I walked towards Daniel Carter, frowning slightly, "Didn’t we agree you would go ho? Why are you here again?"
His clinginess really doesn’t match his status.
Daniel Carter chuckled, stepped forward, and affectionately pinched my face, mimicking my tone, "Didn’t we agree you would go to Lakeshore Villa? Why are you back here?"
"..." I was speechless.
"Little thing, you just want to co and catch you." His fingers suddenly exerted force.
"Ouch, that hurts!" I frowned and slapped his hand away.
Since I’m already ho, there’s no way I’m going to the Lakeshore Villa with him.
In this cold weather, I just want to go ho quickly and take a hot shower, so after pushing away his hand, I turned and went up the steps, ready to go back ho.
Daniel Carter turned and walked toward his car.
I looked back, my heart skipped a beat, thinking he was leaving.
But then I reconsidered, feeling sothing was off—could he be angry? Leaving without a word?
"Hey!" I stopped in my tracks and shouted at him, "You..."
Before I could finish, I saw him retrieving a sports bag from the car’s trunk.
I recognized that bag; he always carried it with change of clothes when going for sports or playing ball.
So, he ca prepared.
My heart suddenly relaxed, realizing I was being overly anxious.
How could he possibly be angry!
With his clinginess, it’s difficult to chase him away.
Daniel Carter walked over with the bag, wrapped an arm around my waist, his handso face smiling slightly: "What, did you think I left angrily and felt reluctant about it?"
"Don’t flatter yourself!" I pursed my lips, denying with a half-smile, half-serious expression.
He snorted, "Saying one thing but aning another!"
Since he ca, I couldn’t just force him away.
I had to take him to my small rented place.
"The place is small, can’t accommodate your grand self, sorry for squeezing you, Second Master Carter." I joked as I opened the door and led him inside.
Before Daniel Carter could respond, the parrot in the living room excitedly ran up, circling him and howling non-stop.
"At least the parrot has a conscience." Daniel Carter petted the dog’s head, subtly criticizing .
Unconvinced, I imdiately went inside and tossed him the dog leash, "I don’t keep freeloaders here, since you’re here, take the dog for a walk."
"Alright." Surprisingly, Daniel Carter didn’t get angry at all, secured the leash on the parrot, and went downstairs.
I sighed, went into the kitchen to boil water, and turned on the heater to warm up.
However, the landlord’s heater was weak, and when Daniel Carter ca back from walking the dog, the living room was still chilly.
He ca in, unhooked the dog leash, letting the parrot play, and then started taking off his overcoat.
"Don’t take it off, it’s a bit cold, be careful not to catch a cold." I saw and imdiately reminded him.
Daniel Carter glanced at the heater, probably guessed the heating wasn’t effective, smiled and said, "You’ve never really suffered, I asked you to move to my place, but you refused. In this cold winter, you still have to endure the cold after coming ho, is it a test of your willpower?"
"..." I was speechless.
I poured him a cup of hot tea to warm up, then turned towards the bedroom to get clothes for a wash-up.
Daniel Carter’s phone rang, my ears perked up, subconsciously worried he might leave again.
Honestly, I was indeed conflicted, my words were contrary to my true feelings.
On one hand, I’m drowning in his passionate tenderness, sinking deeper and deeper, unable to extricate myself.
But on the other hand, I don’t want him too absorbed in our relationship, hoping he focuses back on work and his family like before.
I always felt, if he sticks to the latter, our relationship might last longer.
Daniel Carter answered the phone.
The space was small, and even though I entered the bedroom, I could still hear his voice.
It seed like a call from Carter Manor, asking when he’d be ho or sothing.
I leaned against the door and sighed gently; he’s probably going to leave, right?
After grabbing clothes and was about to head to the bathroom, my phone rang as well.
I looked at it, it’s Wennie Lane.
"Hey, what’s up this late?" I held the phone with one hand and adjusted the water temperature in the bathroom with the other.
Wennie Lane spoke mysteriously, "Lily, did Mr. Carter tell you? The Gordon Family is truly done this ti, not only bankrupt, but probably heavily in debt, expelled from the Fallhaven elite circle for good."
I imdiately turned off the shower, and the room fell quiet, "What did you hear?"
"I heard it from my dad and brother; it’s not just the projects going wrong at the Gordon Family, they also bribed many officials. It’s all been discovered now; those people were their protectors."
I listened quietly, not too surprised in my heart.
Daniel Carter had told before, the way they secured projects was problematic, so it definitely involved bribery.
