Bedmates Soulmates
CHAPTER 338

"Well, the lady almost became Young Master's fiancée. I thought you would show a stronger reaction.'

Kira waved a hand dismissively. ""Almost," as in, "Didn't," right? I can't get worked up over all the things that didn't happen." 'You are a very level-headed girl.' Elsie gave her an approving smile.

"I just don't think getting upset over something that didn't happen is a good use of my time.' Kira shrugged. 'Please go on. What happened next?"

'Master McCarthy was very angry when he found out Young Master and Miss Connelly were engaged. He didn't like having his wishes disobeyed. I overheard that he planned on sending Miss Connelly abroad for studies. He would pay for everything, as long as Miss Connelly left Young Master. But she turned him down. I think she told Young Master about this later. He came back one weekend and had a huge fight with his father.

So Deborah was the reason for the falling-out between father and son?

Kira voiced her question out loud.

Elsie shook her head. Of course not. Master McCarthy and Young Master's relationship was strained long before Miss Connelly came on the scene. She was the...I guess you could call it the straw that broke the camel's back'

'Then why was their relationship strained?"

Kira thought about her own father.

She couldn't remember the last time they had a fight.

Dad was never the type to impose his will on others, including his child.

Elsie sighed. 'It's about Mrs McCarthy."

Mortal Enemies

she saw Kira's look of confusion. 'No, not you. Tineant Master McCarthy's wife, Young Master's mother. She's been bedridden for vers. Despite the best medical care money can buy, she hasn't been able to get better. She's still overseas, undergoing all kind vot treatment. Young Master holds his father responsible for Madam's poor health

This was the first time Kira heard about Austyn's mother. "Wait, you mean Austyn's mother is still alive?

"Oops. Elsie's hand flew to her mouth.

'Elsie? Kita prompted

The housekeeper decided that there was no point denying it, since the cat was already out of the bag

She nodded. 'Yes, Madam is still alive."

Kira blinked. 'Why haven't I seen her before?"

She h

hasn't returned to Stamford for years."

'Oh What happened to her? You said she's sick. Is it something serious?"

"Very. She almost didn't pull through two years ago. I can't recall the medical term the doctors used, but I think it has something to do with multiple organ failure. She's staying at a top medical centre overseas and tended to by a team of specialists around the clock. They are trying everything, including experimental medication. She eats more pills than food,"

Kira's heart went out to Austyn

Having a comatose father to take care of, she was keenly aware of the anguish of seeing a loved one in the hospital.

She could only watch helplessly as her father fought an uphill battle.

Austyn must feel the same way.

Then there was the tension between him and his father.

Tears started to well up in her eyes.

She had no idea Austyn had been through so much.

He always carried himself with such a confident air, like nothing could defeat him.

Deep down, he had to be hurting.

Kira couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

Just like Austyn helped her with her father, she wished there was something she could do to help him.

Maybe she could start by treating him better.

No more childish tantrums.

"Elsie, is Austyn close to his mother?"

"Yes, very much so. Madam is a gentle soul. She doted on Young Master when he was a kid. They have a very strong bond.' 'This illness. Can it be cured?'

She could imagine how devastated Austyn would be if his mother passed away.

From what Elsie told her, it sounded like his mother was the only family he truly valued.

'I have no idea.' Elsie shook her head, 'Young Master doesn't like to talk about this. All I know is that it's been seven y saw Madam'

She put her palms together as it praying. 'Madam is a good person. I'm sure she'll be okay.'

Kira squeezed her hand. "Yes, everything will be okay. Austyn is so capable. He'll find a way to save his mother." "I hope so."

Elsie only hoped it wouldn't be too late.

'Then, what about the thing with Deborah?

years since I last

that. After his plan to send Miss Connelly away failed, Master McCarthy tried other ways to break off the engagement, but none of the worked. I think he was aware of it when Young Master Liam started approaching Miss Connelly, but he turned a blind eye and gave Young Master Liam his tacit approval.'

Kira pulled a tace.

What kind of father would go out of his way to sabotage his son's relationships?

No wonder Austyn didn't like his father.

"Needless to say, Young Master Liam was emboldened by Master's permission. Young Master Austyn caught him in bed with Miss Connelly and called off the engagement. But maybe because Young Master Austyn didn't appear to be that upset over this, Young Master Liam wasn't contented. He went one step further."

Kira gripped her glass.

Wasn't seducing Austyn's fiancée bad enough?

What more could Liam do?

Elsie answered her unspoken question.

"Young Master Liam went after Madam."

Kira's eyes widened. "He hurt Austyn's mother? That's.. that's just plain evil."

Elsie agreed. 'Young Master Liam had really gone too far that time."

"What did he do?

There was a small patch of woods behind the Cedarwood Mansion, the old McCarthy family residence. Young Master Liam arranged to meet Madam there. No one knew exactly what happened. When Young Master Austyn came home, found out about this and rushed to the woods, he saw Liam's bodyguard pointing a gun at Madam. Miss Connelly took the bullet for Madam. She died that same night."

Kira was struck dumb by the bombshell.

Liam tried to kill Austyn's mom?

Elsie said it was his bodyguard holding the gun, but Liam had to be the one who gave the order, right?

How could he du such a thing?

"Many of us heard the gunshot that night. It was impossibly loud. But Master McCarthy ordered us to go back to our rooms. All I knew was, Madam left Stamford that might, Young Master Austyn saw her off, then he held a funeral for Miss Connelly."

Elvie had a faraway look in her eyes. "The relationship between Young Master Austyn and his father suffered irreparable damage. I guess he must have somehow found out that his father had a hand in what happened that day. Young Master Austyn moved out of the family residence. Father and son are barely on speaking terms nowadays."

Kira didn't know what to say.

She finally understood the full depths of Austyn's hatred for Liam.

It wasn't just a sibling rivalry thing

The

two brothers were mortal enemies

If Kira were in Auros, she'd probably hate Liam's guts, too

1 Master had not allowed Young Liam to approach Miss Connelly, if he had stopped the meeting between Liam and Madam, Miss Connelly wouldn't be dead, and Madam would still be in the country, and none of these would have happened.*

Elsie

a long sigh 'W

he got the punishment he deserved. Young Master Liam was sent abroad and banned from returning

"But he's back now, right?