?Chapter 187:


    “Have you been dealing with somethingtely?”


    Caiden barely nced up from his game.


    “Hmm?”


    “I haven’t forgotten how you were once so sure about Alexander and Joyce, iming they were perfect for each other, like it was written in the stars.”


    It had been days since she had heard Caiden refer to Dani as a disgrace.


    “Really?” Caiden’s response was nonchnt.


    “I still believe they’re suited for each other. But with Mom here now, it seems wise to go along with her wishes.”


    Katrina had never considered Caiden particrly devoted or dutiful.


    In her younger days, Peyton had been a forceful personality with little time for nurturing her children. Despite outward appearances of closeness, Katrina sensed the children’s affections were superficial at best.


    She was keenly aware of the emotional distance.


    Lately, Katrina had even grown suspicious of Caiden’s frequent use of his phone, fearing he might be involved in an affair.


    However, her investigations revealed that Caiden’s most significant phone expense wasn’t for ndestine meetings but for online chess games. Ultimately, it was Caiden who arranged for Alexander to visit, ostensibly for Peyton.


    As Alexander was about to enter, Katrina sped his hand urgently. Her expression was anything but serene as she implored, “Alexander, my mother-inw is inside. Just respond to her questions, and remember, there’s no need to be nervous or speak without thinking, alright?”


    Pulling his hand gently from her grasp, Alexander responded with measured coolness, “Understood.”


    I??€$? ￠??t??я? ?η ga?n?νεl?.c??


    Feeling the absence of his hand, Katrina experienced a pang of emptiness.


    Upon his entry, Peyton greeted him with uncharacteristic warmth.


    “Alexander!”


    Taking a seat, Alexander acknowledged her with a nod.


    “It’s good to see you, Mrs. Harper.”


    Peyton, her face etched with deep lines of age, suddenly beamed a wide smile.


    “Alexander, you see, I invited you here because I want to know if you still harbor any feelings for Dani.”


    Alexander caught a glimpse of Katrina, who was covertly signaling him with winks.


    Richard had vaguely mentioned some urgent business earlier; however, Alexander waspletely unprepared for such a personal question.


    Caiden strode into the room with a tter of fruits, cing it on the center table, casting a meaningful nce at Alexander.


    “Nothing deeper to it. We’re simply asking,” Caiden remarked, extending an apple toward Alexander.


    Without a word, Alexander kept his thoughts to himself.


    Impatience crept into Peyton’s tone.


    “Speak, won’t you? Without your words, how am I to assist you?”


    Peyton, always charmed by the unpolished honesty of country people, found herself quite taken with Alexander.


    Her expression softened into a gentle, encouraging smile.


    .


    .


    .