Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Thinking about Priscilla having a child at home, Mason didn't try to keep her longer.

But it was so late—it seemed she had no way to get back.

Just as Priscilla was at a loss, Algernon appeared with car keys.

"I'll drive her home." Algernon glanced at Priscilla beside him.

He seemed in good spirits, his tone unusually light.

Mason gave Algernon a meaningful look before waving his hand impatiently.

"Go ahead. Just drive carefully."

Algernon hadn't been drinking tonight, and with his skilled driving, Mason had no concerns.

Having Algernon drive her felt somewhat inappropriate to Priscilla.

But she'd had alcohol tonight—even if someone gave her a car, she couldn't drive it.

In the garage, Algernon chose a relatively low-key sedan and gentlemanly opened the passenger door for Priscilla.

Things being what they were, Priscilla didn't stand on ceremony and got in.

Different from what she'd expected, Algernon drove remarkably smoothly.

After Priscilla gave the address, Algernon didn't even turn on the GPS.

"Are you confident about the design competition?" Perhaps because the car was too quiet, Algernon suddenly spoke.

Absolute confidence? Priscilla didn't have that, but the various competitions she'd entered during those four years abroad had given her considerable experience.

"I have plenty of experience—I just don't know if my design style matches Avalonian designers' aesthetics." Priscilla was somewhat worried.

Over the years, she'd absorbed the essence of both domestic and international design, incorporating these styles reasonably into her own work.

But Avalonian style specifically—she'd studied that less.

"It's fine. Though there are some differences in style, you have to trust that good aesthetics are universal." Algernon said with certainty.

Priscilla looked at him, puzzled.

He seemed to really trust her.

Believing she would absolutely stand out.

"Besides being a designer, do you have any other dreams you want to fulfill?" Algernon asked again.

This question—Priscilla had never really considered it carefully.

"If I had to say something... does acting count? When I was little, seeing those actors appear on screen, being seen by so many people—I was pretty envious." Priscilla sighed.

Being seen had been her dream since childhood.

Algernon said nothing, just drove quietly.

Finally, they arrived at her door.

Watching Priscilla enter, Algernon didn't rush to leave. Instead, he stood at a distance, smoking one cigarette after another.

That very night, all the news focused on the cancellation of Algernon and Quinlan's engagement.

Quinlan, who'd been home since returning, was so angry her eyes were red.

And Jasper was even more furious. "I told you not to be impulsive when you went! What did you do?"

He had wanted to act high and mighty for a few more days using Quinlan's title as fiancée, but now that was over.

He couldn't keep up the pretense anymore.

"How could we have known? Besides, our Quinlan is such a wonderful girl—who knows why that Algernon doesn't appreciate her." Bianca rambled on.

Jasper couldn't care about all that.

"Either way, we've gotten the benefits we needed. Be careful these next few days—don't make any rash moves!" Jasper's tone grew heavier.

He didn't want the hard-won projects to fall through again.

Bianca was livid.

"All you care about is business! Our daughter suffered such humiliation and you don't even ask!" Bianca couldn't help jabbing Jasper in the face.

Jasper looked at Bianca irritably.

"How is this my fault? They said from the start—just do a paternity test and they could marry. She kept refusing. I'm starting to wonder if that child is even Algernon's!" Jasper said resentfully.

Jasper had essentially voiced Bianca's own thoughts.

Though Quinlan wasn't her biological daughter, Bianca had raised her—she knew.

Indigo probably really wasn't Algernon's child.

"What kind of father suspects his own daughter of being promiscuous!" Bianca threw out that line and left in a huff.

Back in the room, Quinlan had already changed into pajamas, sitting on the bed hugging her knees, red-eyed—clearly having just cried.

"Don't be upset. This had to come out eventually. Better that it happened today." Bianca had calmed down considerably.

On the way home, Bianca had figured it out—nothing else mattered as long as Quinlan was okay.

Seeing Bianca enter, Quinlan felt anxious.

"Mom." She called out softly.

Bianca gently patted her back. "I'm here."

"Mom, what am I going to do? Mr. Visconti said those things in front of so many people. I... I really can't face anyone anymore!" Quinlan wrapped her arms around Bianca's.

Bianca sighed softly. "Tell me the truth. Indigo's father—who is he really?"

That question again.

A flash of resentment crossed Quinlan's eyes. Why couldn't they move past this topic?

Her eyes reddened. "I... I don't know either."

Bianca, who'd been patiently comforting Quinlan, suddenly changed expression.

"You really were promiscuous?" Her voice trembled.

The daughter she'd always thought was such a good girl had been sleeping around behind her back.

Quinlan shook her head frantically.

"No, it's not like that." She cried until her eyes were red. "Mom, that night I was tricked by Priscilla!"

Priscilla?

Bianca paused, then looked at Quinlan skeptically. "She tricked you?"

"Mom, do you remember that night with Hayden and Priscilla?" Quinlan pressed.

Of course Bianca remembered.

When Hayden came looking, she'd wanted to crawl into a hole.

Learning this involved Priscilla, Bianca perked up immediately.

"Actually that night, after I drank something Priscilla gave me, I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I was in some large bed..."

Quinlan grew more distressed as she spoke.

After hearing Quinlan's story, Bianca's expression grew darker and darker.

So it was her biological daughter who'd harmed Quinlan, harmed the entire Medici family?

Bianca couldn't accept this outcome.

"No! I have to tell your father. We absolutely cannot let this menace stay in this house!" Bianca said angrily.

Seeing Bianca about to leave in anger, Quinlan quickly grabbed her.

"Mom! Please don't tell Dad about this. I think something about this doesn't add up!" Quinlan was desperate.

Bianca, who'd been about to leave, paused and looked at Quinlan uncomprehendingly. "Why? She hurt you this badly, and you're still defending her?"