Caleb Rhodes stared at the receding taillights, his tone icy. "Back to the office!"
Willson Lawson’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, a hint of concern in his voice. "Third Lord Master, you haven’t slept in two days. The company is important, but you need to rest. Miss Wynn has gone ho, so why don’t you go back and get so rest too?"
"You talk too much!" Caleb Rhodes’s tone was sharp.
Willson Lawson watched the taillights shrink into a tiny red dot before gently shaking his head.
He didn’t know what had happened between Caleb Rhodes and Nina Wynn, but for the past two days, Caleb hadn’t shown a pleasant expression for even a mont. His workload had also been terrifyingly high.
The atmosphere in the executive office hadn’t relaxed for an instant. Nearly everyone had been on pins and needles, pulling all-nighters with him for two days. No one even dared to go ho.
’If we go back to work more overti now, who can possibly take it?’
"Third Lord Master, I don’t know what happened between you and Miss Wynn, but the things she’s been through... they’re truly more than any ordinary person could bear. If it were anyone else, they probably wouldn’t have been able to go on living."
"Her ntal state isn’t the healthiest either, so sotis the way she speaks and acts is bound to be different from others. Maybe you could give her a bit more understanding and patience."
After saying his piece, he gripped the steering wheel and fell silent.
Silence once again filled the car, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.
Even after following Caleb Rhodes for so many years, he still couldn’t figure out the mind of The Valorian Crown Prince.
The man’s expression never betrayed his emotions. He rarely smiled, and his silence carried a murderous aura. Right now, for instance, even though the car’s heater was on full blast, Willson felt a chill creep up his spine.
After a long mont, Caleb Rhodes finally spoke, his voice cold. "Willson Lawson, your wife’s birthday is today. If you want to go ho, you can just say so. No need to beat around the bush."
Embarrassed that his thoughts had been exposed, Willson Lawson scratched his head. "That’s not it... It’s just, Miss Wynn is truly pitiable. If she would just yield a little, you shouldn’t make things so hard for her."
Caleb Rhodes’s expression grew even colder. "Willson Lawson, don’t go ho today. You can continue working overti."
’If she’d just given in, would things have ended up like this?’
He used to think Nina Wynn was incredibly easy to control. She was small and soft, her voice was gentle, and she looked at people with a timid softness, not even daring to et his gaze. It was as if her nature was inherently fragile—so fragile he could crush the life out of her with one hand.
But he never expected that this little thing’s will was harder than bone. It had been two days, and she hadn’t made a single phone call, sent a single text, or even asked about the kitten.
It gave him the mistaken impression that the little thing’s wings had grown strong and she wanted to fly away.
A dark, secret thought suddenly occurred to him. Since she wanted to fly, he would just have to weave a bigger net, build a taller cage. No matter how high she flew or how far she went, as long as he held the string, she would never escape his control.
The thought flashed through his mind, but it instantly took root.
"Drive. Ho!"
Caleb Rhodes’s voice was cold and deep, but it sounded slightly softer than before, which confused Willson Lawson.
’This Crown Prince’s word has always been law; he rarely changes his mind. Why the sudden change of heart today?’
However, he had no intention of digging into the reason why.
"Right away, Third Lord Master!"
At the entrance to Caleb Rhodes’s courtyard ho, Nina Wynn had just stepped out of the car when she heard a maid run out from inside and whisper sothing to the butler.
Although the voice was hushed, Nina’s hearing had beco sharper than usual these past few days because of her blindness.
She vaguely heard the nas Crystal Rhodes and Leo Rhodes.
Holding her umbrella, she didn’t move to go inside.
The cold wind blew, making it feel even more frigid. Her long eyelashes drooped slightly, hiding the emotion in her eyes.
After the maid finished speaking, she went back inside. Before she did, she couldn’t help but glance at Nina Wynn a few tis, her gaze filled with pity.
Nina could only see a blurry outline of people at the mont, so she naturally couldn’t see the maid’s expression. Holding the large black umbrella, she asked in a low voice, "Butler Zimrman, does Uncle have guests?"
Butler Zimrman thought for a mont, his face remaining expressionless. "Miss Wynn, we do indeed have guests. Let’s go wait in the house next door for a while. The Third Lord Master has another courtyard nearby."
Nina Wynn said nothing.
’I’ve already guessed who’s inside. But no matter who it is, with my underground status, I can’t be seen.’
’Especially since the people inside are mbers of the Rhodes Family.’
She nodded obediently. "Okay."
For once, the butler let out a soft sigh and walked over to lead Nina Wynn back toward the car.
But just as Nina Wynn sat down in the car, a shrill voice cried out, "Nina Wynn!"
Nina Wynn flinched, instinctively reaching to close the door.
