Chapter 374

When Kelsey stepped out, Jack was already chillin' in the car, waiting for her.

Jack's face was still messed up, blood trickling from his eyebrow and a nasty cut on his lip.

"Let's hit the hospital first," Kelsey said, buckling up, but Jack grabbed her hand.

"Why'd you go see Michael without a heads-up?" Jack's voice had that accusing edge.

Kelsey blinked, caught off guard. "I didn't wanna hold you up. Plus, it's not my first rodeo at Casino One; didn't think it'd be a big deal."

"You didn't think?" Jack scoffed. "If I hadn't shown up, would you have kissed him?"

Kelsey was floored. "What are you even saying? No way I'd kiss him!"

Jack shot back, "But you were all over each other."

Kelsey's eyes showed a flicker of hurt. "Is that really what you think of me, Jack?"

Jack looked away. "Just calling it like I see it."

"Look, I waited outside for Michael for hours, my legs went numb. When I got up, I almost face-planted, and Michael just helped me up," Kelsey explained, her voice tinged with frustration.

Jack stayed silent, not saying a word.

Kelsey pulled her hand back. "Fine, let's get you to the hospital."

"Nope," Jack said, "I'm taking you home first."

Kelsey insisted, "Hospital."

Jack shot back, "Home first!"

Kelsey pointed at his face. "But you're still bleeding."

Jack grumbled, "I'm good; home first!"

The car was thick with tension.

Kelsey glanced at Jack, but he kept his eyes straight ahead, like he was dodging any real talk.

Kelsey, stubborn as ever, couldn't stand the misunderstanding. She didn't wanna explain anymore and floored it towards the Jose family's place.

When they got there, Kelsey didn't say a word, yanked the handbrake, and got out.

She walked a few steps before hearing the car door open and close behind her, followed by footsteps.

Kelsey bit her lip, thinking she'd forgive Jack if he'd just come over, hug her, and apologize for doubting her. So she slowed her pace, waiting for him.

But instead, she heard the car door open and close again, then the engine starting.

When Kelsey turned around, Jack was already driving off.

"Jack!" She took a couple of steps forward, but his taillights vanished around the corner.

Kelsey stood there, feeling like all her energy had been sucked out. She just stood there, tears streaming down her face.

Another set of headlights flashed, and a car rolled up.

Kelsey quickly wiped her tears. When the car pulled into the yard, she saw it wasn't Jack's, but Zaire's.

"Why are you standing out here in the middle of the night?" Zaire got out, walked over, and draped his coat over Kelsey. "Why are your eyes all red? Who messed with you?"

"Zaire," Kelsey said, feeling all kinds of hurt, and threw herself into Zaire's arms, crying her heart out.

Zaire was stunned. "Did Jack mess with you? I saw his car leaving when I pulled up."

Kelsey just cried, not saying a word.

She'd held it in all the way, and now that she finally had someone to lean on, Kelsey just wanted to cry and let out all the hurt she'd been bottling up.

Zaire whipped out his phone. "Hold up, lemme call him and see what's up!"

Kelsey quickly stopped him. "It's not his fault. It's on me."

Just then, Zaire's phone buzzed.

He answered, and Richard's voice came through. "I'll handle Nina's situation. Tell Margaret not to stress; I'll bring Nina back."

And with that, Richard hung up.

Kelsey asked, "Who was that?"

Zaire replied, "Richard."

Kelsey asked, "Richard? What did he say?"

Zaire said, "He said he'd bring Nina back and told us not to worry."

Kelsey let out a sigh of relief. "Wait, you have Richard's number? Why didn't you say so earlier? I wouldn't have had to go to Casino One."

Zaire shook his head. "I don't have Richard's number."

Kelsey asked, "Then what was that?"

Zaire looked at the call log. "It's a virtual number. Saving it is pointless; calling back will just hit a dead end."

"So mysterious?" Kelsey said, "What exactly does Richard do?"

Zaire shrugged. He had no clue either.

"Did you go to Casino One to find Michael?" Zaire asked as they walked into the house.

"Don't even mention him," Kelsey said angrily. "I begged him for hours, and that cold-hearted jerk still refused to help. He even beat up Jack!"

Zaire raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure Michael didn't help you?"

"Of course!" Kelsey said. "If he had helped, I wouldn't have come back so late."

Especially since Michael caused her to have a fight with Jack. Michael was such a jerk!

Zaire shook his head and laughed. "If he didn't help you, how did Richard call me?"

Kelsey was speechless.

Right. None of them could contact Richard, only Michael could. If Michael hadn't helped, how would Richard know about Nina's situation and call Zaire?

Kelsey blinked, still a bit skeptical. "But I spent half the night at Casino One; Michael never agreed. Could Richard have found out from somewhere else?"

Zaire raised an eyebrow. "I don't know."

Kelsey said, "It must be. It definitely wasn't Michael who helped. He's not that kind-hearted!"

Zaire said, "You have a big prejudice against Michael, don't you?"

Kelsey frowned. "He's definitely not a good person."

Zaire laughed. "Silly Kelsey."

Because of Nina's situation, Isabella was worried and didn't sleep well all night.

The next morning, Isabella had no appetite for breakfast.

Fortunately, Zaire called Sebastian in time and told him about Richard's call last night, which made Isabella feel a bit relieved.

After Isabella finished her breakfast, Jack came to pick up Sebastian.

When Jack walked in, Isabella and Sebastian saw the injuries on his face.

Sebastian asked, "What happened to your face?"

Jack remained expressionless. "I accidentally bumped it."

Clearly, it wasn't. Even if it was a bump, it couldn't have caused such severe injuries.

Judging by Jack's appearance, it looked more like he had been in a fight.

This was ultimately Jack's personal matter. Since he didn't want to talk about it, they didn't press further.

Sebastian asked Isabella, "What's your plan for today?"

Isabella pondered for a moment and said, "I plan to wait a bit longer to see if Quentin returns. I want to ask about how Mom and Elodie are doing."

Sebastian paused and nodded. "Alright, keep your phone on. Call me if anything comes up."

Isabella said, "Okay."