"You’re really lucky you didn’t marry into the Gordon Family, or it’d be a big problem now. Sophie’s death unexpectedly did you a favor." Wennie Lane reflected with complex emotions.
I smiled wryly, "It’s all fate, right? Adrian Gordon probably didn’t expect it, one wrong step after another, and he buried his family."
After all, if Adrian Gordon hadn’t betrayed and I hadn’t divorced him, we would have lived the married life well.
Daniel Carter and I would have nothing to do with each other.
Then Daniel Carter wouldn’t have taken action against the Gordon Family to stand up for .
Maybe the Gordon Family could have kept their wrongdoing hidden for three to five years, or even ten years.
Maybe they could have cleaned up, and no one would pursue them.
All these events are like a domino effect, as the first tile fell, the rest followed one after the other.
Before I finished talking with Wennie Lane, there was a sound from the bedroom door, I peeked out from the bathroom and saw Daniel Carter coming in.
"Wennie, I have sothing to do, gotta go." After telling my friend, I turned to Daniel Carter and asked, "You’re leaving again, aren’t you?"
Daniel Carter took a deep breath, looked at , and nodded: "Yes, lissa called, said my dad will be ho soon. He’s always busy this ti of year, having to visit and greet people, usually only free after the Lantern Festival. Didn’t expect him back so early this year."
Upon hearing that, I frowned, instantly thinking of sothing.
"Is it because of your marriage? Did he co back early on purpose?"
Daniel Carter shook his head, "No, since I was young, the old man disciplined ; he didn’t interfere in my matters."
"It’s different when it cos to marriage, it’s a big deal, as a father he should care."
I don’t know much about Daniel Carter’s father, having only t him once.
But from his appearances on TV, Father Carter seems quite authoritative and intimidating.
It seems the obstacles between us are only increasing.
"Anyway, you should go back soon. I have a day off tomorrow, so I’ll be back to work after that, no need to worry about ." Seeing it’s already 10 PM, I gave him a push, urging him.
Daniel Carter looked back at , "I’ll co to see you tomorrow then."
"No need, your father is back, spend more ti with him."
"What’s there to do with two big n hanging out." Daniel Carter chuckled.
I didn’t reply, still urging him as we passed the living room heading to the door.
Seeing the travel bag on the sofa, I quickly said, "Don’t forget your clothes."
"Leave them here, I’ll be back to stay overnight eventually." He said naturally.
"The conditions aren’t good here, you don’t need to suffer." I teased him with his own words.
"Wherever you are, no matter how poor the conditions, it’s paradise." He said as he reached the door, putting on his shoes, turned to with a corny line.
I pursed my lips, midway between a laugh and a smile.
The door opened, as he was about to leave, I stepped forward to hug him, "Drive safely."
"Mm." He hooked my chin with one hand, leaned down to give a gentle, pampering kiss, "So get to bed early."
"Okay, bye-bye."
We kissed again, he released and turned to leave; I stepped back to close the door.
The parrot stood beside , looking up with its head tilted, puzzled at my actions.
It seed to be asking: Leaving again?
I looked down at the dog and said helplessly, "Are you reluctant too? But there’s no choice, maybe he won’t be able to co soday..."
"Awoo..." The bulldog couldn’t understand human words, but protested discontentedly.
I went back to the bedroom and continued taking my shower.
Thinking of Wennie’s words, I rembered I forgot to ask Daniel Carter sothing.
But tonight, he certainly wouldn’t have ti to worry about this matter, just dealing with family was enough to keep him busy.
That night, I suffered from insomnia again.
Since Daniel Carter ca back ho, he hadn’t contacted , which was not his style.
Since we confird our relationship, every night before sleeping, we would chat a bit on WeChat and then say goodnight to each other.
During the ti I was on a business trip in Veyrona, even though our schedules didn’t match due to the ti difference, he would still send a few ssages before he slept.
But not tonight.
I was feeling uneasy.
Even though I tried to console myself multiple tis, preparing for the worst outco all along, thinking there’s nothing big about it.
In this world, anyone can survive without anyone else.
Yet, I still couldn’t fall asleep.
But I didn’t dare to take the initiative to contact him, afraid that he’d be in a bad mood and still have to co and console , pretending everything was fine in front of .
I thought about asking lissa about the situation.
But even though I had rehearsed what to say, in the end, I didn’t have the courage to ask.
Afraid the answer would be worse than I imagined.
I tossed and turned until three or four in the morning, finally dozing off in a daze.
Waking up the next day was naturally late.
