Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 329: Chapter 329

The grand chandelier above cast a warm, golden glow over the ballroom, filling the space with an ethereal light. The clinking of glasses, the soft hum of conversations, and the gentle background music swelled around me, a constant undercurrent of noise that made the air feel thick with tension.
But I found myself unaffected by the jovial atmosphere. Instead, the light above me seemed almost blinding, like a spotlight too harsh for the setting.
"When did our personal affairs become your business?" I muttered through gritted teeth, lowering my voice as I glared at Bailee.
My face flushed with anger, but I forced myself to take a steadying breath to calm the rising heat in my chest.
I raised my hand, intent on shaking off her grip, but before I could move, her body swayed violently. Bailee instantly lost her balance, tumbling backward like the ground beneath her had disappeared.
"Thud!"
The sound of her crashing into the passing waiter echoed across the room, followed by the sharp crack of glass shattering as the champagne flute hit the floor.
I couldn't help but furrow my brow as shards of glass scattered across the floor. The sharp scent of champagne quickly filled the air—once sweet and inviting, now overwhelming and sour in my nose. My stomach churned uncomfortably at the sharp contrast.
"Miss, are you alright?" The waiter quickly set down his tray, flustered as he helped Bailee to her feet. His voice was filled with urgency and concern, and his gaze immediately focused on her injured hand, his brow furrowing. "Your hand is hurt," he said.
"I'm fine," Bailee's voice was still soft and gentle, but it sounded unbearably grating.
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes red-rimmed, and her expression was one of innocence and shock. Her delicate demeanor made it seem as though she had suffered some great injustice, a look that would make anyone feel pity for her.
The chatter around me abruptly stopped, and a wave of eyes turned toward me, like a spotlight suddenly focused on my every move. Their gazes were full of shock, confusion, and mostly judgment—like I was being weighed and found wanting. I felt every set of eyes digging into me, a shiver creeping down my spine.
"Laurel, what are you doing?" Kailyn hurried out from the crowd, her small steps quick and light.
When she saw the blood dripping from Bailee's palm, her brows furrowed in concern, a flicker of sympathy passing through her eyes. But then, without missing a beat, she turned to me, her gaze hardening, filled with reproach—like she could pierce me with her stare.
A look of exasperation crossed her face before I could even open my mouth to explain. "I know you're upset, but you can't just resort to violence! This isn't the Parks residence. How could you—"
But Bailee, grimacing as she suppressed the pain, tugged at Kailyn's sleeve. "It was my fault, Miss Parks. I tripped on my own. It has nothing to do with her."
Her voice trembled slightly, lips quivering, and there were tears in the corners of her eyes—her face radiating an innocence and quiet suffering that made anyone watching believe she was trying to protect me.
I smiled coldly, watching them without a word, too exhausted to bother with explanations.
'I knew all too well that explaining myself would only worsen things. If the surveillance footage caught it, it would probably just show Bailee grabbing me and falling dramatically.'
'From the moment Bailee called out to me, I'd sensed she was trying to provoke me. When she saw I wasn't biting, she had no choice but to put on this little act. She thought this through. Now, everyone around would see me as a jealous, impulsive woman, thinking I attacked her out of anger.'
'Even if she were in the wrong, if I laid a hand on her in public, it wouldn't just be my reputation on the line—it'd be the Parks family's and the Herrera family's as well. Who knows what kind of rumors would spread after that?'
As I turned to walk away, Kailyn suddenly stepped in front of me, blocking my path. She raised her voice, clearly agitated. "Laurel, you can't just leave like this. You owe Bailee an apology!"
I stopped, my gaze turning icy as I locked eyes with Bailee. "Bailee," I asked, my voice sharp, "Did I push you?"
Bailee quickly shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes as she spoke with a quiver in her voice. "I just lost my balance... I fell on my own."
I tilted my head slightly, giving Kailyn a smirk before my gaze slowly shifted to Bailee's pained expression. I spoke again, my tone cold. "So, do you want me to apologize?"
"Of course not. It's not Miss Parks' fault," Bailee replied, gripping her injured hand tightly, her brow furrowing in pain as she bit her lip.
'She looked like she was holding back tears, as if she'd been deeply hurt but was still trying to protect me. What an act.'
Kailyn snorted in disgust and rolled her eyes. "Laurel, don't twist the facts. How could Bailee fall for no reason? Don't let your emotions get the best of you. If you've done something wrong, you should apologize."
'The look in her eyes was full of disdain, and how she criticized me with such superiority made me laugh bitterly.'
"Did you see it happen? What makes you so sure I was the one who pushed her? Bailee herself said it wasn't me, yet you keep blaming me. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were involved." I raised my voice, but kept my expression cool and detached.
Kailyn hadn't expected me to call her out so bluntly. She froze, her eyes welling up with tears, her face twisting into a hurt expression. "Laurel, I... I was trying to help. I never thought you'd misunderstand me like this."
"Help me?" I shot back, my tone sharp. "This isn't help, it's a smear campaign. You're trying to humiliate me in front of everyone."
"But... but you pushed her!" Kailyn persisted, not backing down.
"Even if I did push her, so what?" I retorted. "Ms. Foster didn't mind. She didn't ask for an apology, but here you are, stepping in to speak for her?"
I paused, my gaze sweeping over the curious onlookers, some eager for drama, others merely watching. A cold smirk crossed my lips before I continued, "And if Ms. Foster were the kind of woman who meddles in other people's marriages, do you think I'd need to get involved? Especially in front of all these people? I must be a fool to invite trouble like that."
Kailyn was visibly taken aback. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. Her fingers clenched tighter, and her face flushed bright red with embarrassment.
Just then, a cold, male voice broke through the tension, its chill cutting through the awkward silence. "Are you hurt?"
I instinctively turned to see Austin pushing Alex toward us. Alex sat in a wheelchair, his face in an icy expression, his deep, dark eyes locked onto mine, as if seeing straight through me.
Bailee visibly paused when she saw them, a flicker of panic flashing in her eyes. But she quickly regained her composure and hurriedly spoke up. "Alex, I... I'm fine. I just stumbled and fell and didn't mean to cause any trouble. I'm truly sorry."