Late at night, with just the two of us, under a romantic starry sky, we brewed tea by the fire.
Everything felt so right, everything seed inescapable.
Yet at the last mont, he still released .
"Lily... wake up, if you don’t snap out of it... sothing might really happen—" He pulled away from , playfully reminding by brushing my nose with his finger.
I opened my misty eyes, gazing at the dazzling light in his eyes, the softness and doting in his expression. For a brief mont, I really wanted to abandon everything and make him mine right then and there.
"Daniel Carter, don’t regret missing this opportunity..." I teased, cuddling into his embrace.
"No regrets, we have all the ti in the world." He held , his voice deep and seductive, as his thin lips planted several kisses.
I was drowning in his tender affection.
Neither of us wanted to part, we slept clinging to each other on the lazy couch in the sunroom until three in the morning.
Later, he awoke with a start, worried I’d catch a cold, and carried my drowsy self to the bedroom he had prepared for .
"Daniel Carter..." I murmured, sinking into the comfy bed.
I felt his kiss on my forehead, then the bed shook briefly before settling into calm...
The door closed, and my world fell back into slumber.
At this mont, there was no anxiety, no unease, no heartache.
Daniel Carter, indeed a true gentleman.
Even in such circumstances, he let reason triumph over desire, granting absolute respect.
The next morning, he first took ho to change clothes, then drove to the company.
When I was about to get out, he held my hand, asking for a kiss, and softly inquired, "What ti do you leave this afternoon? I’ll drive you."
"No need, it’s year-end, you’re busy with work, don’t delay your duties because of ." I gazed at him with gentle happiness, grateful but truly feeling it was unnecessary.
"I insist, this is our first long separation since confirming our relationship, you haven’t even left yet and I already miss you." He was clingy, his sweet talk ca naturally.
I chuckled, my shoulders shaking, "Isn’t that too cheesy? You’re almost becoming a sappy guy."
"Is it really that exaggerated?"
"Just kidding, Second Master Carter is the most handso man in this town, not cheesy at all."
We were unabashedly mushy, and if ti allowed, we might’ve stayed cuddling in the car until the afternoon departure for the airport.
"Leaving at three in the afternoon, if you insist on sending , then do so, but I have to go now, got so things to handle quickly."
In a rush, I said this, turned around and pushed open the car door to get out.
Daniel waved at , "See you in the afternoon then."
"Mm, bye-bye."
I quickly sped up, heading upstairs to work.
Just before noon, Wennie Lane called.
"Sweetie, guess who I ran into outside?"
I was busy at that mont, turned on the speaker phone and continued organizing files.
"Who did you et? Surely not my nesis, right?"
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have called specifically.
"No, I t lissa, about to have lunch together, are you free to join us?"
I paused, glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was eleven thirty.
Thanks to Calvin Yance’s professionalism, work was mostly sorted, but being my own boss now, I tended to worry a bit more, my obsessive nature had double-check everything.
Thinking I could spare two hours, I asked, "Could you co near my company? Daniel Carter drove this morning, so I didn’t bring my car, and I’m leaving for the airport at three, it’s a bit rushed."
"Alright, we’ll co find you!"
After hanging up, they quickly drove over, sent the restaurant location.
Seeing it was a ten-minute walk, it pleased .
Arriving at the restaurant, the two waved at from afar.
lissa said, "Just called my brother, asked if he’d join, he refused upon hearing it’s three won."
I couldn’t help but laugh, "He is busy with work, went to the company late this morning, best not bother him."
Wennie Lane imdiately teased, "Look at that, so quickly stepping into the role, acting just like the lady of the house."
lissa added, "Mainly because my brother cooperates, acting like a henpecked husband."
Embarrassed by the jest, I took a sip of tea and retorted, "Hey, you two stop joking around!"
But Wennie wouldn’t let go, smirking, eyebrow raised with mischief, "Earlier you said... Daniel dropped you off at the company this morning—so you spent the night together? Also, since eting the family yesterday, does this an... wedding bells soon?"
Blushing furiously, I glared at Wennie, "Don’t talk nonsense."
