Chapter 105

Exhaustion settled over the Vanderbilt Manor living room as Reginald’s group arrived late that night. They collapsed onto the sofas, too weary to move.

“Where’s Grayson?” Lauren asked the butler.

“Asleep,” he replied.

Lauren breathed a sigh of relief. Leaving Grayson at home with the staff had been the only option given the day’s events.

Kayla snuggled into Lauren’s side. “I hope Grandpa makes it through the night.”

Reginald’s confidence was unshakeable. “He will. Walsh and Hansen said it wasn’t serious.”

Lauren nodded. “Plus, we have… Paisley watching over things.”

Kayla sat up, her eyes wide. “Can’t believe Paisley’s that skilled. Why didn’t she tell us?”

Reginald sighed. “Would it have changed anything? You both disliked her, convinced she stole what was Marissa’s.”

Lauren and Kayla shifted uncomfortably.

“It’s just… Dom and Marissa grew up together,” Kayla insisted. “If Paisley hadn’t shown up, Marissa would be Dom’s wife.”

“But Dom chose Paisley,” Reginald countered.

Kayla pouted. “Only because Marissa wasn’t around. Paisley took advantage.”

“And why would she do that?” Reginald asked gently.

“For the money, obviously!”

“Does she need money?” Reginald challenged.

Kayla faltered. She hadn’t realized Paisley’s incredible medical skills back then. Plus, her marriage to Dominick had been quiet—no Vanderbilt fanfare, no perks. When they divorced, Paisley walked away with nothing.

Kayla tilted her head. “If not money or power… what was she after?”

Reginald and Lauren exchanged a knowing glance.

A slow smile spread across Kayla’s face. “Love. She married Dom because she loved him.”

“Doesn’t matter now; they’re divorced,” Kayla muttered, then turned to Reginald. “Dad, you were for the divorce too. Grandpa was the only one against it.”

Reginald admitted his regret. Unlike Lauren and Kayla, his judgment had been purely calculated. He’d seen Paisley as an outsider, unworthy of the Vanderbilt name. He never imagined he’d be begging for her help years later.

Lauren lowered her voice. “Let’s drop it. Marissa shouldn’t hear this.”

Marissa reappeared, heading straight for the kitchen to prepare a late-night snack, despite the abundance of staff.

Lauren examined her reflection in a compact mirror. “These lines… these bags… I swear, a little exhaustion ages me terribly now.”

Kayla’s eyes widened. “You know, when Paisley was married to Dom, we were all incredibly healthy. Do you think she was secretly taking care of us?”

It was true. Their health had declined drastically after Paisley left, despite no other lifestyle changes.

Reginald and Lauren fell silent, a bitter taste lingering. Paisley had quietly done so much for them.

“Still,” Kayla bounced back, scrolling through her phone, “Marissa said she could help me meet Mr. Vaire! I can’t wait!”