But Crystal Rhodes had already rushed over. She grabbed the doorfra, preventing Nina from shutting it.
"It’s you! It’s really you!"
"Zyler Rhodes said you weren’t dead, and I didn’t believe him. To think the person at Uncle’s hotel was you!"
She looked down at her, her eyes imdiately landing on Nina Wynn’s delicate face.
A face that could only be described as exquisitely carved and beautiful.
She had loathed Nina Wynn ever since they were children, and not just because Nina was the niece of the howrecker, Lana Shaw. Another important reason was that Nina Wynn was beautiful.
Too beautiful, in fact.
Her features were like they had been ticulously polished from jade, a kind of flawless beauty.
And she always acted soft and weak, specifically to win the affection and attention of n.
’She’s a natural-born slut, born to seduce n!’
Overwheld by intense jealousy and hatred, she reached out to grab Nina Wynn’s hair, but the butler caught her by the wrist.
"Miss Crystal Rhodes, I advise you to think twice. If you’re seen hitting soone out in the open, it won’t be as easy to clean up as it is in private."
Crystal Rhodes spun around viciously. "What’s it to you? You’re just a watchdog. You dare ddle in my affairs?"
As she spoke, she tried to violently shake off the butler’s hand, but his grip was like a pair of pliers, holding her immobile.
Crystal Rhodes flew into a rage and kicked out, but the butler seed prepared. He pulled her sharply backward and threw her behind the car.
This wasn’t the first ti Crystal Rhodes had suffered at the butler’s hands. She wanted to tear him apart. Just as she was about to charge forward, she saw a stately Hongqi sedan pull up smoothly and stop in front of the butler.
She recognized it as Caleb Rhodes’s car at a glance and had no choice but to suppress her fury.
Caleb Rhodes stepped out of the car and his eyes imdiately fell on Nina Wynn, who was sitting in the other vehicle.
The white cashre coat she wore was a little loose, making her seem all the more thin and frail.
Lonely, even.
Caleb Rhodes’s heart suddenly softened. Just as he was about to speak, Nina Wynn abruptly lifted her head and looked in Crystal Rhodes’s direction.
Her eyes were large and beautiful, her dark pupils unfocused. Usually, when she looked at people like this, it created the illusion of deep affection.
But now, as she looked over, she gave off a feeling of exceptional coldness, one that was even chilling.
She held the gaze for only a mont before looking away, so briefly that Caleb Rhodes thought he must have imagined it.
She looked in Caleb Rhodes’s direction and called out tentatively, "Uncle?"
Before Caleb Rhodes could answer, Crystal Rhodes rushed forward, pointing aggressively at Nina. "Is ’Uncle’ sothing you have the right to say?"
Nina Wynn trembled and instinctively shrank back.
Her small face instantly turned deathly pale, devoid of any color. Even her voice trembled as she spoke. "I... what should I call you then...?"
She looked as though she was genuinely terrified of Crystal Rhodes.
Seeing her fragile appearance only enraged Crystal further. Her glare was so vicious it looked like she wanted to tear a piece of flesh from Nina’s body.
But with Caleb Rhodes right there, she didn’t dare be too outrageous. She could only turn her attack on him. "Uncle, why is she in your car? She doesn’t deserve to ride in your car!"
"Shut up!"
Caleb Rhodes’s eyes were dark and cold as they swept over Nina Wynn’s face, which seed to have gotten even thinner.
’It’s only been two or three days, and the little bit of weight she’d just put on is gone. There are dark circles under her eyes, too. She clearly hasn’t been sleeping well.’
’Shouldn’t she be happy that she drove away? Why does she look even more miserable?’
He stared at her, his voice deep and cold. "Get out!"
Hearing this, Crystal Rhodes assud Caleb was kicking Nina out. A smug look appeared on her face as she sneered, "Did you hear that? Get out of my uncle’s car!"
Nina Wynn bit her lip, her gaze falling. She called out softly, "Uncle!"
Her voice was soft and small, with a hint of pleading in it.
Caleb Rhodes’s eyes darkened. "If you don’t get out, do you plan to stay in the car forever?"
His voice was as indifferent as ever, betraying no emotion.
Under the weight of their two gazes, Nina Wynn felt an unprecedented pressure. Although she couldn’t see, she could imagine the looks on the faces of these two mbers of the Rhodes Family.
’One gaze is dark and cold, freezing like it’s wrapped in ice. The other must be full of malice and contempt. If Caleb Rhodes weren’t here, she would have already laid hands on .’
’The Rhodes Family all seem to be born superior, making others feel instantly inferior.’
Seeing Nina Wynn remain still, Crystal Rhodes grew impatient and said snidely, "Sitting in a Rolls-Royce makes you feel superior, does it? Don’t want to get out now?"
