Chapter 16 Scandals Everywhere–What’ll Kael Do?
Nova stayed with Mabel for a chat, then received a message from Kael.]
[Got something to handle. Should take about an hour.]]
Nova didn’t doubt him. Sam had come in person earlier–whatever it was, it must be urgent.[]
As noon approached, relatives and friends arrived one after another to celebrate Mabel’s birthday.]]
“Nova, where’s Kael?” someone asked.[]
They’d taken the time, effort, and money to come here–not just for Mabel’s birthday.[]
“He’s tied up with work right now. He’ll be here soon,” Nova explained with a faint smile, then went back to greeting guests.]]
“I heard Kael and Nova are having relationship problems. He’s keeping a woman on the side,” one relative whispered.[]
“Really? They’ve hidden it well, then. Online, it’s all stories about how in love they are. So things have fallen apart behind the scenes? No wonder Kael’s not here today.“[]
Word is he took a woman to the hospital a few days ago. Could it be an illegitimate child? No wonder Nova’s still not pregnant after all this time!“]
“How embarrassing. If it’s true, what will Nova get if they divorce? We’ve been sucking up to them for years for nothing!“]
The relatives weren’t trying to keep their voices down.]]:
Nova froze mid–step, humiliation burning through her–like her pride was being trampled underfoot.[]
I have to stop them right now–Grandma mustn’t hear this. If she does… God, no, that can’t happen. I won’t let that happen.[]
Crash!
The sound of a cup shattering came from behind her.[]
Nova’s heart jolted. She spun around to see Mabel’s face as pale as paper, her body swaying unsteadily, chest heaving violently.[]
“Grandma!” Nova rushed over in a panic, supporting Mabel. She pulled out heart medicine and helped her take it, patting her chest gently. “Grandma, Grandma…“[]
Mabel lifted a shaky hand, gripping Nova’s arm. Her aged eyes trembled. “Honey, tell me the truth… Are you and Kael really…“]
Mabel had heard everything.
The relatives who’d been gossiping froze when they saw Mabel’s heart acting up, looking flustered. “Mabel, we were just talking nonsense! Don’t take it to heart!“[]
“Who knows if that illegitimate child rumor is true anyway!“]]
“Yeah, exactly!”
Their excuses only made things worse.]
w.“]
Nova snapped at them to shut up, then helped Mabel to the lounge. “It’s not true. Kael and I are fine. Don’t listen to their nonsense… I’ll get him here right now.”
The medicine had helped Mabel calm down a little. She held Nova’s hand anxiously. “Go. Go get him back right now…” She pushed Nova, her tone firm.[]
Nova had no choice: She asked someone to keep an eye on Mabel, then left the lounge with her phone, hurrying to call Kael
She dialed again and again–but every call rang until it went to voicemail. Nova’s heart sank…]
If Keeldidn’t show up today. Mabel would never let this go
Her heart was weak, Nova didn’t even dure think about what might happen if something went wrong []
“How’s it going? Any word from Kael?” Nova’s father, Donny Hale, hurried over
He was usually busy with work, but he cared deeply about his daughter and Mabel []
Nova suddenly felt wronged, but she didn’t want to worry her family []
She forced a calm smile. “No answer yet… Ite’s probably still in a meeting
Chapter 16 Scandals Everywhere–What 11 Kael Do?
Donny hadn’t spent much time with her, but he knew his daughter too well to be fooled.[]
He sighed softly, walking over to pat her shoulder. “I’ll stay with Mom. Don’t worry.“[]
Nova’s nose tingled; she nodded quietly.[]
After Donny left, Nova clung to one last hope and called Kael again.[]
This time, it connected.[]
The background was noisy, filled with chatter and music.]
“Kael, where are you? Something’s happened here. Can you hurry over when you’re done? I’m worried about Grandma…“[]
Her voice was almost tearful. She really needed Kael to come soon…]
But a laugh came from the other end.[]
Nova’s body went rigid.[]
Sloane’s mocking voice sounded. “The Nightclub, Room 808. Come get him yourself if you want him!“]
Beep. Beep. Beep.)
