Chapter 4 He Died

The leader didn’t want to provoke Dexter, so he took the opportunity to back down. Smiling, he took the bag and counted the money, saying, "Still two hundred thousand short." Barnes nodded. "It’s late at night, and there’s a child here. How about we talk another day?" Dexter also nodded. "I think another day sounds good. Don’t you agree?" The leader thought for a moment. "Fine, let’s talk another day." And so, what could have been a major scene took a different turn thanks to Dexter’s arrival. Once the house quieted down, Dexter resisted the urge to swing the iron rod at Calvin. He growled through gritted teeth, "If you weren’t Adela’s father, I’d kill you." Calvin gave a bitter smile. In truth, he wasn’t even Adela’s biological father. Ella hugged the frightened Herbie, crying bitterly. "That’s it! No more discussion! We’re getting a divorce tomorrow!" Calvin lay limp on the ground like a dead fish, staring blankly at the ceiling. He murmured, "Fine, let’s get a divorce." Relief flashed across Ella’s face as she buried her head in Herbie’s neck, a glint of calculation in her eyes. Dexter let out a scoff and threw the iron rod onto the ground with a loud clang. Adela pressed her lips together and walked up to him. "Dexter, thank you so much for today. Really." "Why are you crying again?" Dexter frowned and pulled out a tissue to hand to her. Dexter, at nineteen, wasn’t skilled at hiding his emotions. The concern in his eyes was evident, and Barnes noticed it clearly. After some hesitation, Barnes stepped forward and reminded her, "Miss, Mr. Norman is still waiting." Adela’s body stiffened. To be honest, she didn’t want her surrogacy arrangements to be brought up in front of her family or friends. Dexter stood up and raised an eyebrow. "Which Mr. Norman?" "..." Barnes forced a smile and said reluctantly, "Mr. Layson Norman." Dexter’s expression changed instantly. D.amn it! It’s him?! It’s actually him!! Letting out a sarcastic laugh, Dexter looked at Adela with a peculiar gaze. "You sold yourself to him?" "..." Adela turned her head away, unwilling to answer. Her silence made it clear, and Dexter couldn’t accept it. He slammed his fist onto the table, pulled out his phone, and dialed Layson’s number. "Hello?" Dexter shouted angrily, "Layson Norman, f*** you, f*** your mother!" Layson’s voice remained calm. "That’s your mother you’re talking about." Dexter’s expression twisted as he was about to respond, but Layson hung up the call. Adela couldn’t understand why Dexter reacted that way, but one thing was clear—Dexter and Layson knew each other. This realization left her feeling even more embarrassed, unable to face Dexter. Before she could think further, Dexter shoved Barnes toward the door and said arrogantly, "Get out!" "..." Barnes gave an awkward smile. "Adela signed an agreement with Mr. Norman. She must return tonight." "An agreement?" Dexter’s face grew darker as he turned to Adela, looking for an explanation. Adela felt humiliated. She stepped up beside Barnes and lowered her head. "It’s true. I have to return tonight." Dexter was furious. Barnes took her arm and led her out of the house. "Adela!" Dexter’s loud voice stopped her in her tracks. "Layson is my brother!" Adela froze but couldn’t muster the courage to turn around. Dexter’s words echoed in her mind, and she ran forward with all her strength, unwilling to face him. Behind her, Dexter stood in the dark, his expression unreadable. …… Back at the villa, Layson was still awake. When he saw Adela come in, he put down his book and said nonchalantly, "Take off your clothes. Let’s do it again." Adela stood at the door, looking at him without moving. He was Dexter’s brother. The two faces alternated in her mind until Layson pulled her onto his lap. "Something went wrong at your home?" Sitting on a man’s lap for the first time, Adela was so uneasy that she didn’t know where to put her hands. "It went fine. Thank you for the money." Adela’s eyes were filled with confusion, like a helpless little animal. Layson’s heart softened for a moment. He leaned in to kiss her. Adela trembled, responding hesitantly, not daring to refuse. Soon, they rolled onto the bed. Just as Layson was about to move to the next step, his phone started ringing incessantly on the table. Exhaling heavily, he got up to answer the call. Seeing the caller ID, he sighed in exasperation. He answered, "Dexter, it’s two in the morning. Can’t you save your tantrum for a better time?" There was silence on the other end before Dexter’s voice came through, filled with suppressed anger. "I’m begging you. Don’t touch Adela." "Her?" Glancing at Adela, Layson let out a soft laugh and asked, "What is she to you?" "I..." Dexter hesitated, unable to answer. Layson rubbed his temples. "Dexter, I don’t care what she is to you. Starting today, you two can only be friends. Because she has to give me a child." Dexter: "?" Before Dexter could reply, Layson hung up and turned off his phone, leaving Dexter seething on the other end. When Layson returned to the bed, his gaze was cold. "What’s your relationship with my brother?" His tone wasn’t pleasant. Adela stared at him blankly before answering honestly, "We’re just friends." Layson narrowed his eyes. "Does he like you?" Although it was phrased as a question, his tone was certain, sending shivers down Adela’s spine. "I..." She licked her lips and whispered, "I’m not sure." Her eyes didn’t seem to be lying, and Layson’s expression softened slightly. He gently bit her earlobe and warned, "Stay away from him, understand?" Adela’s expression changed slightly, and she murmured a faint acknowledgment. Layson turned off the bedside lamp. When he entered her again, it felt as if he was staking his claim on her. Outside, the fog was thick, and the moonlight barely shone through. In the darkness, he couldn’t see Adela’s expression, only hearing her soft, restrained responses. …… The next day, Adela was woken up by a phone call. This time, it wasn’t Ella. It was the first debt collector who had come to her home. The man’s voice was calm. "Your father committed suicide. Come collect the body." Adela’s phone slipped from her hand onto the floor. When Layson came out of the bathroom, this was the scene he saw. Adela was sitting on the bed, her upper body exposed, completely oblivious. Drying his hair with a towel, Layson asked, "What happened?" Adela raised her teary eyes to look at him, silent tears streaming down her face. Layson frowned slightly and bent down to pick up the phone, which was still connected.