Luckily, it was a day off, so not too much work was planned.
The first thing I did upon opening my eyes was to pick up the phone.
Seeing Daniel Carter’s unread WeChat ssage, I instantly beca awake and sat up.
[Lily, I just finished busy work and getting ready to sleep, forgot to wish you goodnight in advance, not sure if it affected your sleep.]
[I need to go on a business trip, will see you when I get back. If you need anything, contact Natalie Yates, he’ll handle everything for you.]
Below it, there was a business card being sent.
The WeChat na was just "Yates".
I assud it was Young Master Yates.
But I hesitated for a mont, feeling embarrassed to add him proactively.
Unexpectedly, when I exited Daniel Carter’s WeChat interface, I found a new friend request in my contacts.
Opening it, it was "Yates".
It seed Daniel expected that I wouldn’t add him on my own, so he told Young Master Yates to add as a friend.
I could only accept it.
Soon, Young Master Yates sent a ssage.
[Miss Miller, Daniel had to go on an urgent business trip, the return date is uncertain, during this ti feel free to contact for anything.]
I replied, "Thank you, happy new year."
Originally, I planned to stop the conversation there.
But thinking of Daniel Carter’s sudden business trip, and how he was busy until four in the morning last night, I felt uneasy again.
So I asked Natalie Yates.
[Master Yates, is Daniel really on a business trip for work, or is there sothing going on at ho and he can’t see for the ti being?]
Natalie Yates replied quickly: [He told it was a business trip.]
Going by what he said, Natalie Yates might not know the specifics either.
I thanked again and ended it there.
After getting up, I washed up, tidied the house, made breakfast, and put the phone aside.
It was only when I sat down to eat while holding the plate that I picked up the phone again.
Saw there was an unread text ssage.
I opened the inbox, and it was sent from an unknown number.
[Lily, you and Daniel Carter won’t have a result, I swear on my life.]
This spiteful vow made my heart suddenly panic and skip a few beats.
Who could have sent this?
The tone sounded very much like Adrian Gordon.
Right now, the person who hates the most is probably Adrian Gordon.
I didn’t reply to him, but my mind imdiately thought of many bad things.
Is he so certain because he has so plan?
Would Daniel Carter run into an accident on his business trip?
The more I thought about it, the more panic rose, disregarding everything, I imdiately called Daniel Carter.
However, it was unreachable.
Without hesitation, I called lissa.
"Hello, Lily..." lissa’s tone sounded as if she was still asleep.
"lissa, sorry to wake you, I just want to know where your brother is on a business trip and if he’s accompanied by anyone?"
There was so rustling from lissa’s side, then her voice beca clearer, "We don’t ask where my brother goes on a business trip, but he does have staff with him — what’s wrong? Do you have sothing urgent for him?"
"No, it’s just that I called him and couldn’t get through, a bit worried about him." I didn’t tell the truth, because a few words wouldn’t explain it clearly and it would also panic lissa.
"Oh, then it’s fine, my brother is on a plane. Though we don’t know where he’s going, he headed to the airport before dawn, probably still flying now."
lissa’s words put my heart at ease a bit.
"Lily, don’t worry, my brother will be fine."
"Okay, thanks. You go back to sleep."
"Can’t sleep anymore, gonna go out for a walk, are you free to join ?"
I had ti today and gladly agreed at her words.
"Don’t drive over, your brother’s car is with , take it back in the afternoon." Daniel Carter’s car was too expensive, I didn’t usually dare to drive it out, afraid of getting it scratched.
But lissa said, "My brother wants you to drive it, just use it. Cars are ant to be driven, leaving them parked at ho takes up space."
Having no choice, I continued using it.
At eleven in the morning, I arrived at Wennie Lane’s restaurant.
My friend saw and curiously turned her head to look behind , "Huh, you’re alone? Mr. Carter didn’t co with you?"
I sat down and said plainly, "He’s on a business trip."
"Tsk, look at your absent-minded appearance, he’s just on a business trip, not dumping you," Wennie Lane teased as usual.
I smiled without speaking.
Thinking, sooner or later, he will not want , or perhaps I won’t want him.
lissa soon arrived as well.
As the cherished sweetheart of the Carter Family, she shines wherever she goes, full of confidence, uplifting the spirits of those around her.
"Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year~"
lissa hadn’t even walked up yet and already greeted us, I joked, "You’re the youngest here, shouldn’t we give you lucky money?"
lissa laughed, "No rush, it’s not too late to wait till you beco my sister-in-law."
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