Wennie raised an eyebrow at suggestively, "From what lissa ans, it sounds like things are really close between you and Mr. Carter."
"How could that be." I imdiately denied it, fully aware in my heart that nothing about it has even started.
"lissa, order so dishes, see what you like to eat, it’s my treat." I handed her the nu, changing the subject.
Wennie had other things to do, but she said she’d co back to sit with us later.
After she left, lissa looked up at , concerned, and asked, "Are you mad because my brother went on a business trip without telling you in advance?"
"No."
I smiled, genuinely not angry about it.
"He was busy working until late last night, it must be sothing important. I feel too sorry for him to be upset."
I spoke from my heart and looked at lissa, hesitating before asking, "lissa, your father ca back, did he pressure him as well?"
lissa’s expression slightly froze as she looked at the nu before raising her head to answer , "To be honest, I don’t know what my dad talked about with my brother. They were in the study upstairs with the door closed."
I frowned, extrely surprised, "Are you saying that the father and son talked until three or four in the morning?"
"Probably."
"And then your brother left for a business trip before dawn?"
"Yes." lissa finished ordering the dishes, called the server to place the order, and then continued, "After you called , I also asked my mom, and she said my brother indeed just went on a business trip."
But I felt it wasn’t just that...
Thinking of that strange text ssage and combining it with what lissa said, my instinct as a woman told —Daniel Carter must be in so trouble.
The business trip was just an excuse.
Maybe it was because I looked too serious that lissa started to feel puzzled too: "Lily, what are you worried about? Did my brother say sothing to you?"
"No, it’s because your brother said nothing that I’m worried." Seeing lissa also starting to get concerned, I had to change the subject, "Hopefully, I’m just overthinking it, it’s nothing."
"Yeah, you’re definitely overthinking it. What could possibly happen to my brother," lissa relaxed again.
During the al, I thought about Daniel Carter accompanying for a few days in Veyrona and couldn’t help but inquire with lissa about her family’s reaction.
lissa gave a glance, clearly considering her words, "There wasn’t any particular reaction. My brother is an adult now, the family doesn’t interfere much."
"Jessica Sawyer visited Carter Manor during the Lunar New Year, right?"
"Hmm," when Jessica Sawyer was ntioned, lissa pouted, clearly showing her dislike, "I really can’t bring myself to like her, but she’s so smooth and knows how to please everyone."
My heart sank.
"So does that an your mom... was also totally swayed by her?"
lissa sighed, looked at , her eyes carrying a hint of sympathy.
"Lily, I know what you want to ask. To be honest, I can’t figure out what the adults are thinking either. I told them that finding a life partner is my brother’s business. Whoever he likes, whoever he’s with, that’s his choice. But the elders always have to weigh the pros and cons and say things like love isn’t important."
From lissa’s words, I could tell she was genuinely on my side. She truly supported and sincerely hoped that I could have a happy ending with Daniel Carter.
However, many real-life factors are in the way.
"What does it matter that you got your marriage certificate? You were aiming for marriage; it’s a serious and responsible attitude. It’s Adrian Gordon who’s too problematic, everyone knows that, and it’s not your fault. Now the Gordon Family is under investigation, causing unrest. It’s a result of their own actions—they reap what they sow. I think you’re fair and selfless, even capable of reporting when your own father makes a mistake; this is sothing most people can’t achieve, it’s precisely one of your strengths. I just can’t understand the elders’ mindset!"
lissa kept talking on and on, continuing to console .
"Oh, and also! You were with Adrian Gordon for six years, even got the marriage certificate, but you’re still clean; doesn’t that just prove your self-respect and purity? To speak bluntly, if my brother finds a new partner now, there’s no guarantee he could et soone as decent. For example, Jessica Sawyer—I’ve asked around about her abroad; she’s had three boyfriends already, both Asian and foreign. Put simply, she’s worse than soone who’s been married. In terms of personal qualities, she’s not up to par with you; she just wins on family background."
Listening to the gossip about Jessica Sawyer, I couldn’t help but beco a bit interested.
I recalled she had two boyfriends in college too.
That’s just what the outside world knows.
Looking at her colorful experiences, maybe there were even more fleeting partners.
However, I didn’t ntion this to lissa.
Wennie ca over, sat down, and chatted with us, and the topic shifted back to the investigation of the Gordon Family.
With Daniel Carter not around, I couldn’t get much information.
However, Wennie’s father and brother were well-connected in the circle and had heard quite a bit of inside information.
"It’s said that the Gordon Family spent a fortune hiring an exceptional team of lawyers, striving to reduce the penalty to the minimum. But I think, given that Mr. Carter is the plaintiff, no matter how much money they spend or how brilliant the people they hire, it’s futile."
Wennie spoke with conviction, and after finishing, cast a glance my way, indicating I shouldn’t worry.
Actually, I wasn’t too worried about the Gordon Family.
After this, they’ll be thoroughly worn out; their wealth and luxury will certainly beco fleeting.
My greater concern was for Daniel Carter.
After lunch, while accompanying lissa shopping, I quietly sent a ssage to Daniel Carter on WeChat, asking him to ssage back when he had ti.
However, even after waiting for a while, there was no response.
By now it was already afternoon, and any flight departing from Fallhaven should have arrived by now, no matter the destination within the country.
Yet, there was still no news from him.
