Chapter 302
Chapter 302:
The idea of Kyson worrying about public ridicule felt oddly amusing. A quiet laugh slipped from Kailey as the image formed in her mind, warmth blooming behind her eyes.
Their chatter faded naturally, and before long the car rolled to a smooth stop outside the restaurant. Elegant lighting and carefully arranged décor blended sleek modern lines with faint traditional accents, filling the space with a cozy, harmonious charm. Discreet private rooms lined the interior, promising guests a sense of seclusion and comfort.
Kyson had arranged everything in advance, and barely a minute after they settled into their seats, a polite knock sounded at the door before the waiter stepped inside.
Almost instinctively, Kailey lifted her gaze and caught a fleeting glimpse of a familiar silhouette slipping past the doorway behind him. Her brows knitted as doubt flickered through her.
“What’s on your mind?” Kyson asked.
“Nothing.” Kailey took a sip of water, trying to steady herself while brushing the thought aside. “I thought I saw Ryan, but I’m probably imagining it. Olivia said she couldn’t reach him, so there’s no way he’d be here.” Coincidences like that hardly ever happened.
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A subtle glint passed through Kyson’s gaze — contemplative yet restrained — and he chose not to comment.
To her surprise, every dish matched her preferences perfectly, and without realizing it, Kailey kept eating until the plates were nearly cleared. Setting her fork down with a small exhale, she murmured, “I’m full. I’m going to the restroom for a minute p>
Once her appetite was satisfied, a gentle ease settled over her mood, smoothing away the earlier tension.
On the way down the softly lit corridor, she slowed to admire the décor. After using the bathroom, she rinsed her hands beneath the warm stream of water and patted them dry with a paper towel.
The instant the crumpled towel dropped into the bin, her gaze lifted — and her reflection caught something behind her, freezing her in place.
“Uncle Ryan p>
Half-hidden where the overhead lights failed to reach, Ryan stood motionless, his features swallowed by shadow as if the night itself had wrapped around him, intensifying the icy severity radiating from his still silhouette.
Several seconds passed before he finally moved closer, faint light uncovering his aloof expression. “Are you happy now p>
Instinctively, Kailey edged back half a step. With nowhere left to go, her trembling palms flattened against the sink for support. “Why are you here p>
His gaze hardened. “Why won’t you respond to what I asked p>
Respond to what? That she was happy? Kailey pressed her lips together and said nothing.
Through her lowered lashes, she watched his shoe advance across the tiled floor. A frigid note entered his tone. “You seem to have forgotten that, aside from your surname, you’ve belonged to the Owen family for quite a while now p>
Tension surged through her body as her fingers curled into tight fists. No words rose to defend her. The Owen family had treated her with extraordinary kindness — adopting her, raising her. That fact was undeniable.