back then?” To know where to begin investigating and clear Bailee’s name, she had to figure out the facts first.
Payton and Elijah both turned their gaze to Max, eyes filled with curiosity, doubt, and seriousness.
Max slowly looked around, his gaze finally settling on Kayla, yet seeming to look through her, sorrow in his expression. “This goes back over twenty years. Before your grandfather died.”
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7:57 pm
Chapter 96
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His voice was low, magnetic, each word heavy with memory. He lowered his head, thoughtful, hair falling across his face, adding to his weary appearance.
“I was an orphan adopted by the Perry family, a few years older than Bailee. We grew up together.” A touch of warmth crept into Max’s tone.
Your grandfather, Julian Perry, was very good to me. He put me through school, taught me business, and trusted me deeply. He even once thought of having me marry Bailee and run Perry Group together.” Max’s voice held gratitude and nostalgia.
But it quickly shifted to something more resigned. “But there was an age gap between Bailee and me. She always saw me as an older brother and never considered anything romantic.
“I always remembered the Perry family was my savior. I followed Julian’s wishes–worked hard and took care of Bailee. So even though we were close, it was more like siblings than lovers.”
Max’s expression grew complex. He sighed softly and continued, “Julian probably noticed Bailee had no feelings for me and dropped the idea of us marrying. Back then, we were still a happy… family.” His tone held a hard–to–describe mix of
emotions.
Elijah frowned slightly. After caring for Max for so long, he knew every shift in his mood. Elijah thought, ‘Did I just hear a trace of disappointment and regret in dad’s voice? Or was I mistaken?’
Before Elijah could dwell on it, Max’s tone shifted, his expression turning serious. “Later, Julian sent me on a two–year assignment to manage a branch office in another city. When I returned, I heard Bailee was about to marry Jackson.”
At the mention of “Jackson,” Max’s eyes turned sharp, a cold intensity flashing within.
Kayla frowned, her face full of surprise and confusion, “So suddenly? Did you know my father before?”
Max snorted, a trace of disdain crossing his face, “Back then, he was just a new employee. Why would I notice him?” His voice was icy, full of scorn.
The next second, silence fell in the living room. Payton and Elijah both looked at Kayla, watching her reaction.
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