Chapter 78 Unworthy
"Daphne probably doesn't need Carla's care anymore," Austin Hill said casually, taking Carla's hand as if to leave.
Evan Winston offered a slight smile, "Please, feel free."
With a nod, Austin seemed to have completed the pleasantries. But as he was about to lead Carla out, she suddenly pulled away, instinctively moving closer to Evan, "You go ahead. Daphne and I have some things to discuss."
She knew Austin's intent all too well—if she left with him, he'd surely drive straight to the clinic.
"Austin," he warned, calling her by name.
"I'll come back after talking with Daphne," Carla reassured him, "You go ahead with your business."
Austin's eyes darkened. He didn't care that Evan was there; he was determined to take her to terminate the pregnancy.
"I told you, I'm not going with you!" Carla struggled.
Austin ignored her and clutched her wrist even harder.
Evan stepped in, easing the tension, "Austin, if Carla wants to talk to Daphne a bit more, why not let her stay? They rarely meet."
"I welcome Daphne to visit my home," Austin said, intent on leaving, "But today, Carla must come with me."
As he spoke, he tried to remove Evan's hand from his own. But what he expected to be an easy task proved difficult. Evan's grip was immovable.
Austin was questioning his life choices—how could someone have such strength?
"Let them talk, what do you say,Austin?" Evan maintained Austin's dignity, his smile suggesting a compromise.
Austin's gaze deepened, but he eventually let go of Carla's hand, and Evan also released his.
Austin glanced at him, his inscrutable eyes landing on Carla, "Let me know when you're done talking to Daphne. I'll wait for you."
"No need," Carla refused.
Austin ignored her, heading to Rex Lancelot's room to inquire about the gathering and why Evan, the sly fox, had been invited.
He didn't anticipate finding Rex and Charles Lancelot locked in a standoff.
"What's this?" Austin was puzzled.
Both men glanced at him, their silent stares asking, "What do you want?"
Austin sat on a couch, not pressing the issue.
Rex was about to question why he'd been thrown to the floor but then remembered the commotion he'd overheard, and his curiosity flared, "Were you just arguing with a woman?"
"Are you deaf?" Austin was fuming.
If Rex hadn't invited Evan, would he be suffering this much?
Before Rex could reply, Charles Lancelot, always quick to defend, retorted, "You're the one who's deaf."
"What's your problem, Charles Lancelot?" Austin's temper rose, "Did Rex do something to you?"
Charles Lancelot remained silent, but his stance was clear: only he could rebuke Rex.
"Fine, I won't argue," Austin conceded, knowing Charles temperament, "But I don't understand. Why invite Evan to our gathering? To annoy me?"
At that, Charles's gaze shifted to Rex.
It wasn't to annoy him, but to make him uncomfortable.
"Come on, I didn't like hearing that." Rex stood up, brushing off his pants. He was genuinely untroubled. "You were eager to join the gathering when invited, weren't you?"
Austin was silent. How could he have known Carla would be there?
"Were you arguing with Carla?" Charles Lancelot guessed, observing Austin's mood.
Austin remained silent, and Rex showed little reaction.
"She's Daphne's friend. Daphne wanted her here, and Evan invited her." Charles explained, understanding what mattered to Austin, "There's nothing between her and Evan."
Charles had been present during Evan's call to Carla, their initial conversation no different from strangers.
"I know," Austin's expression was still sour.
Charles and Rex were confused. Why was he so upset here?
"When we leave, if Carla wants to ride with you, remember to refuse," Austin instructed, "Let Matt know, and block Evan too."
"What do you mean?" Charles pressed, visibly annoyed.
His dreams from the previous night haunted him, making him suspect Daphne's life after their divorce was like those visions.
Austin's usually sly face held no smile, just a flat statement. "Carla can only ride in my car."
The Charles brothers were taken aback, treating him as if he were flaunting a romance.
Charles Lancelot spared no mercy, "Get lost!"
Austin chuckled, and ignored the insult.
The three remained in the room until around eight when Daphne finally came downstairs, followed by Ling Samuel Lowell with tousled hair.
Once everyone was present, Rex brought out breakfast, but the atmosphere at the table was strange.
Charles Lancelot kept glancing at Daphne, his mood palpable.
Rex observed him and then Daphne, who seemed utterly oblivious, immersed in her meal, unaffected by the tension.
Austin, sitting far from Carla, put down his chopsticks and spoke, "Didn't you have something to discuss with Daphne? Why not speak up?"
"What is it?" Daphne asked, looking sideways at her.
"It's nothing," Carla internally dismantled Austin, forcing a light smile, "I was just wondering about names for the baby. I've been thinking, but nothing good comes to mind."
Daphne wanted to suggest asking the child's father but remembered Carla's words and frowned.
That kind of scum didn't deserve it.
"I'll think about it when I get back and send you some ideas," Daphne promised, serious about her commitments, "Don't worry about it for now. The baby's months away, there's no rush."
Carla agreed.
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