Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Chapter 7 I Don’t Have a Future

Peyton’s tone was calm when she talked about Nolan. It was like. Peyton had gotten over him.

But Alwyn wasn’t fooled. When one really loved someone, it took a lot to get over the person. Alwyn

understood that Peyton was acting. She would only lick her wound when she was alone.

Alwyn didn’t ask Peyton any more questions. He changed the subject. “I know that you haven’t paid

Kason’s hospital bills. As your friend, I can help. You can pay me back in the future.”

Alwyn knew it was difficult for Peyton to raise so much money. He offered to help more than once. But

Peyton turned Alwyn down every time.

Peyton’s answer was the same this time. “No, thank you.”

“Peyton, think about Kason’s health. Would you rather accept that jerk’s insult than my kindness? I

don’t need anything from you. I simply want to help. I’m not as rich as Nolan, But my family is well off.

The sum you need is nothing to me. Don’t worry about it.”

Peyton cupped the glass with both her hands and slowly turned to Alwyn. Her face was so pale that

anyone would feel sorry for her.

“Alwyn, I know you’re a good friend. But… I don’t have a future

anymore.”

Peyton couldn’t return Alwyn’s feelings or money.

The intravenous drip bottle was about to be empty. Peyton pulled out the needle roughly. She didn’t

use a cotton swab to press on the back

of her hand. Blood dripped down rapidly.

Peyton didn’t spare it a glance. She stood up and grabbed her coat. “Alwyn, you can stop worrying

about it. Nolan will give me 1.6 million dollars as soon as we settle the divorce papers tomorrow. My

dad had surgery yesterday. I need to see him.”

Peyton was stubborn. She was a genius, but she gave up her study and got married. Nobody knew

why.

Alwyn’s university teacher always mourned for the loss of a good student when they had dinners.

Peyton seemed to know Alwyn was about to offer a ride. She waved her phone and said, “The cab I

called is here.”

Alwyn had lost all excuses.

Peyton put on her coat. When Peyton grabbed the door handle, Alwyn spoke up again, “Peyton, have

you ever regretted giving up everything to marry Nolan?”

Regret?

Peyton started thinking. Nolan destroyed the Schmitt family. The news hit Kason so hard that he had a

car accident and ended up in a hospital. Peyton had lost her dear baby.

Peyton thought she should feel regret. But when she closed her eyes, she saw the man who saved her

from the cruise trip in the storm. The white-shirt young man who she met once in school.

Peyton kept her tears at bay and said, “No.”

The door closed with a click. Alwyn stared after Peyton with numerous thoughts in his head.

Kason was still in ICU when Peyton arrived at his hospital. Peyton had to watch Kason through the

glass. Peyton had many questions. But they all turned into a lump in her throat.

As far as Peyton remembered, Kason was a gentleman. Kason and Peyton’s mother, Colette Stuart,

never even raised their voices to each. other before the divorce.

Kason didn’t get married again after Colette left. He had spent all his free time with Peyton.

Peyton noticed that Nolan kept on bringing Kason up. She deduced that Kason was Nolan’s target.

When Peyton was with Nolan, Nolan mentioned that he had a missing sister. Nolan’s sister was lost

when she was little. Nolan’s mom became mentally ill due to grief and had been living abroad since.

Peyton wondered what the connection between Nolan’s missing sister and Kason was.

Peyton decided she could start digging from the people around Kason. Peyton went to the houses of

their family’s driver and housekeeper, though it was still early morning.

Both men had worked for Kason for nearly their whole lives. But they had disappeared. One had a

strange car accident, and one had left the country.

Kason was the only one who could answer Peyton. But he was in a coma. Peyton ran around like a

headless chicken until sunrise.

There were too many coincidences. Peyton was certain someone was behind this.

The employees of the Schmitt family were a dead end. Peyton was clever. She immediately changed

her target to Jayson and Lucian, who

were Nolan’s driver and assistant.

Peyton glanced at her watch. It was 7 a.m. She estimated that Jayson and Lucian were on their way to

pick up Nolan. Peyton dialed Lucian’s cell.

Luckily, Lucian picked up after a few rings. His tone was as polite ast ever. “Hello, Mrs. Dalton.”

Peyton hadn’t heard anyone call her that for a long time. She ignored the sorrow and said, “Lucian, I’m

on my way to divorce Nolan. Would you give me a ride?”

Lucian didn’t answer. Like Nolan, the Bryant brothers preferred to stick to their schedules.

Peyton added hurriedly, “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to do anything. If there’s an accident, it may

delay the divorce. I don’t want that. I need money for my dad’s hospital bills. So…”

Peyton was on good terms with the Bryant brothers. She was nice to them. So, it didn’t take much to

convince Lucian. “Where are you, Mrs. Dalton? I’ll come over immediately.”

Peyton told Lucian the closest place. The place was on the road to Seaview Villa. Helena lived in

Seaview Villa.

Although Peyton was reluctant to admit it, she knew Nolan had been caught spending nights in

Seaview Villa by reporters. Peyton was certain Nolan had been living in Seaview Villa during their

separation.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Dalton. We’re almost at Midpeak Road. You may need to wait about 20 minutes.”

“OK.” Peyton was surprised by Lucian’s answer.

Midpeak Road was near the Dalton’s mansion. Did it mean Nolan

Peyton dismissed the thought soon as that wasn’t her concern anymore.

Jayson drove fast. Before long, Lucian had arrived and opened the car door for Peyton. He still treated

Peyton with the same humble attitude. “I apologize for keeping you waiting, Mrs. Dalton.”

Peyton nodded and said, “I didn’t wait long.”

Lacking Lucian’s sense of composure, Jayson greeted Peyton gleefully, “Mrs. Dalton, it’s cold. You

should sleep in. It’s too early now.”

Lucian shot Jayson a warning look. Jayson shut up immediately. After getting inside the car, Peyton

showed her sorrow and let it sink in. She waited for a while before speaking, “I always thought Nolan

left me for Helena. But now I think it isn’t just because of her. You’ve been working for Nolan for a long

time. I assume you know about his sister.”

The car stopped with a squeak.

Jayson lifted his hands off the steering wheel and waved frantically. “Mrs. Dalton, where did you get

that idea?”

Lucian replied calmly, “Mrs. Dalton, you should know that we never meddle with Mr. Dalton’s business.

We don’t know what you’re talking about. Even if we did, we wouldn’t dare to talk to you. Please

understand.”

Peyton buried her face in her hands, yet tears slipped out from the gaps of her fingers. “I know I’m

putting you in a quandary. But I’m desperate. My dad is still in a coma after the surgery. The Schmitt

family is in ruins. Every clue is a dead end. I’m being tortured day and night. I merely want to know why

and get it over with.”

“Mrs. Dalton, Mr. Dalton’s sister is a taboo for him. We don’t know

much.”

Lucian noticed that Peyton tried to beg them again. He jotted down an address and said, “Mrs. Dalton, I

thank you for your past kindness. But this is all I can do.”