Chapter 81
Jessa didn't want to burn bridges with Cleo. Cutting ties with her would make her chances of marrying into the Morgan family even slimmer.
Although things with Levi probably couldn't be fixed, Cleo could have at least been on her side. But what was said today was enough to see each other's true colors.
"Why wouldn't I let you leave? Go ahead, all of you."
Jessa smiled bitterly. "But I'll prove my innocence."
"So much nonsense, talking about proving your innocence."
Cleo walked past her, not forgetting to glare at her.
Michael squinted his eyes. When he heard Jessa say she'd prove her innocence, a sly look flashed across his face.
"Cleo, don't get angry with someone who talks nonsense. I really thought she was your friend, but I really didn't pick up Hayden."
Michael kept up his act, trying to clear himself.
"Levi, sorry for the trouble today. We have a nanny at home, but your sister never trusts them, so she bothers Blair." Michael said with a smile.
"If you need help babysitting Hayden in the future, just bring him directly to me. Blair works at someone else's company and doesn't have flexible hours."
Levi meant that if they needed help with the kid in the future, they should bring him directly to Levi, and he'd take care of him.
"It won't happen again. Your sister has plenty of time and can take care of the child herself unless something special comes up, right, Cleo?"
Michael called out Cleo by name. She looked embarrassed but had to nod.
"I won't see you out. I need to rest."
Jessa interrupted our conversation, which made us realize we were still at her place. That was indeed a bit rude.
"Levi, bye."
Despite everything, despite Levi not saying a word in her defense, Jessa still said goodbye to him, her eyes showing both unwillingness and grievance.
I didn't know what Levi's attitude toward me would be if I had actually lost Hayden today. Would he blow up at me? Would he leave me to face the world alone?
"That's hilarious."
As we left, Cleo couldn't resist one more jab.
I was very confused tonight. I couldn't seem to understand the connections. I felt like Jessa didn't intentionally take Hayden away - it wasn't her.
It was just that Michael insisted he didn't take the child.
If Jessa wanted to clear herself, why didn't she blame someone else? Why specifically Michael, knowing he's Hayden's father, and it would be easy to expose?
The four of us got downstairs, and Levi spoke first.
"You guys take the kid back first. If you really can't handle it, I'll find someone to help."
"No need, we have servants at home. Today's incident was probably a misunderstanding. I think Cleo's friend probably just went to your place and saw Hayden, and maybe she still has feelings for you."
I had to say, Michael didn't seem very scheming, but his mind was quite sharp. In just a few words, he subtly conveyed that his family didn't need Levi to send someone over, while also pushing the matter toward the idea that Jessa still had feelings for Levi.
"It's getting late, I have things at home, so let's leave it at that."
Someone had to wrap things up, so let it be me. I didn't like them going in circles - better to just disperse and everyone go home.
I opened the car door, and Hayden got out. He looked fearfully at Cleo and Michael. This matter probably wasn't over for the three of them.
After they got home, I couldn't imagine how Hayden would be interrogated.
I felt sympathy but was afraid of causing more trouble. I didn't know if Levi would agree to bring Hayden back to our house. The timing really wasn't appropriate either.
Levi and I watched their car speed away.
He turned around. "Let's go, let's go home."
"You get in the car first. I drove here earlier. I'll drive myself back." I had left in a hurry and wore too little, trying hard not to shiver.
Levi held out his hand. "Car keys."
"Hm?"
"I'll drive." Levi wanted to drive my car again?
I handed him the keys, and he turned and gave them to the driver. "You drive."
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Was my "little junker" not fitting his image?
It was really too cold, so I got straight in the car.
To avoid awkwardness, I kept my eyes closed the whole way, pretending to sleep.
...
As soon as we got out of the car, we saw Indigo pacing around the yard. I forgot to tell her the child had been found, leaving her still worried.
Indigo ran over. "Mrs. Morgan, did you find the child?"
"Yes, he was at Jessa's place."
"Oh, I was really too careless today. I'll definitely be more careful from now on. I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble." Indigo was very remorseful.
I smiled. "This isn't entirely your fault. No one expected something like this to happen."
The child was found, but we still hadn't figured out exactly what happened. I didn't know if Jessa was taking the blame for Michael or if Jessa was falsely accusing Michael.
"I'm really sorry. If the child had been lost, that would have been a huge mistake on my part."
Indigo's lips were chapped. I could tell tonight had really stressed her out.
"This isn't your fault. You have no obligation to babysit for her." I've always been clear-headed. Indigo already did many things beyond her responsibilities.
"This month, we'll increase your salary."
Levi wanted to comfort Indigo's distress by raising her pay.
Indigo repeatedly refused. "No, no, how could I accept a raise? Deduct from my salary instead - I almost caused a disaster."
"It really wasn't your fault. Let's all go rest."
...
Levi and I returned to the room. He took off his coat and stood by the window, lost in thought.
I sat on the edge of the bed, thinking back over everything. My mind was a mess.
From getting off work until now, we hadn't eaten a bite. Indigo was too distressed to make us a late-night snack tonight, and we didn't want to trouble her further.
"Maybe we should add one or two more people at the gate," I said quietly, knowing that we had reduced staff before because of my preferences.
Levi turned around, his deep eyes making it hard to guess what he was thinking.
"Don't worry, nothing like this will happen again."
Those words were full of reassurance, yet I still felt uneasy. Living a simple, peaceful life is really so hard.
He told me to sleep first, then he went out - probably to his study again. Was he thinking the same as I, that Jessa was innocent?
The next day, I was woken up by my phone ringing.
I opened my eyes and picked up my phone. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Faye had called me 10,086 times.
Then I saw her message: [Blair, huge gossip - Jessa is having an affair with Cleo's husband, and rumors about them are spreading like crazy!]
I rubbed my eyes. I could hardly believe that this happened in just one night.
Could they really be having an affair? That would seem to explain who picked up Hayden...
If the two of them were fooling around together, it wouldn't really matter who picked him up.