Wennie promptly turned to lissa, "Miss Chandler, what’s happening with your family yesterday, how do they feel about our President Miller?"
lissa looked at , a subtle expression.
I felt a twinge in my heart, sensing sothing.
"lissa, I actually want to know your family’s opinion too, speak your mind." I looked at her, wanting direct answers to save myself from pointless fretting.
lissa shook her head, "I don’t know... It’s not my place to say, if I say sothing wrong and upset you, my brother would skin alive!"
"It’s okay, actually I have a rough judgnt in my heart, but I don’t understand..."
"Don’t understand what?" lissa blinked.
I thought for a mont, deciding to be honest: "I understand that Grandpa Carter likes Jessica Sawyer—I an, she’s the granddaughter of his old comrades and subordinates. But Mrs. Carter used to treat pretty well, and when we t yesterday, I felt it was a bit nuanced... I want to know, is it because of those chaotic matters in my family, or the endless lawsuits with the Gordon Family, that made Mrs. Carter have a worse impression of ?"
Wennie beside stiffened slightly, her eyes closely watching lissa.
lissa looked troubled, frowning at , "I knew you would ask these things. I shouldn’t have co to dine with you..."
I smiled to comfort her: "Don’t worry, lissa, I won’t quarrel with your brother over these matters. In fact, last night, I discussed these with him, and I have a clear understanding."
lissa hesitated for a mont before softly saying, "Actually, my mom really liked you at first. Our family had known for a long ti that you saved my brother’s life. We were all grateful to you. My mom even ntioned visiting you when she knew you were in Fallhaven, but my brother said that your family’s situation is a bit complicated. He ntioned that even if we went to thank you with gifts or financial rewards, those benefits wouldn’t reach you; they would end up benefiting your family."
I thought to myself, it’s the truth.
In the past, whenever Grandma or Aunt occasionally bought sothing, it would soon be taken by Sophie and Mason.
Even the clothes Grandma and Aunt bought for during season changes would be seized by Sophie.
She already had several closets of clothes, absolutely more than enough.
"My brother knew you had a childhood friend and heard that your relationship was pretty good, likely moving towards marriage in the future. He thought it best not to disturb you, to avoid causing trouble. Later, when Young Master Gordon cheated and betrayed you, my brother was furious upon hearing the news. That’s when he took Natalie’s brother’s wedding invitation to attend the wedding, actually intending to stand up for you. But with the chaos during the wedding and your early departure, he didn’t dare take the initiative, fearing misunderstanding and harming your reputation. Knowing these things, my mom thought of helping you in your career as a way to thank you for saving my brother, which is why she invited you to our ho for customization."
This was the first ti I clearly heard about Daniel Carter’s feelings toward over the years. It turns out that they trace back so far and run so deep.
Moreover, this act of kindness from my youth had been rembered by him for so long, so firmly.
Wennie was also moved, sighing, "Mr. Carter truly is an extraordinary man, and your family is great too."
"Thank you..." lissa lightly pursed her lips and continued with a smile—
"During that ti, I was performing overseas, so I didn’t know the details, but my mom initially supported my brother liking you and pursuing you, even though you’ve been married before. My mom didn’t mind your background; instead, she felt sorry for you and thought you were pitiful. The other point is that my brother has been a complete workaholic these years, wholly absorbed in his career, and never talking about marriage. My mom had arranged several blind dates, carefully selecting the best girls, but my brother didn’t so much as see them. At one point, my mom thought there might be an issue with his preferences and even worried that we might not have any descendants. Later, upon learning that my brother secretly loved you, my mom felt that even if social status was lacking, or if you had been married before, it didn’t matter. As long as my brother likes you, she accepts it. It’s better than him staying unmarried and single forever."
"But who knew... Later, when you reported your father, causing an uproar, and your divorce case with the Gordon Family was full of twists and turns, during that period, weren’t your incidents frequently on the hot search? Actually, it was my brother secretly resolving those, including my help that ti, which was actually my brother asking to assist but couldn’t directly approach you, so he went through Ms. Wennie instead..."
Wennie suddenly realized, "I wondered! How co it was exactly you! Turns out Mr. Carter had such well-thought intentions!"
