Chapter 77 Childhood Friends and Misunderstandings
Daphne's parting words, followed by a kiss to the pretty boy's cheek, jolted Charles Lancelot awake.
Annoyed, he checked the time—only 5 AM. Rubbing his tired brow, he grabbed his coat and stormed into Rex Lancelot's room. Without a second thought, he dumped Rex from the bed and took his place, finally finding some semblance of peace.
Meanwhile, Rex, lying on the floor in confusion, wondered why he was there. But fatigue soon took over, and he fell asleep on the plush carpet, which wasn't so bad.
The next morning, Carla was the first to stir. She dressed and descended the stairs, her pregnancy making her unusually wakeful.
While responding to messages in the living room, a displeased and icy voice startled her, "What are you doing here?"
Carla looked up to see Austin Hill and instinctively stood up, flustered.
"I was..." she started, but his stern face reminded her of his earlier demands.
"You've got some nerve, showing up at a private gathering," Austin Hill misunderstood, his chilly presence closing in. "Are you here for Charles Lancelot, Evan Winston, or Rex Lancelot?"
"I was asked by Evan to take care..." Carla tried to explain.
But Austin's temper flared. "He asks and you just show up? Spent the night in his room?"
"No," Carla tried to clarify, eager to avoid any misunderstanding, "He asked me to take care of..."
"Did you terminate the pregnancy?" Austin cut her off, his gaze cold and pressure suffocating.
Carla stiffened, taking a step back.
"So you didn't."
Carla retreated, standing her ground, "This is my child, you have no right to demand that."
"When you cheated, did you think about that?" Austin's voice was laced with scorn, devoid of warmth, "I'll personally take you to get it done. Don't bother threatening me with suicide again; it won't work."
She panicked, "You wouldn't dare!"
"Watch me," he threatened, a different man from the one who mingled with Charles and the others.
"If you touch my child, I'll hate you forever!" Carla blurted, knowing her words held no sway over him.
Austin's heart twinged, but his face remained cold, his smirk cruel, "Hate me if you want, but I won't keep this bastard."
As he reached for his phone to arrange the procedure, Carla's heart raced with fear. She knew there was no escape from Austin Hill's decisions.
In this secluded villa, there was no one to help her, and she couldn't involve Daphne Murphy again, not after what Charles had done to her.
"Will I have to tie you up, or will you get in the car yourself?" Austin's every step was a weight on Carla's heart, her fear urging her to flee.
"You can't force me to abort my child." she pleaded, her hands trembling, "This child is yours!"
Austin scoffed.
His mocking gaze belied his touch on her cool cheek, "I was abroad when you conceived, how could it be mine?"
Tears welled in Carla's eyes as she bit her lip.
"Just get rid of it, and stay by my side quietly from now on. I'll give you everything you want, even fame," Austin's voice softened as he wiped away her tears.
Carla shook her head. She didn't want fame or to stay by his side; she just wanted her child.
"Be good," Austin coaxed like a devil. "Let's go to the hospital."
"I won't," Carla refused, her heart pounding with unprecedented fear.
Austin's hand still felt the warmth of her skin, and said "Don't make me."
Their standoff was interrupted by Evan Winston's arrival downstairs.
Sensing the tension, he casually asked, "How's Daphne?"
"She was still asleep when I woke up." Carla replied calmly, a plan forming in her mind.
Austin glanced between them, realizing Carla was there for Daphne Murphy at Evan's request.
What was Charles thinking, he didn’t want to take care of his own wife?
"Thanks for last night," Evan said, the picture of a polite gentleman.
"It was nothing," Carla responded flatly.
Austin got jealous again.
What did she mean by that? What was her relationship with Evan Winston, that she'd come to care for a stranger like Daphne Murphy at his mere suggestion?
"The rumors say Evan shuns the company of women, but apparently, he has many close female friends," Austin remarked sarcastically, his eyes deep with implication.
Evan was puzzled, while Carla silently fumed.
Austin probed further, "How did you come to know Evan?"
Evan, sharp as ever, saw through Austin's jealousy, "Carla is Daphne's friend, naturally, they met through her."
Austin paused. Carla and Daphne Murphy were friends?
"Don't tell me Austin didn't know Carla and Daphne are friends?" Evan said, and continued stoking the fire with a calm voice.
"Of course, I did." Austin lied smoothly, "I just didn't realize Evan's circle was so... unique. Have you met all of Daphne Murphy's friends?"
"Pretty much." Evan smiled slightly, "I grew up with Daphne, childhood friends. We know each other's friends."
Except Carla, who was a friend Daphne made later on.
Austin was left wondering how Evan could speak so easily, wishing he could see what went on in that head of his.
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