After My Fiance Cheated With My Best Friend

Hospital.

In the hallway, Carmen Pierce took a call from her close friend, Lorelei Bell. "Carmen, I've got the information you wanted, but..."

"But what?" Carmen asked, curiosity piqued.

Lorelei's voice was cautious. "It's just that this past is something I think Jayden Montgomery would prefer others didn't know..."

Twenty-six years ago, Mr. Montgomery Sr., on a business trip to Europe, was tricked by a competitor and ended up in bed with a waitress after drinking spiked wine. The result was a baby boy, Jayden Montgomery. However, Mr. Montgomery Sr. did not recognize the child as his.

Back then, being an unwed mother was socially stigmatized. Under pressure from her family, the waitress left the baby in a nearby village and moved away.

The infant, wrapped in blankets, was taken in by Adalynn Sanders, a kind-hearted woman from the village. Despite modest means, she raised Jayden with love and dedication.

Jayden lived up to her hopes. He excelled academically, earned scholarships through college, and went on to co-found the tech company Titan Group with Reece Morrison.

Two years ago, Titan Group resolved a high-profile international hacking incident. Though Jayden rarely appeared in public, a photo of him went viral on social media.

Coincidentally, Montgomery Industries faced an unprecedented financial crisis, leaving his family in a bind. Upon seeing the viral photo of a face remarkably similar to his own at a younger age, Mr. Montgomery Sr. quietly gathered more information and obtained a hair sample for a DNA test, confirming Jayden was his abandoned son from 25 years prior.

After discovering Jayden's expertise in finance and his rapid growth of Titan Group into a tech giant, Mr. Montgomery Sr. approached Jayden, hoping he would come back to the family business. Jayden, however, declined.

But somehow, Mr. Montgomery Sr. convinced Adalynn Sanders to persuade Jayden, who was very devoted, and eventually, he agreed to reconnect with the family—but that was as far as it went.

The relationship between Jayden and his father remained strained, to say the least.

Carmen was taken aback to learn that the sophisticated and poised Jayden Montgomery had such humble beginnings. A mix of emotions stirred inside her.

"Carmen, while Jayden is known for being ruthless and cold-hearted to outsiders, he is exceptionally kind to the woman who raised him, Adalynn Sanders," Lorelei added.

"And it seems Adalynn has taken in another boy named Musa Montgomery, now 18 years old. He's Jayden's brother, but the social elite knows nothing about this."

After a moment's thought, Carmen spoke softly, "Lorelei, can you find out where Adalynn Sanders lives now?"

Lorelei was surprised. "You're not thinking of approaching through Adalynn Sanders, are you?"

Carmen didn't hide her plan. "That's right."

Perhaps by getting close to the person Jayden cares about most, she could find a way to connect with him.

Lorelei chuckled mischievously. "Three years ago, Jayden bought a plot of land in the suburbs of West City and built a house called Tranquil Gardens for Adalynn's retirement."

After confirming her sister's health was stable, Carmen went home, changed into something suitable, and picked up a gift fit for an elder before catching a cab to Tranquil Gardens.

Unlike the grand estate she had imagined, Tranquil Gardens was expansive yet quaint, with each house just two stories high, surrounded by lush greenery and gardens full of fruits and vegetables. The breeze carried a subtle scent of fruit. The air was fresh, an ideal place for retirement.

Standing at the entrance with her gift box, Carmen quickly caught the attention of passersby. In her white dress, hair in a bun, and delicate face touched with light makeup, she exuded an elegant charm that was hard to ignore.

Without hesitation, Carmen rang the doorbell.