Chapter 176 Anger
The atmosphere in the car was quiet. Besides feeling annoyed about sharing the ride with Octavia, Scarlett was also surprised by Hayden's allergy.
Yara also had a history of allergies, so Scarlett knew very well how serious allergies could be.
"Did you take medicine?" Scarlett was the first to break the silence in the car, her eyes falling on Hayden beside her.
Hayden looked sickly, his gaze fixed on Scarlett's hand wrapped in a white cloth. When he heard her question, he didn't respond.
Instead, Octavia answered, "He took it just now."
Octavia's lips curved slightly, her eyes deliberately sweeping over Scarlett's bandaged hand. "Ms. Mellon, what happened to you? How did it get like this?"
Scarlett didn't want to talk to Octavia, so she didn't respond. Just then, her phone rang.
She took the opportunity to pull out her phone. In the darkness, the screen was particularly bright, showing Finnian's name. He must have found something out.
She pressed the answer button and called out his name before he could speak.
"Finnian."
At this call, Ambrose, in the driver's seat, straightened his back and listened carefully. Scarlett was focused on the phone call and didn't notice, but Octavia saw it.
"Scarlett, you're hurt?" Finnian's voice was very worried. "Is it serious?"
"I'm fine, just hurt my hand." Scarlett said calmly.
"That's good. Are you at the hospital now? I'll come see you."
"I'm not there. I'm on my way home. I'll call you back when I get home!" Scarlett said.
Finnian must have found something out and wanted to tell her, but with Octavia here now and the phone audio leaking, she didn't want her business getting out.
Finnian understood and hung up. Right after the call, Scarlett received a WhatsApp message.
It was from Finnian, a video of Zane entering Lakeside Garden. She didn't open it but put away her phone.
The car fell silent again. Seeing that Scarlett was ignoring her, Octavia didn't care and hugged Hayden right in front of her.
"Hayden, is it very itchy? Mommy will scratch it for you."
Hearing this, Scarlett spoke up to intervene.
"Don't scratch. If you break the skin, it'll leave a scar and get infected."
Octavia looked at Scarlett and replied irritably, "He's very itchy, what else can we do?"
Scarlett scoffed lightly. "The doctor should have prescribed an ointment. Apply the ointment, and it stops the itching. Find it and put it on him."
Octavia then asked Ambrose, "Ambrose, where's the medicine from the hospital?"
Ambrose looked at Scarlett through the rearview mirror. "The medicine is in front of you, lean forward and get it."
Octavia moved very quickly, deliberately leaning forward. Seeing a bag with the hospital logo on the passenger seat, she reached over and grabbed it.
Scarlett's lips curved into a mocking smile. She wouldn't compete with Octavia for Hayden. She didn't even care to compete for Ambrose, let alone for Octavia's son.
Octavia found a jar of ointment and opened it to coax Hayden.
"Hayden, Mommy will apply the medicine for you."
Hayden's eyes kept glancing at Scarlett. Seeing that Scarlett was also ignoring him, he became even more upset.
"Who says scratching will break the skin? You haven't even tried it." Hayden suddenly questioned Scarlett.
Scarlett turned her head. Under the streetlights, Hayden's red face wasn't very clear. In the flickering light and shadow, she seemed to see Yara. Her red lips parted, and her voice softened a bit.
"Yara also has allergies. I don't let her scratch either."
Whether it was because he heard that Yara had similar experiences, or because of her gentle tone, Hayden's angry look softened a bit.
Octavia, who was about to apply the ointment to Hayden, stopped her movement and lowered her eyes, impossible to tell what she was thinking.
"Yara has food allergies too?" Hayden asked again.
"Yes, she..." Scarlett was about to say mango allergy when she stopped herself. Octavia was sneaky that she absolutely couldn't let Octavia know secrets related to Yara's life.
"In the future, don't eat anything that can make you sick, no matter who gives it to you. Don't eat it, or it could kill you." Scarlett deliberately made it sound serious.
Hayden looked at her without answering, while Octavia, beside him sneered.
"Is Ms. Mellon implying that I don't take good care of Hayden?"
"If that's what you think, I can't help it. After all, he's your son. But if you know what he can't eat, why did you let him eat it?" Scarlett turned the topic back to her.
Octavia was instantly speechless. "I didn't know he had dietary restrictions."
Scarlett's words were sharp. "I'm an outsider and shouldn't say anything, but as a mother, I think you should ask clearly about your child's issues and be more careful."
Octavia wanted to fight back, but couldn't find a reason. She then smiled falsely, "Yes, you're right. I should have asked clearly."
After saying this, Octavia asked Ambrose, "Ambrose, what foods is Hayden allergic to? I can pay attention in the future."
Ambrose, who had been listening in front, said in an indifferent tone, "Hayden knows himself. He just needs to remember."
Octavia wasn't in a hurry and still smiled.
"Are you not letting me know?"
"Mango. I can't eat mango." Hayden found Octavia annoying and blurted it out.
Octavia looked down at Hayden, smiled and kissed his face. "Mommy remembers now. I definitely won't prepare mango next time."
Hearing mango, Scarlett was stunned for a few seconds. Yara was also allergic to mango. What a coincidence!
Ambrose's gaze had been on Scarlett's face, taking in her expression.
After applying the ointment, Octavia took a tissue to wipe her hands. After wiping, she said to Scarlett.
"Ms. Mellon, I saw your daughter last time. She's very cute."
Scarlett still ignored her. Seeing this, Octavia smiled generously. "Why do you keep ignoring me?"
"You're ridiculous. Why should I respond to you? Are we close?" Scarlett didn't want to play along. Octavia was best at being two-faced.
Octavia's face instantly stiffened. "If it weren't for the fact that you took care of my son for so long, I wouldn't bother with you."
Scarlett felt too annoyed. Since this afternoon, she'd been stabbed in the back, and now she had to sit here watching Octavia act. Her tone became sharp.
"If you don't want to talk to me, that's actually great. After all, faking enthusiasm is uncomfortable. Even if you're not uncomfortable, I'm uncomfortable watching it."
"I won't stoop to your level." Octavia maintained her reasonable image.
Seeing Ambrose in the front seat, staying silent the whole time, Scarlett became even more angry. What did he mean by this? Did he feel particularly accomplished? Two women arguing over him and his son in his car?
"Stop at the intersection ahead." Scarlett suddenly said.
Ambrose, who was driving, looked up at her in the mirror. "What's wrong?"
"Stop the car." Scarlett suddenly shouted, losing her temper.