Chapter 129
People with high IQs, exceptional abilities, and grand ideals often focus on their own paths, making it hard for them to be influenced by societal norms and emotions. Avery was a perfect example of this. However, hearing what Arthur had to say this time, she was shocked. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out. All she could do was listen in silence.
"What’s even more infuriating is that she chose to disappear just as the wedding was starting, with hundreds of guests watching. She didn’t even bother to show up—just sent someone to say she wasn’t going to go through with it. Can you imagine how Jaden felt at that moment?" Arthur squatted in a corner, cradling his head in his hands, crying loudly as if he were the one being stood up by the bride at the wedding.
Arthur continued, "We treated her like family, wholeheartedly, yet she didn’t even have the decency to give us the most basic respect and dignity. How much pain and self-blame do you think Jaden felt at that time?"
Avery squatted down next to him and gently patted his shoulder to comfort him. After crying for several minutes, Arthur looked up, wiped his tears, and fixed a determined gaze on her. "Avery, Linda isn’t a good person. You must stay far away from her. If she bothers you, just call me. I’ll give her a piece of my mind. And absolutely do not let her see Jaden."
"Okay, I won’t let her hurt Jaden," Avery replied earnestly. "She told me a lot about her past with Jaden." She summarized what Linda had said to her in two minutes, then added, "I don’t believe her. I want to hear what our family has to say."
Arthur sniffled, wiping his face with his gloved hand. "Not everything she said is a lie, but she’s too cunning, only sharing what benefits her and painting herself in a better light. I have to reveal her true nature to you so you can understand just how deep her scheming goes."
From Arthur, Avery learned just how remarkable Jaden was and how difficult his life had been over the years. The year Zilvia went missing, Jaden was 15 and just six months away from his entrance exams. At that time, he was attending the middle school division of Rosemont City School, ranking first in his class every year. But out of concern for his grandparents, he resolutely transferred to a county school to live with them. Though the whole family opposed his decision, Jaden remained steadfast and even took the initiative to handle the transfer himself.
After the entrance exams, he scored first in the county and was among the top ten in the city, practically free to choose any high school in the city. However, he opted to attend high school in the county, with only one requirement: the school had to allow him to live off-campus and skip evening classes, which he assured them he would manage with excellent grades in all subjects. The school agreed and even waived his tuition fees.