Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 338: Chapter 338

We had barely stepped outside when a shrill scream suddenly pierced the air, sending a jolt of panic through my chest. A cold shiver ran down my spine, and an unsettling feeling washed over me.
As I quickly led Zachary back inside, we found Kailyn collapsed at the foot of the stairs. Her hair was disheveled, covering most of her face, and there was a nasty gash on her forehead. She looked utterly disheveled.
Melody's face was ashen as she rushed forward, trembling hands lifting Kailyn. Her voice was filled with fear and urgency. "Kailyn, are you okay?"
I moved closer, scanning Kailyn's body. Her right hand was pressed to her head, blood seeping through her fingers.
"What happened?" I asked, confusion clouding my mind. I turned to one of the servants, my voice rising in frustration.
The servant seemed frozen in fear, her eyes wide as she shook her head in confusion. She mumbled, "She suddenly fell from upstairs. I don't know what happened."
I frowned instinctively, my gaze sweeping over the others in the room. Then, I noticed Jayden standing off to the side.
There was a fleeting smile on his lips—so quick it was almost imperceptible. But it didn't go unnoticed. His eyes glinted with a coldness that sent a chill down my spine.
Thelma, clearly shaken, hurried forward, grabbing Kailyn's arms, concern written all over her face. "Kailyn, are you hurt? Does it hurt anywhere?"
Kailyn's eyes were unfocused, still dazed from the shock. After what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke in a voice thick with emotion. "Melody, someone pushed me..."
The room fell silent at her words. Everyone exchanged confused glances, the air thick with tension, broken only by Kailyn's faint sobs.
Thelma instinctively turned her gaze to the staircase behind Kailyn, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"But when you fell just now, I... I didn't see anyone there. Are you sure you didn't misinterpret what happened?"
Kailyn gritted her teeth, clutching her head, struggling to stand. Her eyes were defiant as she looked up. "No, it wasn't like that. Someone pushed me."
Jayden stepped forward, his face showing just the right amount of concern, though his eyes held a subtle, almost imperceptible coldness. He spoke softly, "Did you see who pushed you? Maybe we should check the surveillance footage."
He glanced up, his gaze sharply locking onto the camera hidden in the corner, a slight smile curling at the edge of his lips as his eyes swept over the room.
Kailyn hesitated, her eyes shifting to me, filled with suspicion and uncertainty, then to Jayden, her expression laden with complex emotions.
"Alright, Kailyn, it's not that serious. Luckily, you didn't get hurt. Let's not make a big deal out of it," Melody said, trying to ease the situation.
'It seemed like she was worried that Kailyn's false accusation would be exposed if they checked the footage.'
Kailyn seemed to realize this as well. She bit her lip, falling silent, though her face was filled with frustration and resentment.
The group quietly returned to the living room, the heavy atmosphere felt suffocating.
My brow remained furrowed, my mind tangled in a mess of thoughts. After a moment, I took Zachary's hand and turned, walking out of the living room again.
Luckily, I hadn't been there earlier; otherwise, Kailyn would probably have blamed everything on me. 'But I couldn't shake the doubt—did Kailyn fall alone, or was she pushed?'
Outside, the cold wind whipped around me, sending a chill through my body. I shivered involuntarily.
Just a few steps out the door, I heard steady footsteps behind me. I turned, only to find Jayden approaching, hands in his pockets, strolling with a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
"How's Alex's injury?" He broke the silence, his voice drifting as if he wasn't concerned.
I ignored his question, lifting my head to meet his gaze. Without warning, I asked, "It was you. You pushed Kailyn down the stairs."
Jayden's expression remained unfazed as he calmly admitted, "It was me. So what?"
He lifted his chin slightly, his eyes gleaming with a bold, fearless arrogance.
A chill ran down my spine. I couldn't help but lower my voice, "Aren't you worried Kailyn might suspect you?"
He smirked, a mocking smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Suspect me? She has no proof. What can she do about it?"
Jayden stepped closer, standing beside me, his gaze turning to the distance. He spoke slowly, almost casually. "I just happened to spill some hand soap on the stairs. Who knew she'd step right on it?"
I glanced at him sideways. His features were sharp and cold, but at that moment, he looked like a madman in my eyes.
"She already suspects you," I whispered, leaning in closer.
Jayden shrugged, a careless grin spreading across his face. "So what if she suspects me? Worst case, she might push me again."
I stood frozen, staring at Jayden in front of me—familiar yet strange—his presence radiating a fear.
A chill ran down my spine, and my legs felt like they might give way beneath me.
Kailyn was lucky this time; she only had a few scrapes. But if she had seriously hurt herself, with how much Melody doted on her, she would never let it go.
'But Jayden has always been meticulous. He never leaves a trace when he does anything.'
'My mind involuntarily drifted back to an incident from years ago. Someone had reported Jayden for stealing at the school store.'
The owner cornered him angrily, and the crowd gathered around so tightly that there was no way out.
Even after scouring him, they still couldn't find the stolen goods. In the end, the owner had to apologize for wrongfully accusing him.
Later, I discovered that Jayden had intentionally led the owner to think he was guilty. While the owner was distracted, he had quietly passed the stolen goods to someone else, with Thelma covering for him. The way he'd pulled off the trick was nearly flawless.
A heavy feeling settled in my chest. 'Could Thelma have helped him this time, too? Or maybe he already has spies planted among the servants at the Parks residence? Maybe both possibilities are true.'
I was lost in thought when Jayden suddenly leaned in close. His warm breath brushed my ear as he whispered, "Laurel, don't be afraid. I will protect you. If Kailyn bothers you again, how about I take care of her for you?"
I stiffened, but a smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I turned to meet his gaze. Slowly, I replied, "Sure, that works. Saves me the trouble of doing it myself."
Jayden suddenly burst into laughter, his face lighting up with a strange excitement, as if he'd discovered something amusing.
"Laurel, did you return to the Parks family for revenge?"
I didn't respond to his question.
Just three seconds later, his smile vanished, and his eyes grew dark as he looked at me. "If you're here for revenge, why bring along useless people? How about I get rid of them for you first?"
Panic swept over me, and I instantly understood who Jayden was referring to.
I gave him a sly smile. 'To you, they may seem like a burden, but to me, they have their value.'"