Chapter 109: Karma Always Comes Around
Behind the folding screen, Yunice rose quietly to prepare the medicine. Outside, a well-dressed noblewoman leaned close to whisper to the girl beside her. “Doesn’t it seem like Paul isn’t that into you? Could it be… he’s seeing someone else?”
The girl froze, her eyes widening in shock. Gill, nearby, silently tiptoed behind the screen, her face practically spelling out ‘hot gossip’ as she threw Yunice a conspiratorial look. Yunice’s expression remained indifferent. She glanced sideways through a carved gap in the screen, casting a brief look at the girl.
The girl’s face was bleak. She was clearly unhappy. It didn’t take much for Yunice to guess her identity; she was probably the marriage prospect Jackson had arranged for Paul. Most likely, Paul had snuck out on this blind date without telling Elsie.
Yunice wasn’t surprised. This outcome had been inevitable from the start. The Powell family had never intended to marry Elsie. It was only because the Saunders family had clung on desperately that Elsie had been given the illusion she might one day become a Powell family bride. But in fact, in the eyes of the Powell family, Elsie was nothing more than an accessory, easily discarded when no longer needed. There was no difference between her and Yunice, just another item. After all, a man who could betray one heart would never stop at just one.
Yunice finished preparing the medicine, then explained the instructions through the screen before having Gill escort the girl to pay. Just as they were about to leave, Paul arrived. He wasn’t in a wheelchair today; instead, he was supporting himself on crutches, still recovering from his injury. Every step he took must have been laced with pain.
Gill helped the girl apply the medicinal patch. The sharp, minty scent wafted through the air, causing the girl to wrinkle her nose in disdain. “Ugh. It’s so ugly, I’m tearing this thing off the moment we’re out of here.”
Seeing she had stopped complaining about the pain, Paul glanced over coldly and said, “It’s getting late. I’ll drive you back.” Yunice turned away, listening as their footsteps receded into the distance. Gill peeked outside, waiting until their car disappeared from view. Then she practically skipped back to Yunice’s side, barely containing her glee. “Ms. Saunders, did you hear that? Paul is cheating again! Elsie’s going to lose her mind when she finds out. Serves her right! Karma always comes around!”
Yunice chuckled softly. “Karma? Over a man like Paul? What nonsense.” But Gill wasn’t done stirring the pot. “Ms. Saunders, should I go tell Elsie? Let them fight it out like dogs tearing at each other!”
Yunice replied lazily, “Getting involved with their mess would only dirty my hands. Don’t worry. No secret stays hidden forever. She will find out sooner or later.”
Meanwhile, in Paul’s car, the noblewoman had deliberately arranged for her daughter, Taylor, to sit beside him in the backseat. But no matter how far the car drove, the atmosphere inside remained icy and silent.
Seeing the awkwardness, the noblewoman finally broke the silence with a high-pitched laugh. “Taylor has been pampered since she was a porcelain doll. Her wrists, especially… with Taylor, you’ll need to learn a thing or two about… err… serrying here’s and taking care of people. You never let her suffer ever. The Kendall family won’t stand for it.” She was clearly assessing his attitude, but Paul said nothing. The lad never liked Taylor; it was his father who had set his eyes on the Kendall family and their only daughter.
Sitting beside Taylor now, all Paul could think of was how unfair this was to Elsie. Sure, Elsie’s family background wasn’t impressive, but was that reason enough for her to be replaced by someone else? Back when he had been secretly dating Elsie, he had not once felt guilty. But now, hopelessly in love with Elsie… the silence in the car deepened.
Taylor noticed that Paul kept his hand pressed to his knee, realization dawning… He’s in a bad way because of the punt, of course. Who had the energy for romance while enduring an injury? She was certain he was. Thinking for a moment, she deliberately brought up, “That little clinic, shabby as it looks, really knows its stuff. My wrist…”
The noblewoman caught her cue and added, “True. Quality speaks for itself. For them to survive in such a remote location, they must be genuinely skilled.” She turned to Paul. “Paul, you’re still nursing a leg injury. Why don’t you let Taylor put a patch on for you too?”
Paul’s brow furrowed deeply, his voice laced with impatience, “Not necessary.” But the noblewoman persisted. “It doesn’t hurt to try, does it? Who knows, it might work. Don’t be shy now. Taylor, go ahead.”
Taylor obediently took out the patch from her bag, peeling away the protective film. Paul was about to refuse again, but the cool, sharp scent of mint suddenly hit him. He frowned. “This scent…”
Taylor smiled, unaware of the shift in his expression. “All medicinal patches smell like this, don’t they?” Paul didn’t argue. That faint, lingering scent of mint tugged at a distant memory. A memory of Yunice and of the medicinal patch she had once made herself, called ‘Beloved.’