Caleb Rhodes’s expression changed slightly, a glint of coldness in his eyes. "Crystal Rhodes, say one more word and your credit card gets cut off imdiately!"
Crystal Rhodes stomped her foot in anger. "Uncle, why are you helping her? I’m your real niece! She’s just an outsider!"
Just then, Nina Wynn fumbled her way out of the car.
The unfocused look in her eyes startled Crystal Rhodes for a mont, but then she gloated inwardly.
"Nina Wynn, your eyes..."
"Are you blind?"
Nina Wynn stood by the car door, her head bowed, her hand gripping the doorfra tightly. Her voice was small. "No, sister. I just can’t see for the ti being."
Seeing her frail act just made Crystal Rhodes angrier. She said viciously, "So you’re not blind? What a pity!"
Nina Wynn kept her head down and didn’t speak. Her thin bangs shifted on her smooth forehead, making it impossible to see her expression.
At that mont, Caleb Rhodes stepped forward, yanked Crystal Rhodes aside, and swept Nina Wynn up into his arms.
Crystal was pulled so hard she nearly fell. She was already angry, but then seeing Caleb pick up Nina, she was overco with shock and rage. "Uncle, why are you carrying her?"
You had to understand, as long as she could rember, her uncle had never been close to anyone. Even though he had doted on her since she was a child, giving her whatever she wanted, their interactions were still suffused with a sense of distance and indifference.
This coldness and distance weren’t intentional; it was just his innately unaffectionate and cool nature. He was like that not just with her, but with the entire Rhodes Family, and even with his own father, Walter Rhodes.
In all these years, she had only ever seen Rosalind Lowell get close to him.
But Rosalind Lowell was his fiancée, the future mistress of the Rhodes Family. It was only natural for them to be close!
’What does that make Nina Wynn?’
’She’s nothing but a dog the Rhodes Family threw out. What right does she have to receive Caleb Rhodes’s affection?’
’Because she’s blind?’
Seething with anger, Crystal Rhodes rushed forward and grabbed Caleb Rhodes’s arm, her voice filled with shock and fury. "Uncle, what are you doing? Look clearly! That’s Nina Wynn! She’s that howrecker’s niece! She assaulted soone a few days ago, and people are looking for her everywhere!"
With every word she spoke, Nina Wynn’s body trembled. Curled in Caleb Rhodes’s arms, she clutched his clothes tightly, her whole body seeming to shake.
Caleb Rhodes’s arms around her tightened. He suddenly turned and stared icily at Crystal Rhodes.
He didn’t speak, just stared at her, but the cold, murderous intent in his eyes was so intense that it startled Crystal into taking a step back. "U-Uncle..."
She shivered, finding it hard to believe that the uncle who had doted on her for over twenty years would look at her with such terrifying eyes.
Caleb Rhodes said coldly, "Crystal Rhodes, I’ve already warned you. Who I choose to treat well is none of your business!"
Crystal Rhodes’s temper flared. She pointed at Nina Wynn in disbelief. "Uncle, you’re going to be this cold-blooded to for an outsider?"
The word "outsider" made Nina Wynn flinch twice.
She suddenly threw her arms around Caleb Rhodes’s neck, resting her head on his shoulder, trembling so hard she could barely breathe. "Uncle, I’m scared... I’m so scared..."
Her body was shaking, but her gaze turned toward Crystal Rhodes. Though unfocused, it held a chilling coldness.
The sight made Crystal Rhodes explode with rage. "Uncle, she’s faking it! You’re being deceived!"
"She’s an expert at playing pitiful to get n’s sympathy, just like her aunt! All they know is how to seduce n!"
Nina Wynn trembled even more violently, struggling to get down from Caleb Rhodes’s arms. "Uncle, don’t worry about . Sister is angry. She’s your family. Don’t fight because of !"
Caleb Rhodes only held her tighter, looking cruelly at Crystal. "Crystal Rhodes, you’ve been living too comfortably. From this day forward, get your father to cover all your expenses. Don’t take another cent from !"
With that, he carried Nina Wynn and walked inside.
Crystal Rhodes stomped her feet and started crying on the spot, but Caleb Rhodes didn’t even look back.
Nina Wynn clung tightly to Caleb Rhodes’s neck, looking as if she were truly afraid of Crystal, as if only by depending on him could she avoid being bullied.
Curled in his arms, she was so fragile it was startling, as if she couldn’t survive without him.
Caleb Rhodes held her tightly and whispered, "Don’t be afraid."
Suddenly, Leo Rhodes walked out of the house. He was stunned to see Caleb Rhodes carrying Nina Wynn.
Reviews
All reviews (0)