Chapter 300: Ties That Bind and Grind

“Could you think before you act? Easton is Ellis’s ex-husband. Why on earth would you involve him in her business?” Morty criticized Cameron’s actions, clearly annoyed that he seemed to favor Easton over himself.

“Huh,” Cameron was taken aback. “Are you mad at me?”

“Tim not mad. I’m just pointing out your stupidity.”

“I’m not stupid, okay?”

Morty didn’t respond verbally but gave Cameron a look that suggested he should reflect on his own actions.

Meanwhile, Ellis and Maya had stepped outside the restaurant, with Easton still following them. Seeing this, Morty’s mood darkened further. What is Easton’s intention in following Ellis?

Being called stupid to his face for the first time in his life—especially by a close friend—didn’t sit well with Cameron, and he muttered a few complaints under his breath. He half expected Morty to call him stupid again, but Morty didn’t react, his attention fixed on something else.

Following Morty’s gaze, Cameron looked outside and saw that Ellis and Maya had stopped walking. They stood side by side, facing Easton, creating a two-against-one standoff.

“Why did Easton follow them if Ellis said she didn’t need an escort?” Cameron asked, puzzled.

“Just be quiet; your words only prove your foolishness.” Morty was deep in thought, trying to figure out Easton’s motives, and didn’t want any distractions.

Cameron clutched his chest dramatically. “Seriously, man, what’s with you tonight? You’re super protective of Ellis, and you didn’t even say hi to Easton?”

Easton had ignored Morty completely, which was odd in itself. Morty not acknowledging Easton as if he didn’t exist was even stranger.

“We’re done, didn’t you notice?” Morty turned to glare at Cameron, his disdain for Cameron’s lack of perception thick in the air.

“Huh?” Cameron was shocked. “You mean it’s that serious?”

Since deciding he wanted to be with Ellis, Morty had cut off his friendship with Easton, and Easton’s actions didn’t suggest he regarded Morty as a friend anymore. Morty didn’t elaborate, leaving Cameron to ponder in silence.

“What happened that I don’t know about?” Cameron pressed for answers.

“There’s a lot you don’t know. And now’s not the time to ask,” Morty replied curtly.

It felt like a century of silence passed as Cameron opened and closed his mouth several times, unable to articulate his thoughts.

Morty called him stupid, and maybe he was. Had he inadvertently created a mess by bringing together people who clearly didn’t get along?

Cameron laughed nervously as Morty’s cold gaze swept over him again. “Before tonight, you never told me you and Easton had cut ties. If I had known, I wouldn’t have sent the restaurant’s address to Easton.”

“From now on, don’t put me and Easton in the same place,” Morty paused, “and don’t put Ellis and Easton together either. You can see Ellis hates it.”

Cameron nodded earnestly. It was obvious to anyone that Ellis was not pleased with Easton’s presence. He resolved not to create such awkward situations again. But he still felt something odd about Morty’s behavior, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint what.

Chapter 300: Ties That Bind and Grind

Did they break up abruptly? Did they have irreconcilable differences? Morty was tight-lipped, only now revealing their fallout. And Morty’s concern for Ellis over the phone seemed unusually intense. One mystery led to another, and Cameron scratched his head in frustration.

Meanwhile, Ellis was beyond annoyed with Easton following them. “I keep saying that I don’t need him to escort us, I have my own car, why can’t he just take a hint?”

Closing her eyes momentarily to suppress an eye roll, she said, “How many times do I have to tell you I’m annoyed by you before you get it?”

“I know you’re annoyed by me, and I’m not insisting on escorting you and Maya,” Easton looked back towards the restaurant where Cameron and Morty still sat, “Morty is not a good person; you should keep your distance from him.”

Morty had acted in ways that seemed designed to drive a wedge between him and Ellis, and Easton had long struck him off his list of close contacts.

“He’s not a good person, and you are?” Ellis couldn’t understand why Easton would say Morty wasn’t a good person, but in her eyes, Morty was certainly better than Easton.

What right does Easton have to judge Morty? Besides, who I interact with is my choice; why should Easton have any say in it?

Recalling how Easton had once forbidden her from associating with Casey, claiming she would face the consequences if she persisted, she found it utterly ridiculous. Does Easton think he rules over people, that they should all act according to his wishes? Who does he think he is?