Chapter 83
Everyone held back from eating. When they heard Cleo defending Michael, Aiden got so angry that he kept coughing. It took him several minutes to calm down.
"You two are really pathetic. Getting into trouble over the same woman, and you don't even think about what that says about you?" Aiden was still upset.
"Grandpa, I know, right? I really underestimated Jessa. I never thought that after things didn't work out with Levi, she'd go after my husband."
Cleo had this weird confidence, acting like her husband had done nothing wrong and was just so charming that Jessa couldn't help throwing herself at him.
"You've really lost your mind. You don't even know what kind of person your own husband is."
Aiden probably felt that beneath Michael's respectable appearance, he wasn't actually a good person. I think he was hinting at this to Cleo, but she just wouldn't see it.
"Aiden, Cleo has always been carefree and doesn't worry much about these things. If Michael really betrayed her, the Morgan family isn't one to mess with." Levi's mother spoke up for her.
"You've all spoiled her."
Aiden had that feeling of disappointment in someone who won't live up to their potential, but he was powerless to do anything about it.
"Let's leave the young people's problems for them to handle. We're old now, better to say less. Let's eat, the food is getting cold."
Rhea rarely spoke up at occasions like this, but she was worried everyone would have an unpleasant evening, so she hoped Aiden would say less.
"Grandpa, please don't be angry. We'll be fine, I promise this kind of thing won't happen again." I hoped Aiden would feel better.
"If only you were all as sensible as Blair. Forget it, let's eat."
Aiden started to eat, and everyone nervously followed suit.
Throughout this dinner, I was constantly reading the room, afraid something else would go wrong. This family couldn't handle any more drama.
Levi took a couple of bites of food, but I could see he didn't have much appetite either.
Michael was nowhere to be seen. Cleo didn't explain why he wasn't there tonight, and Aiden didn't ask. His presence here would have been even more awkward anyway.
With all the gossip about him and Jessa going around, Cleo really should start making some decisions. Whether they divorce or not, there needs to be some resolution.
From Aiden's attitude, I felt that if Michael really cheated, the Morgan family would most likely no longer want him as a son-in-law.
Gossip and cheating scandals are two different things. This concerns Cleo's personal happiness and also affects the Morgan family's reputation.
Levi and I ate a few bites and got ready to go home. I made an excuse about being busy with work and needing to work overtime, and said goodbye to Aiden.
Levi's mother called him over and said a few words. I didn't hear exactly what, and I wasn't interested anyway.
Right now, for me, it's better to avoid trouble when possible.
Cold streets, empty heart.
We had a drink with Aiden, so the driver came to pick us up.
When the car stopped at the door, Levi got out first, then walked around to open the car door for me. The driver was about to open it, but after getting a sharp look from Levi, he didn't dare move.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at Levi's behavior.
"Levi, please help me, it's not what they're saying..."
Just as I stuck my head out, Jessa rushed over and grabbed Levi's arm. I got so startled I shook and sat back down in my seat.
My heart was pounding. I covered my chest, trying to calm myself down.
"Levi, that day Michael framed me for picking up Hayden. I only offered to take Hayden because I was afraid he'd see Michael with another woman."
"Cleo and I are friends, and I wanted to thank her for her help and care. I never thought Michael would deny it and blame me instead."
"I couldn't accept it. I had to find evidence to prove my innocence. That night, after you all left, I followed him."
"I went to Cleo's house and waited in my car, and I actually caught him. Michael pretended to go back to the office to work overtime, but he was actually meeting that woman."
"I followed them to a hotel. I had actually gotten photos, but that woman grabbed my phone and smashed it."
"Later, they decided to twist the facts, got someone to edit videos randomly, and spread rumors that I was with him!"
Jessa laid out the whole story in one breath. It was logical and actually held up pretty well.
"Without evidence, it's hard to prove."
Levi said quietly. He looked at Jessa, seeming willing to believe her.
"Blair, I'm telling the truth. You know me - no matter how bad my judgment is, I wouldn't go after a man like Michael."
Jessa suddenly spoke to me, startling me again.
How would I know her? How could she expect me to sympathize with her?
"Levi, it's really true. My agent won't even let me go out now, afraid Michael will hurt me. I'm out of options. I can't go find evidence myself. I'm begging you, please help me. I don't want to just sit here and wait for the worst."
Levi moved her hand away. "Let me take you home first."
"Levi, please say yes. I'm telling the truth. Just this once, I promise I won't bother you again. I'm really being wrongly accused."
If what she said was true, then the hotel's surveillance footage would definitely be tampered with. This Michael really isn't what he appears to be.
"Go home first."
Levi put his hand on her shoulder and patted it, calming her down.
Jessa suddenly lost control of her emotions. She hugged Levi tightly and started crying.
I turned my face away, not wanting to see the two of them.
"Be good, go home first."
Levi repeated the words telling her to go home, gently patting her back. I snuck a glance, and the scene made me jealous.
When I was upset, I never got to hide in his arms.
He still has feelings for her, doesn't he? He didn't push her away.
"Mr. Morgan, it's getting late. If someone photographs me taking Miss Greer home, who knows what they'll write." The driver interrupted them.
That was actually very thoughtful. For Jessa, right now, the less gossip the better.
Jessa looked at Levi reluctantly, then took two steps back when her eyes turned to me.
Only then did I have time to get out of the car. Being blocked in there by the two of them felt really stifling.
I went through the door first. Levi waited until they left before following.
"Wait for me," Levi called from behind.
I kept walking forward. "We're home now, no need to keep up the act. This isn't the Morgan mansion."
"Are you angry?"
This was the first time Levi asked if I was angry.
So he does know how to care about people, just not about me.
I recalled the image of him and Jessa hugging, and it made me really angry.
"What do I have to be angry about? You two are into each other."
Right now, I really didn't want to talk to Levi. So much for their relationship being over - the moment Jessa asks for help, he's ready to run to her aid.