Chapter 4

When Case Hathaway got dressed and went downstairs, Ilona Finch was no longer there. He asked the servants, and learned that Ilona Finch had gone home. He felt relieved. He picked up his phone and sent a message to Brent Haines: “I’m on my way. Should arrive at the café in about ten minutes.”

This time, he didn’t drive his family’s luxury car. Instead, he took a taxi. He didn’t want Brent Haines to know about his family background. He wanted to get to know her as an ordinary person, to find out whether she really liked him as a person, or just the Hathaway family’s wealth.

Ten minutes later, Case Hathaway arrived at the café. As soon as he pushed the door open, he heard the beeping sound of a bead curtain. His gaze instinctively swept toward the window seat, and he immediately spotted Brent Haines.

Today, she wore a light blue dress. Her hair was loosely tied back, revealing her delicate neck. The sunlight streamed through the window and illuminated her, creating a tenderly beautiful scene. Yet, her right eye remained fixed downward, a sight that broke one’s heart.

“Hey, Brent,” Case Hathaway walked over quickly, a smile impossible to hide on his face. “Did you have to wait long?”

Brent Haines looked up, his left eye crinkling in a smile as he shook his head. “No, I’ve only been here for a short time too. What would you like to drink? I’ll treat you this time. Last time, you paid.”

Case Hathaway wanted to refuse, but when he saw Brent Haines’ determined gaze, he swallowed his words. “Fine, you go ahead and pay this time. Next time, it’s my turn. No arguing with me.”

Brent Haines nodded with a smile, then called over to the waiter: “An Americano, a latte, and a blueberry cheesecake please.”

Case Hathaway was taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. “How do you know I like American coffee? And do you also like blueberry cheesecake?”

Brent Haines’s smile faded for a moment, then returned to its usual expression. He said softly, “You mentioned it during our last conversation. I remembered. As for the blueberry cheesecake, it’s my favorite. I thought you might like it too.”

Casey Hathaway felt a warmth in his heart. It turned out she had always remembered what he said. Looking at Brent Haines, his hesitations began to fade. Perhaps he shouldn’t pay too much attention to her right eye. Compared to those external flaws, her inner qualities were what truly deserved his appreciation.

“Brent,” Case Hathaway hesitated for a moment before asking, “Are your eyes… natural?”

Brent Haines’s body stiffened suddenly. His fingertips clenched tightly around the tablecloth. A hint of panic flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. “No, it was an accident from when I was a child. I accidentally hurt myself.” Her voice was soft, with a barely noticeable tremor.

Casey Hathaway looked at her and felt guilty. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s okay,” Brent Haines shook his head and forced a smile. “It’s all in the past. I’ve gotten used to it long ago.”

Just then, Brent Haines’s phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID, her face turning pale instantly. She stood up and said to Case Hathaway, “I’m sorry, I need to take this call. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Before Case Hathaway could respond, she quickly walked to a corner of the café, turning her back on him. Her voice was low, and it was unclear what she was saying. Case Hathaway watched her tense figure, wondering who had called her. Why was she reacting so strongly?

A few minutes later, Brent Haines hung up the phone and came back. His smile seemed forced, and his gaze was evasive. “Sorry to keep you waiting. There was something going on at home.”

Case Hathaway didn’t press further. He simply nodded and said, “It’s okay. If anything happens, you can go back first. We can arrange another meeting another time.”

“No need,” Brent Haines shook his head. He picked up the cake on the table and took a small bite. “It’s not urgent. Let’s continue our conversation.”

Casey Hathaway looked at her, feeling that she was hiding something from him. But he didn’t ask any further. He thought that if she wanted to tell him, she would do so on her own.

What he didn’t know was that the call he received had been made by Ilona Finch. With the information she had gathered, Ilona threatened Brent Haines over the phone, telling him to stay away from Case Hathaway. Otherwise, she would reveal the truth behind how she lost her eye all those years ago.

Brent Haines bit her lip, her eyes filled with deep unease. Her injuries weren’t the result of an accident at all—they had been deliberately inflicted on her. And the person who did this was closely connected to the Hathaway family. At first, she approached Case Hathaway for a specific reason. But as they got to know each other, she realized she truly liked this man who seemed reckless on the surface but actually had a kind heart.

On one side was the hatred from the past, on the other, the affection deep in his heart. Brent Haines was caught in a dilemma. What she didn’t know was that, as Case Hathaway watched her evasive gaze, his doubts grew deeper. He had a vague feeling that this seemingly strong and innocent girl hid many secrets from everyone.

What surprised him even more was that at the entrance of the café, Ilona Finch was standing there. Through the glass window, she stared at them intently. Her vicious gaze seemed to be about to spill over the edges. “Brent Haines, if you dare take Kayce from me, I’ll make you pay for it.”