Chapter 117
Chapter 117:
As Kailey stared at the messages on her screen, she noticed how calm she felt. Ryan and Olivia were already together. An engagement like that hardly came as a surprise.
After spacing out for a brief moment, she closed the chat and removed Ryan’s number from her blacklist, wondering whether she should send her congratulations. Before she could decide, his previous texts filled the screen.
“Kailey, I don’t have endless patience, so don’t keep testing me p>
“If you’re set on stirring trouble, then go ahead. Let’s see how long you can keep it up p>
The latest message, sent two days earlier, caught her off guard.
“You’re having your period soon. Stay away from food that could upset your body, and make sure you prepare what you’ll need ahead of time. If you don’t, you’ll regret it when the pain hits p>
For a brief moment, Kailey froze, then steadied herself. To Ryan, she was nothing more than his niece, and this was simply an uncle showing concern. She rubbed her fingers together, hesitated, and ultimately chose not to reply.
𝗡𝗼𝘃𝘦𝗅𝘴 𝘪𝗇 𝗍r𝘦nd 𝗈ո 𝗴a𝗅ո𝗈𝘃е𝗅ѕ.𝘤𝗼𝗺
Instead, she reopened the group chat and typed: “Of course I know about my uncle getting engaged. Seriously, as my closest friends, shouldn’t your congratulations be pouring in by now p>
Once she joined in, the conversation immediately picked up again.
Carlos, who had recently stepped into the family business, mentioned that he had dealings with Owen Group. The following day, during a formal meeting, he finally came face-to-face with Kailey’s much-talked-about uncle.
After they exited the conference room, Darrell Craig, Carlos’s father, glanced at him and asked in a low voice, “You couldn’t take your eyes off Mr. Owen back there. Have you met him before p>
A smile tugged at Carlos’s lips, dimples appearing as he answered, “I have p>
When Ryan glanced his way, Carlos spoke up with a polite smile. “I’m a friend of Kailey’s. She told us about your upcoming engagement, Mr. Owen. I’m wishing you and your girlfriend a lifetime filled with happiness p>
Silence settled over Ryan as a sharp furrow carved itself between his brows.
Reading the taut mood, Darrell leaned closer and discreetly bumped Carlos’s arm. “If Mr. Owen is going to get engaged, he’ll say it himself p>
Puzzlement flickered openly across Carlos’s face. “But it’s trending everywhere online. Nobody would post something like that without his approval.” Deep down, though, he understood exactly who would have the nerve. Olivia.
Watching the dark clouds gather in Ryan’s expression, Carlos realized the man truly had no idea. The realization amused him more than it should have. A subtle, knowing curve touched his mouth as he lifted his hands in mock surrender. “My mistake. Those gossip blogs must be spinning out of control again. I should have waited for an official statement from you, Mr. Owen p>
Rather than take the bait, Ryan smoothly shifted the subject. “You still keep in touch with Kailey p>
“Occasionally. Everyone’s busy chasing their own path p>