?Chapter 14:


    Ellie couldn’t help but wonder why Kaiden always brought up Erick.


    She quickly connected the dots. Despite Erick being Kaiden’s nephew and only a few years his junior, the two were oftenpared due to their simr ages. Plus, with Erick being the son of Kaiden’s eldest brother, a sense of rivalry was almost inevitable.


    Shaking her head, Ellie spoke earnestly. “I’m not sure about Erick’s… situation, but I doubt it’s anything to boast about.”


    Considering Erick’s notorious flings with numerous women, his cleanliness was questionable.


    Her face, unbeknownst to her, disyed clear disdain.


    Kaiden, pulling his gaze away, felt an unacknowledged sense of gratification.


    Upon arriving at Moon Manor, Kaiden asked Bruce to remain.


    “Why was she at Rich Bar? What’s your take on it?” Kaiden inquired.


    “Are you referring to Miss Curtis or Mrs. Thorpe?” Bruce asked, receiving a sharp look from Kaiden.


    Realizing his mistake, Bruce quickly corrected himself. “You mean Mrs. Thorpe, right? Miss Curtis is a well-known socialite. If Mrs. Thorpe, who’s more reserved, was at Rich Bar, it’s probably because of Miss Curtis.”


    Kaiden eyed Bruce skeptically. “Did you bribe someone to pass your IQ?”


    He wondered how Bruce, with such simple thinking, had managed to score the highest IQ among the orphans and catch his attention.


    Everyone knew about the close bond between Baylee and Ellie. Could Baylee’s words bepletely trusted?


    Moreover, if Ellie really was a demuredy, how could she possess exceptional dice skills?


    Bruce remained silent, unsure of how to respond.


    Despite Bruce’s confidence in his intellect, Kaiden’s remark had stung.


    “Look into how often Ellie goes to Rich Bar,” Kaiden instructed. “And have that ce investigated.”


    “Yes, sir,” Bruce replied.


    Kaiden had a suspicion. Ellie, seemingly docile, was perhaps not as simple as she appeared.


    Ellie’s gown arrived at Moon Manor’s security office the day before the Fashion Ceremony.


    Cayson, on the phone with the security office, reported to Kaiden, “Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Thorpe’s gown is at the entrance.” He nced at Kaiden, waiting for a response.


    Kaiden, absorbed in a merger contract, looked up at Cayson. His face seemed to say, “Should I get it for her?”


    Cayson instructed the guards to bring in the gown and exined, “Mr. Thorpe, since you just got married, it’s not exactly clear to us how you regard her. So we aren’t sure how to treat her.”


    Kaiden, still preupied with the contract, nced up. “How I regard her?” he echoed, a hint of surprise in his tone.


    Cayson borated, “After the wedding, you sent Mrs. Thorpe away and threw away her gown. And she’s been taking taxis recently. It’s led to some… spection.”


    Bruce, sorting papers nearby, couldn’t help but add, “And, Mr. Thorpe, you did leave her on the road earlier.”


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