Chapter 330: Are You Into Younger Guys?

Maybe it was my negative impression of Taylor, but I instinctively felt wary of anyone with the last name Carlyn. Even though Yael seemed friendly, my experiences with human deceit had taught me not to judge people’s intentions solely by their actions. The most dangerous individuals often wore the mask of innocence.

When he set me down, I noticed an odd, familiar warmth below. Could it be? Was my period starting? Carter had mentioned getting a holistic doctor to examine me. But before that could happen, my period began on its own. Besides, it was far more painful than usual. My poor health had made my cycles irregular, often accompanied by excruciating cramps. The doctor asked a few questions, and I answered honestly. He prescribed me some painkillers and reassured me, “It’s normal. Just make sure to avoid cold water during this time.”

Yael finally caught on to what was happening. Embarrassed, he scratched the back of his neck, his ears turning red. “Sorry, I thought it was something more serious.”

I hadn’t expected my period to start today and didn’t have any menstrual pads with me. Contacting the bodyguards would have taken too long, and I couldn’t risk a messy situation. Left with no choice, I asked Yael for help. Class monitors weren’t just well-liked—they were usually dependable, too. True to form, Yael returned in minutes with a black bag. His face was flushed as he handed it to me.

I looked at him for a moment. If he was truly Taylor’s brother, their personalities were so different. “Zoey, why are you staring at me? Is there something on my face?” he asked, confused. “Nothing,” I replied, taking the bag. “Thanks.”

I headed to the restroom, my thoughts drifting to Whitney, who had left earlier with Taylor. I wondered how she was doing. There was a clear imbalance in their relationship, but it seemed like she was dealing with troubles she couldn’t share. If Yael truly was part of the Carlyns, perhaps he could give me some insight into Whitney’s situation. At the same time, I needed to figure out whether his kindness was genuine or just pretense.

Chapter 380: Are You Into Younger Guys?

Taylor had been close to Jake, whose death raised too many questions. I couldn’t ignore the possibility of a connection. Sure enough, my period had arrived. Even after taking painkillers, I couldn’t attend my classes that morning or afternoon. I requested leave from my lecturer, who was surprisingly sympathetic and understanding—probably because Alec had already made the necessary arrangements. It was a reminder of just how much influence money could wield.

I called the driver for a ride home. The painkillers hadn’t fully kicked in yet, and the cramps in my lower abdomen were still quite intense. To my surprise, as I walked outside, I saw Yael waiting nearby. “Yael? What are you doing here?”

He handed me a thermos. “It’s lemon tea. It might help ease the pain,” he said with a warm smile. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. “How did you manage to get this so fast?”

I asked a few girls in class. Everyone’s pretty helpful and friendly here. “By the way, have you joined our group chat yet? I can add you,” he offered. “Sure,” I said, taking out my phone to let him add me to several group chats. I wasn’t sure if Yael was naturally this kind to everyone or if he knew who I was and had some hidden motives. Either way, I decided to follow his lead.

“Thanks, Yael. I’m not feeling well, so I’ve already asked for leave. I’m heading home,” I told him. “Alright. Rest up. If anything important comes up in class, I’ll let you know. Do you want me to call a taxi for you?” “No need. My driver’s on his way,” I replied before leaving.

Once in the car, I handed the thermos to my driver. “Could you check this for me? Make sure it doesn’t have anything unusual in it.” “Of course, Mrs. Bolton,” he replied dutifully.

The medication finally started to work, dulling the pain a little, but I still felt drained and weak by the time I got home. As I stepped through the door, my cat, Snowflake, pounced on me out of nowhere, nearly scaring me to death. I picked it up by the scruff of its neck and set it down gently. “Not now, Snowflake. I’m not feeling well.” Snowflake tilted its head as if it could sense I wasn’t feeling well. It gently nudged me with its head, offering some comfort.

I collapsed onto the couch, feeling utterly drained, and was on the verge of dozing off when Carter came home earlier than usual. Blinking my sleepy eyes open, I muttered, “You’re back.”

“How was your first day at university?” he asked, sitting down beside me. “I didn’t even make it through the whole day. I had to come home early.” “Is the pain still bad?”

“I took a nap, so it’s a bit better, but it hasn’t gone away completely,” I replied honestly. “I’ll massage you,” Carter offered, sitting next to me. His hands moved gently over my clothes, working to ease the discomfort.

“Why did you have someone test the lemon tea?” he asked after a moment. Feeling weak, I murmured, “I ran into someone today. I think he might be Taylor’s brother.”

“Why are you so fixated on the Carlyns?” Carter questioned, his expression neutral. “I’ve already checked them out. There’s nothing unusual.”

“Maybe it’s just because my first impression of Taylor wasn’t great,” I admitted. “And he was close to Jake.”

I didn’t mention what I’d seen Taylor do to Whitney in the car outside the funeral home. Despite not knowing her well, I couldn’t shake my concern for her. As a woman, I could sense her struggles. Regardless of the circumstances, no one should be confined or controlled. I’d seen her twice in thin dresses, evidence that someone was taking care of her. But even with that, it was clear she had lost her freedom.

“What’s on your mind?” Carter’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I blinked and quickly said, “Oh, nothing important.” “If it’s troubling you, I’ll dig deeper,” he said firmly. “Alright,” I nodded.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a notification. A message from Yael popped up on WhatsApp. “Zoey, are you feeling better?” I replied politely, “Thanks for asking. I’m doing much better now.”

Curious, I tapped on his profile and scrolled through his posts. They seemed like those of any regular university student—photos of meals, basketball games, and campus events. There wasn’t anything personal or family-related.

However, since I knew a bit about his background, it wouldn’t be hard to bring up Whitney in the future. Turning to Carter, I asked, “Did you find anything new?”

“Yes,” he said, looking at his laptop. “He’s Taylor’s younger brother, but they’re not alike. He’s originally from Snowville.”

“That explains their differences,” I remarked.

“He’s accomplished, though,” Carter added, scanning the information. “He’s been recognized multiple times as an outstanding student. He’s also skilled in music and vocals. Some entertainment agencies even wanted to sign him.”

Thinking back to Yael’s approachable personality, I casually commented, “He does seem to stand out. Tall, good-looking, active—he’s got presence.”

Carter’s demeanor shifted. His gaze darkened, and his voice turned cold. “How attractive is he? Am I too gloomy for you? Or do you prefer younger guys like him?”