Chapter 6

On their way to the parking lot, Kaylee walked silently beside William.

As an upscale private hospital, Honor Medical Center catered to wealthy members, its parking lot filled with luxury vehicles.

Even among these, William's Bentley stood out.

A chauffeur sat in front.

Kaylee instinctively reached for the door handle.

Before she could touch it, William's elegant hand caught her wrist.

"I don't let ladies serve me," he said, opening the door himself and gesturing for her to enter.

"Sorry," Kaylee quickly slipped in.

These years with Alex had trained her to do everything herself.

Once seated, she immediately pulled out a small velvet pouch from her bag and handed it to William beside her.

"What's this?"

William took the pouch and pulled out a small white cloth. Unfolding it revealed his cufflink, perfectly preserved.

"My friend said the stone was valuable," Kaylee explained. "I wrapped it carefully to prevent damage."

William rewrapped the cufflink. "I don't have your scarf with me. I'll return it another time."

"Please don't bother. It wasn't expensive - you can dispose of it."

Kaylee wanted more than just to forget the scarf.

She planned to borrow money from Wendy after Anne's discharge to repay Susanne, then cut ties with the Morgans completely.

Her mother had been their housekeeper. While they'd kindly provided housing and education, repaying them was only right.

But...

She couldn't marry Alex, couldn't sacrifice the rest of her life.

William turned to her. "Don't call me Mr. Morgan. William is fine, or just Will."

"But you're Alex's uncle, I..."

"What, planning to call me Uncle like he does?"

Kaylee was about to make an excuse when his words stopped her.

William fingered the carefully wrapped cufflink, a slight smile playing on his lips. "It's a long drive to the mansion. Think about it."

"I... I'll call you William," Kaylee quickly decided.

At Honor Medical Center, Susanne waited until Kaylee left before calling Alex.

"Mom..."

"I've asked Kaylee to stay at the mansion with me. Get rid of that woman at your place! Once Grandma Anne is discharged, I'm arranging your engagement to Kaylee!"

Susanne laid out her plans. She hated how her son failed to appreciate someone as wonderful as Kaylee!

"Mom, I will marry Kaylee, but not now," Alex tried to explain. "These past years, she's always angry, moody, giving me attitude. She's just a housekeeper's daughter - she shouldn't even be in my league. She gets the best of everything with me, yet she's ungrateful. If I don't teach her a lesson, I'll be dealing with her attitude for life!"

Susanne was furious. "You brought another woman home and you blame her for giving your attitude?!”

"Those others were just for fun. But Lucy - I really like her. Her family's well-off too. Wouldn't she make a better daughter-in-law than Kaylee?"

Alex had grown increasingly fond of Lucy lately.

He loved how she wore sexy lingerie to please him.

How she acted cute and vulnerable.

How she was always available, eagerly waiting for him to come home.

Things Kaylee never did.

Despite her exceptional beauty, he felt no desire for her. In four years of dating, they hadn't even kissed, let alone been intimate.

"Lucy Kingston? The real estate developer's daughter? Their family's declined," Susanne snapped. "With William running things, we don't need business marriages. I just want you to marry a good girl, focus on your career, and not worry about household matters!"

Knowing his mother's fondness for Kaylee, Alex placated her. "Mom, I'll break up with Lucy next month and win Kaylee back."

"Next month? Don't bother! I'll find Kaylee someone else."

Susanne hung up, exasperated with her son.

Alex and Lucy were in the car together. She'd heard everything.

Tears welled in her eyes. "You're breaking up with me next month?"

"Just appeasing my mom," Alex wrapped his arm around her waist. "I don't like Kaylee - Mom does. She insists I marry her, but I'd never marry a housekeeper's daughter."

Lucy nestled against him, her expression turning coy.

Alex loved how easily pleased Lucy was.

Unlike Kaylee.

Too clever.

Always catching the contradictions in his words.

What Alex didn't know was that reporters had been following him and Lucy since they left.

Within two hours of their lunch, photos appeared in an obscure corner of online news.

Such minor news usually went unnoticed.

Yet William's assistant caught it immediately and reported in.

"Confirmed - the Kingston family hired the photographers themselves."

"The Kingstons have several troubled investments, correct?" William asked.

"Yes. Their mid-year financial report will likely show major issues. They're probably trying to secure ties with the Morgan family to reassure their shareholders."

"Perfect. Pretend we didn't see it," William paused. "Arrange dinner with Alex, and check Mr. Kingston's schedule - book the same restaurant."

The assistant looked puzzled. "Sir?"

"Alex seems quite fond of Miss Kingston. As his uncle, I should help," William glanced at the carefully wrapped cufflink on his desk. "Handle it quickly."

-

That evening, Susanne joined Kaylee for dinner at the mansion.

As the housekeeper served, Susanne smiled warmly. "Kaylee, these are all your favorites."

Kaylee looked at the spread.

They were all Alex's favorites.

Living under their roof, she'd never expressed her own preferences.

For years, she'd claimed to love whatever Alex loved.

Eventually, everyone assumed their tastes were identical.

Not wanting to disappoint Susanne's kindness, Kaylee simply said, "Thank you, Aunt Susanne."

Susanne placed a large shrimp in Kaylee's bowl. "Dear, you and Alex aren't getting any younger. Perhaps it's time to think about engagement?"

Kaylee froze mid-air.

Biting her lip gently, she looked up at Susanne, hesitating before finally saying, "Aunt Susanne, Mr. Morgan and I have broken up."