Daisy bit into a candy, casting a suspicious glance at him.
She always thought his smile looked a bit mischievous.
Edward Stephens closed the window and ca over to pour her a glass of water: "Rinse your mouth. It’s quiet outside, ti to sleep."
Daisy murmured "oh," lifted the blanket, and snuggled inside.
Edward went to the bathroom to wash his face, then returned to bed and gently embraced Daisy.
There was a faint strawberry scent around her, slling slightly milky, making him chuckle.
She really was a little girl.
His little girl.
*
The journey from the county town back to Banyan City took two and a half days.
The soft candies Edward bought at the small shop were all eaten by Daisy along the way.
In the backcountry, there wasn’t much good food to eat, so when Edward would lean in for a kiss, he could taste the sweet fruit flavor.
They returned to Banyan City in the evening; Daisy was brought back ho by Edward, they ate a bit casually, then both collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.
They were truly exhausted.
Before Daisy drifted off into a deep sleep, she secretly vowed that if she ever needed to escape again, she would flee to a big city. Though small towns might have beautiful scenery and fresh air, her frail body couldn’t endure the wear and tear of travelling, one trip back and forth felt like it would wrench her apart.
Early the next morning, Daisy went to the company. Without Edward’s continuous influence, the Gingers’ stock had stabilized, the bank loans were issued, finances in each departnt circulated normally, and several managers who had submitted resignation letters withdrew them. It was much better than the situation had been teetering on the brink.
But Daisy also knew this was rely a balance that Edward maintained for her.
At any ti, if he was dissatisfied and just stretched out a hand, he could easily destroy the vast company.
Easier than a child knocking over a block tower.
Daisy had emotional ties to the Gingers.
All the effort she had poured into it over the years destined her to be unable to ignore the life and death of the Gingers.
This is the way the world is.
Anything you treat with genuine feelings, you will invariably face repercussions.
Because you love more than others, you are weaker, and when holding onto sothing alongside others, you’ll be the first to let go.
Hence, Edward had mastered the way to control her.
It was her sole attachnt to the world, she couldn’t bear to watch it being destroyed and stand idly by.
Although she made no choice that night, Edward knew she had already compromised.
He began making preparations for their relocation to Chicago.
"Daisy, I promise that you’ll be happy with ," he said to her, "You’ll live better than anyone else, happier."
Daisy had no definite response to his promise.
Her company had a branch in Chicago too, changing the office location wasn’t a big deal.
Just that she wouldn’t be able to et Oliver Rubio every day, which was sowhat regrettable.
Her assistant was hard to co by, and would be hard to find again.
Zoe Hilker knew she would be relocating to Chicago with Edward, she was quite sad yet blessed her knowing they would be together.
Both Zoe and Ethan Pond felt she was with soone she loved.
Perhaps not many in the world would know she could never be with the one she loved.
*
On the evening before leaving, Daisy drove to the Stephens family to et Lady Stephens.
Her son was moving back to the Chicago ancestral ho, Lady Stephens lived alone in Banyan City and seed to have no plans to return.
When she arrived, the sun was setting, Lady Stephens was watering flowers under a peony tree and seed slightly startled upon seeing her progress from the gate.
Daisy looked at her, saying: "I’m heading to Chicago tomorrow, would you like to talk?"
Lady Stephens’ face appeared sowhat pale in the setting sun, she gripped the watering can, looked at Daisy, her lips trembled slightly as she softly replied: "Okay."
...
Daisy hadn’t visited the Stephens family for a long ti.
The familiar layout evoked familiar feelings; upon returning to the Stephens family, she did not exhibit strong aversion, but sitting with Lady Stephens on the sofa in silence was indeed rare.
Lady Stephens dismissed the household servants, leaving the vast hall empty, with only the two of them.
"Daisy, would you like so water?"
After a considerable ti, Lady Stephens seed to co to her senses, cautiously asking.
Her voice remained gentle, with a touch of timidity, just like before. It was difficult to imagine that soone innocent-looking could deceive her with such a great lie.
Daisy withdrew her gaze, shook her head, "No, I’m not thirsty."
"This... alright." Lady Stephens withdrew her hand from the glass bottle, sitting on the sofa, facing Daisy’s gaze, appearing awkward, almost unable to lift her head.
"Aunt." Daisy sighed softly, her voice calm as she asked, "Do you know why I’m going to Chicago?"
Lady Stephens lifted her head with so fear, looking at Daisy, she said softly: "Daisy..."
"Your son won’t let go," Daisy said, "He uses my company to threaten , if I don’t go with him, he will bankrupt the company my mother left ."
"This..." Lady Stephens seed stunned, her eyes widened in surprise.
Daisy watched her calmly, "You didn’t know? Well, now you do." She gazed deeply at her, lightly saying, "You’re his mother, if it’s you, he might listen. My company is the only inheritance left by my mother, I have nothing left, just this one thing, if it’s you, Aunt, you should understand my situation now."
She seed always well, even after Alice Lesser passed away, she didn’t seem anguished for long.
Only within these few words did she reveal the mottled cracks in her strong exterior.
She didn’t wish to leave Banyan City, didn’t want to go abroad with Edward, just didn’t know whom to turn to for help, she was alone in this world, with no one left to lean upon.
She had no one left to confide in.
She always thought Alice Lesser’s passing didn’t affect her, maybe only in such despair and solitude did she slowly realize it wasn’t true.
It did affect her.
She could no longer share her heart’s pain with anyone.
She no longer had family.
In this world, no one would unconditionally spoil her, love her anymore.
The ones she awaited would never return, she was now solitary in this world.
Lady Stephens listened blankly, seemingly not expecting Edward to do such a thing, she appeared sowhat stupefied.
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