Chapter 630
Chapter 630
Chapter 630 Innocent NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
“I don’t know either, Honey,” Robyn said as she drew closer to Harold, hoping to share his warmth.
Harold eyed her coldly. ’You were acting strange when Ainsley brought up her father’s death. Did you have anything to do with it?”
Robyn shook her head frantically. ’No! What could I have done? He was your brother, and as money- crazed as I am, I’d never stoop so low and kill another man for it!”
Harold assessed her for a long moment, and finally said with a smile, “You’re right. You haven’t done anything at all.”
It was only then that Robyn felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. She wrapped her arms around her husband as worry etched upon her face.
It was almost three o ‘clock in the afternoon when Robyn went upstairs and woke Matteo up. “Hurry up and get to the living room. We have guests!”
In the next room, Ainsley poked her head out the door, only for Robyn to say icily, “Stay in your room, Aisy. It’s not as if you know the guests anyway.”
Matteo frowned. “Ainsley is going too. We’re all from the Easton family. It’s only right that we greet the guests together.’
Just as Ainsley was about to refuse, Matteo walked straight over and grabbed her arm, then led her downstairs.
Meanwhile, Harold had been carrying out small talk with one of the guests. Matteo knew who that man was. It was Jett Glover. There was a woman next to him, and she was none other than Waston, who
Matteo had not seen for some time.
In the days they had not seen each other, Waston seemed to have grown more gloomy.
Jett glanced at Matteo worriedly and said, “This is how Ms. Glover has been since her return, Mr. Easton. She hardly talks these days, and she’s cooped up in her room all the time. Mr. Glover is worried sick.”
Waston tugged on Jett’s sleeve and urged, “That’s not true, Uncle Jett. I’m perfectly fine in my room.”
Then, she flashed Ainsley and Matteo a smile. ’Hello, Matteo and Ms. Easton.’
Ainsley sensed a hint of reluctance in her smile. “Just call me Ainsley.”
Waston had helped her out a few times, and Ainsley would love to be friends with her.
Jett’s eyes lit up when he registered Ainsley’s presence. ’I heard you were a renowned psychologist, Ms. Easton. It would be great if you could examine Ms. Glover.”
Without refusing, Ainsley smiled and said, “In that case, the rest of you can carry on while I bring Ms. Glover upstairs.”
Waston obediently stood up and reached for Ainsley’s hand. “Seeing as we’re going on a first-name basis, you might as well call me Waston. ‘Ms. Glover’ sounds so stuffy and formal.”
Ainsley brought Waston upstairs, and after closing the door behind her, she did not go straight into psycho-babble and instead asked Waston gently, “Waston, I don’t think you’re distressed as much as you are frustrated.
Would you like to share what’s on your mind with me?”
Waston was like a fretful child as she fiddled with the hem of her shirt. She hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively, “If I tell you, will you promise to keep it a secret from Matteo?”
“I promise,” Ainsley replied firmly.
Only then did Waston heave a sigh of relief. She began, ’After I was kidnapped the other day, Kaliyah asked me a few questions. She asked me if Matteo would accept me if I was disfigured or violated. She also asked, if you and I both had knives held to her throats and Matteo could only save one of us, who would it be?”
She paused, then continued, “I told her no for the first two questions, but I don’t know how to answer the last one.”
“So you’ve been sulking these past few days and locking yourself in your room to ponder on that question?’ Ainsley asked incredulously.
Waston nodded once, then shook her head afterward. “Yes and no. I know it’s such a stupid question and that I shouldn’t be affected by it.”
“It is but human nature to self-doubt and face existential crises, but once you free yourself of this vicious circle, you’ll find that every doubt you’ve ever had about yourself is nothing more than a joke,” Ainsley comforted.
Then, she added emphatically, “But, if you find yourself still fixated on the question, why don’t you flip it and ask yourself what you would do if Matteo were the one in danger?”
Waston considered this, then looked at Ainsley as she said, “I’d probably tell you about it first.’
Ainsley smiled. ’See? The problem is solved. There’s really no need for you to force a certain answer out of it, right?”
Waston let out a breath of relief. “I’ve actually found my answer to that question when I saw you just now. I’ve been cooped up at home turning the question over in my head and wondering why those three questions bug me so much. In actuality, I’d already stood up to Kaliyah by answering her first two questions, but I got all nervous and expectant when it was Matteo’s turn to answer her questions. That only goes to show I was doubting myself.”
Ainsley handed her a glass of water. “That’s normal. I mean, you like him, and it’s only natural that you get butterflies around him. That can often feel like anxiety and cause you to think you’re losing control over everything.’
With a faint smile, Waston took a sip of water and said, “I guess that’s it for my therapy session, huh? I didn’t plan on coming here today, you know. Mrs. Easton was the one who invited me.”
Ainsley nodded, looking sympathetic. “I know. She can’t wait for you to be with Matteo.”
“If Matteo can wait, then so can 1.1 wouldn’t have dropped by today if Uncle Jett hadn’t made me. Grandpa wants Matteo and 11 get together as well, but I just don’t understand what all the rush is about,” Waston said, frowning.
“Don’t dwell on it, Waston. Have a little more faith in Matteo. He’s not the shallow and despicable sort,” Ainsley consoled.
Naturally, he would never turn Waston down just because of superficial reasons. With a nod, Waston said, “I understand.”
“Come on, let’s go downstairs,’ Ainsley suggested as she stood up. “Maybe you’ll be my cousin-in-law soon.”
Waston blushed when she heard this.
They made their way down to the living room, and Jett assessed Waston worriedly as he asked, “Has she examined you?”
Waston sat down next to him and answered demurely, ’I’m fine now. Uncle Jett.”
Robyn stepped forward, effectively blocking Ainsley’s way, and interjected brightly, “Come over here and sit with Waston, Matteo.”
Harold was talking to Jett while Matteo was conversing with Waston.
Ainsley could not seem to get around Robyn at all, and she was starting to feel isolated.
She stared at Robyn’s back. If she looked any harder, she would probably see the wicked sneer on the woman’s face.
Nonetheless, she remained unfazed and sat on one side of the room, sipping water casually.
After a while, Matteo noticed she was alone and quickly crossed the room to take the seat next to her.
“Go back and talk to Waston,” Ainsley urged.
Dismayed, Robyn came over and hissed at Matteo, “What are you doing? You can’t just leave Waston there on her own! Go and talk to her!”
Having said this, she secretly glared at Ainsley as though silently accusing her of being needy.
“I can sit wherever I want, Mom,” Matteo countered unhappily.
Just then, Waston sauntered up to them and helped herself to the seat across from Ainsley, saying, “I think this is perfect.”
Seeing that Waston had moved to this corner of the living room on her own accord, Robyn let the matter drop.
“So, have the both of you been very busy these days?’ Waston asked Matteo and Ainsley.
Matteo nodded but made no reply.
Ainsley, on the other hand, answered, “There’s been a lot going on at the company lately, so Matteo’s been handling those. As for me, I’ve been fielding invitations.” She had been gaining fame in the industry ever since she was awarded the Chenov Prize.