Chapter 298: An Unwanted Gathering

Once they had agreed, Cameron took Ellis and Maya to a nearby restaurant he frequented. Ellis had no appetite and didn’t order anything. She watched as Cameron ordered a heap of food and took a couple of calls, then stared at his screen, probably texting someone. Cameron’s behavior could be seen as normal or odd, giving off a strangely unsettling vibe. However, Ellis wasn’t close enough to him to speculate, and considering his help was crucial tonight for her and Maya, she didn’t dwell on who he might be communicating with.

As Maya was nearly done with her sobering soup, Ellis caught a glimpse of a man approaching their table from the corner of her eye. Morty! Why is he here? She instinctively focused her full attention on Cameron and asked directly, “Did you call Morty?”

To Ellis’s surprise, as soon as she saw Morty, she assumed he was there because of her, but Cameron quickly clarified, “No, I didn’t call him. He came on his own.”

Ellis wanted to say more, but unfortunately, Morty had already taken a seat next to Cameron. Morty looked them over with a scrutinizing gaze and asked gently, “Are you two alright?”

Maya was just as surprised by Morty’s appearance and glanced at her friend for clues. Morty was addressing both of them, and with Maya staying silent, Ellis had to speak. She pursed her lips and said, “We’re fine. But why are you here?”

“Cameron told me you might be in trouble, so I came,” Morty revealed honestly.

Ellis frowned. “Cameron, why did you tell Morty?”

“I…” Cameron looked embarrassed and struggled to continue. Telling the truth hadn’t been easy; no one liked their personal matters gossiped about. Seeing Cameron falter, Ellis had been able to piece together the gist of it. Was it just my ragged appearance that made him curious enough to mention it to Morty, like sharing gossip, and that’s why he came rushing over? Humans sure love their drama.

Maya, unlike Ellis who was slightly displeased, was busy observing Morty with shifting glances. Her friend didn’t like Morty, and she knew it. Yet, Morty had come to their rescue several times recently. From this, it seemed Morty wasn’t showing his double-faced personality anymore and might actually be decent.

The atmosphere, which was initially harmonious, suddenly turned awkward, with Cameron feeling the most uncomfortable. He had always wondered why Morty seemed so concerned about Ellis, assuming the two had grown familiar without his notice, never considering that their relationship might be strained. Ellis clearly did not appreciate Morty’s presence, not even giving him the time of day.

Cameron, trying to smooth things over, said, “It’s good Morty came; I ordered too much food, and he can help us out.” Ellis responded noncommittally with an “Oh,” giving Cameron face, as well as letting Morty save face.

“Have you sorted out the trouble you were in?” Morty leaned in slightly, looking at Maya. “Maybe I can help.”

At that, Maya’s mouth dropped open. Is Morty trying to get on my good side to reach my friend? “Mr. Morty, you…”

Before she could finish, without any cues from her friend, she noticed a man approaching their table who looked all too familiar. It was Easton, Ellis’s ex-husband! What day is it that both Ellis’s suitor and ex-husband had shown up? Leaving a sentence half-finished was the best way to keep others on edge. Ellis was all ears to Maya’s words, completely oblivious to the front.

It was only when Maya nudged her and gestured for her to look forward that she noticed the person topping her list of least favorite people approaching. As Easton drew nearer, all four at the table saw him. Now it seemed like her own setup, and she had to take the responsibility of greeting everyone. Cameron stood up and pointed to an empty seat next to him, “Easton, here’s a seat for you.”

Maya suddenly went mute. She pulled out her phone and stealthily texted Ellis on WhatsApp, “Girl, both your suitor and ex are here, what’s the plan?” After sending it, seeing that Ellis hadn’t noticed where her phone was, she simply handed her own phone over for Ellis to read. Quickly scanning the text, Ellis rubbed her forehead in frustration. What kind of mess is this? Were Easton and Morty both informed by Cameron to come?

As Maya was about to put her phone away, she saw Easton stand beside Ellis and sit down without hesitation, ignoring the seat Cameron had indicated.