Chapter 655 Have a Seat
It wasn’t until Kyla accidentally let something slip that Tilda started to grow suspicious. After a bit of digging, she finally uncovered Kyla’s real identity.
When the appointed time arrived, Kyla saw the restaurant’s door swing open. The crisp chime of the bell rang as they entered. The moment Kyla’s eyes fell on them, it felt like a weight had slammed onto her chest. A strange, unexplainable sensation surged through her.
The woman was unmistakably Megan–still radiating her mature elegance, wrapped in a designer mink coat that screamed wealth and refinement. Beside her stood Kyla’s supposed father, James, clad in a suit with a neat crew cut. His expression carried a roguish charm, the sort of streetwise confidence that suggested he had lived a rougher life.
You could tell what kind of people they were at a glance—no mystery there. On any other day, Kyla might have dismissed them with barely a glance. Raised under the Jensons‘ watchful eyes, she had encountered all sorts of people and learned to read them fast. James’s suit might have cost a few thousand at most–far from a true designer piece, more filler than fashion statement. It couldn’t compare to the multi–million–dollar custom suits the Jensons‘ men wore to society events; the difference in fabric and cut was plain to see. Megan’s mink coat was genuine, but the bag in her hand was a high–quality knockoff–a street-market LV replica that cost only a few hundred dollars. Cheap, fake, and obvious to anyone with an eye.
And yet the most disturbing part was that Kyla felt something stir inside her at the sight of them. The sensation was undeniable, like a pulse running through her veins. Kyla refused to admit even to herself that these two could possibly be her real parents. She had once clung to the faint hope that her real parents might have succeeded in life, that those searching for her had become respectable.
Now it was clear that hope was meaningless. These people weren’t here to help. If anything, she’d be lucky if they didn’t ask her for money.
Tilda’s lips curved into a cold, faint smile. “Andy, the main players have arrived. Let’s watch.” Andy grinned. “Finally! I was starting to nod off. This is going to be entertaining.”
At first, James and Megan didn’t notice Kyla’s disguise. Once they were seated, James pulled out his phone and dialed her. Kyla silenced it. Seeing that it was him, she used the excuse of going to the restroom to answer.
“We’re here, and it’s almost time. Kyla, where are you? Your mom and I are so eager to see you.”
The forced sweetness in James’s voice made Kyla’s stomach churn; she nearly gagged.
“I’ll be there soon. Give me ten more minutes.”
After hanging up, Kyla removed her sunglasses and tousled her hair. She kept her mask on and stared at her reflection, noticing her dark, shadowed eyes and haggard expression. She clenched her fists and took a deep, steadying breath.
Like it or not, this is happening. Running won’t solve anything–I have to face it.
Kyla left the restroom, circled to the front entrance, and walked in as if she had just arrived.
“Kyla!” James spotted her immediately, leaping up to grab her hand. “I finally see you again … ”
Kyla coolly sidestepped him. “Sir, let’s talk first. Don’t call me that. I don’t even know if you’re really my father.”
James smirked, oozing confidence. “Of course, I’m your father! I came looking for you, didn’t I? If you don’t believe me, we can do a DNA test. Modern technology will confirm it in no time…”
Damn it!
In that moment, Kyla wanted nothing more than to slap him across the face. This man had abandoned her all those years ago. And just when she had assumed he was long dead and was living her best life under the Jensons‘ care, he showed up out of nowhere! And now he dared to meet with her, pretending to be a loving parent, saying he was her father and claiming he had missed her–it made her stomach twist.
“Alright, honey, let Kyla sit. She’s traveled so far; she must be hungry. Let’s order something.” Seeing Kyla’s evasive glance, Megan felt a flicker of guilt. But glancing at James, she took it upon herself to smooth things over.
“Yes, yes. Let’s sit and talk while we eat. Why standing? Come on, Kyla, have a seat.”
James still reached for her hand.
Kyla quickly moved to the table and sat herself down. James shrugged, casually wiping his palm on his suit, and took a seat across from her, unfazed.
Kyla subtly studied Megan and felt a sense of despair sinking in.