Chapter 166

Cain seemed to be entertaining a client, and the background noise was a testament to that. Still, hemanaged to say, “Hold on a moment, please.”

After a while, he stepped out of the private booth and addressed the situation, “Mr. Latham, you justmentioned that Leila was deliberately stopping Merry from having water?”

Latham nodded in confirmation, “Yes.”

Cain furrowed his brow, puzzled, “That doesn’t sound like Leila. She’s always been so caringtowards Merry. Could it have been well–intentioned?”

Latham let out a sigh, “Look, Mr. Jordan, I’m calling you instead of her mom because I thoughtyou’d be a bit more level–headed about this.”

He continued with a grave tone, “I’ve known Merry for two and a half years. Despite her rebelliousstreak, dyeing her hair, and skipping classes, she really hasn’t done anything bad. Think about it, isshe really a’s mischievous as you folks make her out to be?”

Cain was taken aback.

Latham went on, “You have two daughters, twins, but Merry has always been hostile towards Leila.And remember the time Leila falsely accused Merry of stealing money? Leila did that on purpose. IsLeila truly as perfect as you think?”

Cain instinctively countered, “Leila said that Merry was pushing her too far, and she just wantedMerry to switch schools so they wouldn’t be together.”

Latham immediately retorted, “Pushing her how? From what I know, unless provoked, Merry nevergoes out of her way to bother her.”

He continued slowly, “Merry is a good kid. She’d rather suffer herself than let those who care abouther go through any pain. Today, I saw clearly, the malice in Leila’s eyes when she was giving Merrywater. I hope you’ll take Leila’s psychological well–being seriously.”

At the pasta shop, Cordelia had her pasta and glanced over at Everard. After observing him for abit, she asked, “Why aren’t you eating? Just watching me?”

Everard took a sip of his soda and said nonchalantly, “I can be full of love alone.”

Cordelia quietly munched on a piece of beef, letting his flirtatious words sink in.

Their interaction was everyday and peaceful, and one ate while the other simply watched,occasionally taking a bite, yet it felt warm and comfortable.

Meanwhile, Merry’s eyes were wide with disbelief as she stared at the masked figure across fromher.

Although he was well–covered, revealing only his eyes, Merry kept her gaze fixed on him as if 11:23 missing a moment would be a loss.

With her pasta in hand, she sat down across from Bland, greeting him nervously, “Bland, whatbrings you here?”

Bland was momentarily surprised, as Merry no longer called him “honey“, then the corners of hiseyes crinkled in what appeared to be a smile.

He shifted to make room for her, took off his mask, revealing a strikingly handsome face, and thenslowly said, “I heard you ran into some trouble, so I came to check on you.”

At his words, Merry nearly burst into tears.

Her heart felt suddenly full, warmed through and through, as if a gentle hand were soothing hersoul, coaxing a smile, “Thank you.”

Bland stretched out his clean, slender fingers and gently wiped away her tears, “What’s there tothank me for? You’ve been ignoring my texts, why is that?”

Merry’s phone had been confiscated during her school week.

When she got it back and saw Bland’s messages, she didn’t know how to respond. Now, as shelooked at Bland and then at Cordelia, she felt like with these two in her life, no obstacle was too great.

Her eyes rimmed with tears, she offered her pasta to Bland, “Bland, you haven’t had lunch yet, haveyou? Here, take this.”

Bland looked slightly surprised.

Realizing what she had done, Merry quickly tried to take it back, “I’ve already had a bite of this one,and I’ll order you a fresh one.”

Bland was the light that kept her from despair, someone she cherished deeply, and she couldn’t let her idol eat leftovers.

Just as she was about to call the waiter, Bland took the burger back, saying, “It’s not about that.”

After that, he took a bite from Merry’s pasta.

Merry was shocked.

After a couple of bites, Bland stopped, “My latest film role, the director’s got me on a diet, so I canonly have a few bites.”

Merry became indignant, “You’re already so slim, why diet? That director’s being ridiculous.”

She pouted her lips, then checked something on her phone, and suddenly stood up, “Wait here for asecond.”

She dashed out the door and returned five minutes later with an assortment of vitamin supplements,handing them to Bland, “You can’t keep up nutritionally without food, so take 11:23 these vitamins daily.”

Bland was speechless. He looked at her with a smile and a playful lift of his lips, “Alright then.”

Seeing him accept the vitamins, Merry beamed with joy, like a child praised for doing somethingright.

Bland pushed the burger back to her, “I’m done with it. You gonna finish it or want a new one?”

Merry’s eyes sparkled, “I’ll finish it.”

Then, a bit embarrassed, she added, “I’m paying for this meal, so let’s not waste money.”

Bland laughed at her words, unaware that his laughter was healing Merry too.

Listening to the laughter beside her and watching Merry fawning over Bland, Everard sighed deeplyand turned his gaze back to Cordelia, who was still enjoying her pasta.

When would Cordelia treat him with the same eagerness as Merry did Bland?

Such a sorrowful thought.

After finishing their meals, they left the diner. At the school gates, Merry looked at Bland withlonging, “Bland, do you have to go already?”

Bland nodded, patting her head, “Yeah, the crew’s waiting. I only got the day off.”

Merry sighed.

But Bland added, “Remember to reply to my texts.”

“Will do,” she promised.

When Everard glanced at Cordelia and mentioned he’d be leaving as well with the unfilteredhonesty only a child possesses, simply nodded and said, “Okay, bye then.”

And with that, Cordelia spun on her heel and marched toward the school without a second thought.

Everard couldn’t help but scowl as he watched Merry glance back over her shoulder several times,in stark contrast to that determined Cordelia striding away without a backward glance.

Soon enough, the school day wrapped up.

Leila stood there, her gaze following Merry and Cordelia as they hopped into the sleek Delaneyfamily SUV, a tinge of sadness clouding her eyes. She shook it off as she stepped into the Jordanfamily minivan, ready to be whisked away home.

The moment she walked through the front door, she sensed something was off. Not only wasPaulina there, which wasn’t unusual, but even Cain, who was typically buried in work at the office,was at home. And the vibe was tense.

A little bewildered, Leila greeted them and was about to head upstairs when Cain’s voice 11:24 stopped her in her tracks, “Leila, hold on a second. We need to talk to you.”

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