Chapter 24
Chapter 24:
His voice was cold as he laid the blame. “Excuses won’t change anything. That serum — Nexo-7 — was Rylie’s achievement from the start, and you claimed all the credit while misleading everyone p>
Stacey couldn’t bring herself to face the truth in his words. Rather than admit her fault, she turned and fled, sobbing as she ran down the corridor.
Anger warred with suspicion in Leland’s chest. How could Rylie, supposedly ignorant and cast out from the Kirk family, rise so quickly — first as a star student, then as the creator of a valuable new medication, and now, in the company of the Morgans? Was she simply hiding her true talents all this time?
Had they made a grave mistake expelling her?
Regret gnawed at him, sharp and persistent. He was still puzzling over how to make amends with the Morgans when a colleague appeared in a rush, gasping for breath. “There’s been a turn for the worse with your brother. You need to come now p>
Leland’s face drained of color, and he raced for the hospital ward. As night fell, Brad extended an invitation to Rylie for dinner at Savory Haven. Amidst elegantly dressed patrons, Rylie’s sweatshirt and jeans set her apart.
Even so, her presence drew every eye. Despite her casual clothes, there was no mistaking her beauty or the unshakable composure with which she navigated the upscale room — utterly unfazed.
Brad guided her into the sanctuary of a private dining suite. She lingered by the expansive window, watching city lights flicker to life. “With your condition, it’s best not to go heavy on the food. Let’s both stick to something simple p>
When their meal arrived, the waiter set a cake before Rylie, his manner both formal and warm. “Our chef prepared this just for you. We hope it’s to your liking p>
Rylie studied the cake, noting that it was the very same kind Leland had given to Stacey that morning. Her surprise showed as she looked across the table at Brad. “Is this really for me p>
“It is,” Brad replied, his features relaxing just a little. “Every young woman deserves her own birthday celebration p>
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That admission caught Rylie off guard; she hadn’t expected Brad to notice something as personal as her birthday. She gripped the utensils a little tighter, her eyes dropping to the table. “The thing is, today isn’t actually my birthday p>
One eyebrow lifted on Brad’s face. “Oh? Isn’t it p>
Rylie’s smile turned wry, a touch bitter. “Ever since Stacey came back to the Kirks, my birthday’s disappeared from the calendar p>
Their birthdays were separated by just two days, but for Rylie, the family had always made it clear that there would never be a celebration just for her.
Year after year, the Kirk family spared no expense for Stacey’s celebration — filling the house with guests, lighting candles, and slicing up cake for her wishes. Only at the very end, Stacey would feign generosity, announcing that Rylie’s birthday should be celebrated too, and press the slightly wilted crown onto Rylie’s head, insisting that she make a wish over the remnants of Stacey’s cake.
Rylie couldn’t explain why she’d dredged up such a sickening old memory with this imposing man across from her. Her tone was airy, as if none of it mattered. “Just think of it as a family joke,” she said.
A thoughtful silence settled before Brad replied, “I heard the Kirks adopted you young. Your biological parents are supposed to live out in the countryside p>