I listened quietly, feeling incredibly touched on one hand, yet overwheld with guilt on the other.
Who wouldn’t want to have such an extraordinary man?
I wouldn’t even dream of it, but during my life’s downfall, I t this biggest fortune.
But now... the path between us is becoming increasingly more difficult.
Even if I’m willing to lay aside my emotional barriers and confront all obstacles with him, there’s no guarantee we’ll erge victorious.
Most likely, I’m going to disappoint him.
"Those events happening once or twice, my mom felt sorry for you, but when it’s too much... Especially last ti, during the New Year’s Eve family gathering, when Amanda Gordon splashed you with concentrated sulfuric acid, which my brother blocked—when my mom found out, she was genuinely angry and thought you might not be suitable for my brother..."
lissa peeked at timidly, fearing I wouldn’t be able to handle these words.
My face remained calm, as if unaffected, but inside, waves of feelings surged.
Even though I had already sensed Mrs. Carter’s changed attitude towards , it still saddened to have it confird.
Because I have truly fallen in love with Daniel Carter.
"What’s more coincidental is that during this ti... my grandfather’s old subordinate, Jessica’s grandfather, started visiting our house frequently after retiring, always bringing Jessica along. Although no one explicitly stated, it was tacitly understood. The two elderly wanted to strengthen familial bonds by matching Jessica with my brother, but my brother simply ignored it and even insisted on bringing you back yesterday, actually to confront the family’s stance directly."
lissa looked at , more solemnly, "My brother’s intension, he has decided on you, and wants to be with you."
Wennie was engrossed, her gaze fixed on , both happy and worried for .
I glanced at them, forcing a smile, "Why are you all staring at like that? We haven’t broken up, our feelings are running deep."
Wennie turned to lissa, "So your mom, she’s interested in Jessica too?"
lissa pouted, "It’s not exactly liking... but compared, in terms of various conditions..."
lissa spared my dignity, leaving her sentence unfinished, but everyone understood the aning.
Compared to Jessica, aside from height and looks, in other aspects—whether career talent, family background, or familiarity—I’m clearly at a disadvantage.
"What about you, lissa?" Wennie asked more directly, "Who do you prefer? Who do you want as your sister-in-law?"
lissa said, "Of course, Lily! I don’t like Jessica, too fake. I disliked her at first sight, so every ti she visits, I can’t be bothered to reply."
I gratefully said, "Thank you, lissa, for supporting and telling these things."
But lissa frowned worriedly, "But you mustn’t let my brother know I told you all this, or I’m really done for."
Wennie couldn’t help but laugh, "You’re so afraid of your brother, yet you still told?"
lissa pursed her lips, murmuring, "I feel knowing yourself and the enemy, you’re invincible in every battle. At least Lily knows my family’s attitude so she can have a coping strategy. My brother certainly wouldn’t say it; he’s afraid you’d propose breaking up after knowing."
I couldn’t help but laugh and cry, feeling desolate, yet I forced myself to stay calm, "So you’re not afraid I’ll break up with your brother now that you’ve told ?"
"I don’t think you will." lissa said proudly, "My brother is so good, who would easily break up? Besides, your character isn’t soone who caves in easily. I believe you’ll put effort into fighting for this. But my brother, being within the situation, can’t see clearly. And caring too much influences his judgnt, so he wouldn’t risk a thing or say a word."
Wennie gave her a thumbs-up after hearing this, "lissa, you’re truly smart and thoughtful. Today’s al is on !"
I quickly said, "I’ll treat. I want to celebrate having such good friends like you two!"
lissa giggled, "Lily, I only recognize you as my sister-in-law. You and my brother should strive hard."
"Alright, I’ll try my best."
I responded this way, and indeed thought so in my heart.
At least at this mont, I had no intention to retreat. I’d really like to hold strong with Daniel Carter to the end.
Only this way can I be worthy of his many years of waiting and heartfelt intentions.
After lunch, when lissa pulled aside, she repeatedly reminded, "Lily, you mustn’t tell my brother I told you so much, or I’m dood."
Reviews
All reviews (0)