The cold sound of the disconnected call stabbed at Nova’s eardrums.
She gripped her phone tightly.[]
“Still no sign of Kael? He must not care. Probably with some woman right now,” the gossiping relatives whispered again.]]
“Tell me about it. Poor Nova–she’s given him years of her life, and now she’ll end up with nothing.“[
“If Mabel finds out the truth, she’ll be furious. Who knows how much longer she’ll live?”
Nova’s hands shook as she held her phone, her face even paler.[]
She’d been with Kael from when he had nothing to when he had power and wealth.]
When his company was just starting out, she’d worked as a publicist, drinking until her stomach bleeding. She’d helped him build his business, taken care of him…[]
What had she gotten in return?
A mistress who dared to bully her to her face.
And endless mockery.[]
She never thought he’d even fail to protect her family’s dignity.[]
A thought flickered in her mind.[]
Her eyes turned red, then she turned and walked toward the exit.[]
I
When Nove arrived at The Nightclub, she saw the door was slightly ajar.[]
Even though she’d prepared herself, her heart ached like it was being pricked with needles when she saw what was inside.[]
She clapped a hand over her mouth to hold back a sob []
Inside the private room–romantic helium balloons filled the space, bright rose petals scattered across the floor… whoever had decorated it had put a lot of thought into it.[]
In the middle of the room, Kael knelt on one knee, sliding an exquisite ring onto sloane’s ring finger []
The sight stabbed at Nova’s eyes Shed seen that ring before.)
She’d noticed Karl designing it since last year it was beautiful, with an intricate design, and the sapphire was rare–one could tell how much care had gone into it
She’d thought it was a wedding anniversary gift for her []
But it was a birthday gift for Sloane!
Chapter 16 Scandals Everywhere–What I Kael Do?
Had they been together even back then? And she’d been foolishly looking forward to their anniversary, wondering what gift to get him…]]
Tears blurred Nova’s vision. She fought to hold back her sobs.[]
Kael reverently put the ring on Sloane, kissing the back of her hand. “Happy birthday, baby.”
Sloane’s face was filled with happiness–making Nova, hiding by the door, look like a clown peeking in on someone else’s joy, a complete joke…[]
Kael’s friends started hooting and yelling, “Kiss her! You can’t put a ring on her without a kiss!“[]
“Yeah, kiss her!“]
“It’s such an important day–you have to kiss her!“]
Kael smiled, standing up to cup Sloane’s face and kiss her.
Nova couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She leaned against the wall to keep from collapsing, then turned and stumbled away.[]
She crashed into a waiter by accident–sending the cake he was carrying crashing to the floor.]]
“Ah…” Nova’s wrist took the brunt of the plate’s impact–she gasped, the pain flaring up instantly.[]
Before she could recover, a tirade of scolding hit her.
“Watch out! In a hurry to die?” The waiter’s eyes filled with tears as he bent down to pick up the tray. “That cake was custom–made by Mr. Voss! Can you even afford to pay for it?
“I must have offended fate today.”
Nova apologized repeatedly. When she heard the cake was custom–made by Kael, her throat tightened, making it hard to breathe.
So it wasn’t that Kael was careless–it was that her family wasn’t as important as Sloane.[]
He was here, happily celebrating sloane’s birthday.
Her family was being mocked because of him, and Mabel had a heart attack from worrying about him.[]
*Im ruined! How am I supposed to explain this to Mr. Voss later?” the waiter fumed.]]
Nova closed her eyes in agony, ignoring the pain in her wrist as she pulled a stack of cash from her bag. “This should be enough. Later, I’ll send someone to bring another cake and explain to your manager. Will that work?“]
The waiter’s eyes lit up when he saw the money. He hesitated, then agreed–there was no better solution.
Just then, the private room door suddenly opened.[]
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