Chapter 781

Zoe’s story was nothing but an enormous lie, yet he was even more laughable than her. At least Zoe

knew that it was a lie from the start, but he had believed her story up until now.

“Avery Tate, why would you do this to me?” Elliot mumbled as he quietly sobbed, “why?”

All he received in response was the sound of the wind blowing.

On the way home, Layla muttered in confusion, “why isn‘t Dad happy when he finds out that Mom was

the one who performed surgeries on Shea?”

“Layla, would you be mad if your brother lies to you?” Mike tried to explain with a metaphor.” Your dad

wouldn‘t have been upset if he had known about it all along.”

“Why didn‘t Mom tell him, then?”

“Because your mom didn‘t want anything to do with him at first. She was afraid that if she gets involved

with him, he would come and take you and your brother away from her. By the time their relationship

improved, it was too long in the past for her to mention.”

Layla still seemed slightly confused by Mike‘s explanation.

“The adults‘ world is so complicated!”

“Yeah! Which is why people like Shea are actually rather lucky.” Mike glanced at Layla and said, “your

eyes are all swollen now. I thought that you had a rehearsal tonight?”

“It‘s a rehearsal, not the official live performance.” Layla rubbed her eyes and it hurt a little.” After the

show, I want to go find Mom.”

“Sure.”

In the evening, Avery made a video call to them.

It was seven in the morning in Bridgedale and that was usually the time they video called one another.

“Shea has been buried and Layla has gone off to attend the rehearsal for the night ball.” Mike and

Hayden stood before the camera in the video call with Avery.

“Layla told Elliot that you were the one who performed surgeries on Shea and he was really emotional

as though he had been struck.”

Avery remained silent.

“Did he contact you?” Mike asked.

“No.” Avery drew a quiet deep breath and changed the subject.

“Layla’s classmate’s mother contacted me saying that her child will be having a birthday celebration

soon, would like to invite Layla as a guest. That child seems to be quite close with Layla so if you have

time tomorrow, take Layla over. If you are busy, tell the bodyguard to send her.”

“Oh, I‘m busy tomorrow. I will tell the bodyguard to send her there, then.”

“Sure.” Avery turned her attention to Hayden. “Hayden, do you have class tomorrow?”

Hayden nodded.

“What do you learn in the special classes?” Avery hadn‘t a clue about what Hayden was studying, as it

was a completely different field as her profession.

Hayden briefly went through the content of his curriculum and Avery complimented him as she often

did, “you are so brilliant, darling. I am so proud of you.”

It was a simple complement, but Hayden felt especially proud.

After the video call, Mike looked at the time and said, “why don‘t we go shop? You mom said that Layla

will be celebrating her classmate‘s birthday tomorrow, so let‘s go get a gift.”

Hayden didn‘t like going out at night and rejected his suggestion.

“Go find Uncle Chad for that!”

“Alright! Layla will get home a little late tonight, so you can go ahead and sleep first if you get tired.

Don‘t wait up,” Mike reminded.

“I will be out late as well.”

“Okay.”

The next day, Layla arrived at her classmate’s home with a present accompanied by the bodyguard. As

the living room was packed with children, the owner of the house invited the bodyguard to a poker

game in the multi–function room.

After playing with the others for a while, Layla slowly developed the urge to relieve herself, so she

headed to the bathroom.

A woman followed her inside.

Layla, who didn‘t want to be watched as she used the bathroom, said, “Auntie, I don‘t need help.”

The woman locked the door from the inside and said, “go ahead and use the bathroom first, Layla. I

came in because I needed to ask you something.”