We reached a won’s clothing store, and lissa picked a couple of outfits and went into the fitting room.
Seizing the opportunity, I simply called Daniel Carter directly.
"Sorry, the number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable..." The polite yet cold automated voice made my heart hang even higher.
What on earth is going on with Daniel Carter?
Recalling his instructions, I sent a WeChat ssage to Natalie Yates.
[Young Master Yates, I can’t reach Daniel Carter’s phone. Do you know what’s going on with him?]
Natalie Yates responded quickly: [Really? I haven’t called him today. Hang on.]
Two minutes later, Natalie Yates called directly.
"Hello, Young Master Yates."
"Miss Miller, I called Daniel and couldn’t reach him either, and he hasn’t replied to my WeChat. However, he is on a business trip and might be too busy to attend to his personal phone. Don’t worry."
Natalie Yates was indeed a good friend of Daniel Carter, even calling to comfort .
I could only politely smile, "I might be overthinking it."
"I know a bit about both of you. Don’t worry, Daniel will handle it. Just give him so ti and don’t overthink."
"Okay, thank you, Young Master Yates."
Right after hanging up, I heard a sarcastic voice beside .
"Oh, Lily, what a small world, eting you here too."
I turned around and saw Jessica Sawyer.
She was accompanied by two other girls, all with silicone faces and scientifically enhanced bodies.
Pretty, but lacking character and uniqueness, like those "socialite training class" productions, conveyor belt beauties.
I rolled my eyes at her dismissively, not bothering to respond.
Just then, lissa ca out.
"Lily, how does this outfit look on ?" lissa called out to .
I instantly changed my expression and walked over with a smile.
Before I could speak, Jessica Sawyer was quicker, "lissa, you’re here too? Shopping for clothes? Hmm, this outfit is really nice, sweet yet sophisticated, it matches your temperant perfectly."
I rolled my eyes again, unable to hold it back, and unceremoniously said, "They called for Lily, are you Lily?"
Jessica Sawyer helped lissa Chandler tidy her collar and turned to look at upon hearing that, "Is this sothing to fight about? I’m a shareholder in this store, of course, I need to keep an eye out when lissa is shopping here."
What?
She’s a shareholder in this store?
"In that case, lissa, let’s change to another store. I think the taste of this store’s clothes doesn’t match you."
Jessica Sawyer’s face instantly changed, "Lily, you’re jealous! Jealous that my career is better than yours, jealous that the Carter Family likes more than you."
"What’s the point of being liked by the Carter Family anyway, when Daniel doesn’t like you? It’s all in vain."
I retorted, but deep down I understood what lissa had said during dinner.
Jessica Sawyer is charming and versatile, really knows how to please people.
Such a person, even if the Carter Family knows she’s a bit flamboyant, deliberately flattering, they wouldn’t expose her.
After all, nobody dislikes hearing good things.
And indeed, in social circles, this skill is very advantageous, and maintaining connections with the Carter Family is a great benefit.
But my personality is awkward and stubborn.
Adrian Gordon’s mother once told that my personality was bad, far inferior compared to Sophie Miller.
I never expected that after Sophie passed away, there would be a new "prototype" to starkly contrast with once again.
Jessica Sawyer stood next to lissa Chandler, glaring at from a few ters away, clearly stung by my words.
But just for a mont, she quickly regained her enthusiastic smile, "lissa, don’t listen to Lily. This one suits you very well. Try out all the ones you like, I’ll gift them to you as a New Year’s present."
"No need, I shouldn’t accept rewards without effort." lissa Chandler smiled politely and turned to walk to the fitting room, "I’ll change out."
"lissa, it’s not necessary! You really look great in it!" Jessica Sawyer followed her, persuading her.
I stood still, feeling inexplicably gratified watching this scene.
Have to admit, lissa Chandler is truly supportive!
Throughout the Carter Family, she’s probably the only one standing by now.
And I... will most likely end up disappointing her.
A few minutes later, lissa Chandler changed back into her previous clothes and ca out to look at , "Lily, let’s go, let’s shop sowhere else."
"Mm." I smiled and nodded, linking arms with her.
Since she’s so supportive, I should be passionate too, and at necessary tis, learn a thing or two from Jessica Sawyer.
We walked out arm in arm, and as we were about to leave the store, Jessica Sawyer’s voice rang again.
"Lily, if you don’t let go voluntarily, sooner or later you will harm him."
Her voice was serious and earnest, not like an empty threat—more as if she knew sothing.
I turned back to look at her, slightly squinting my eyes, "Would you deliberately harm him just to break up and Daniel?"
"Heh... you’re giving too much credit, I don’t have that capability. Even if I did, if it got uncovered later, I’d be deed a criminal of the Carter Family. The only one who can harm him is you."
I stood frozen, unmoving, as those ominous premonitions ca to mind once more.
lissa Chandler took my hand, "Co on, don’t listen to her alarmist talk."
Out of the store, I still felt uneasy.
"lissa, let be honest with you, I received a text from an unknown number early this morning. I suspect it was Adrian Gordon who sent it. He said your brother might get into trouble... And now Jessica Sawyer is saying the sa thing. Also, besides the WeChat ssage your brother sent at three or four in the morning, there’s been no news from him, and I can’t reach him by phone or get a reply on WeChat..."
I stopped walking and turned to face her, my unease and premonitions unable to be dispelled.
"lissa, I think sothing might have really happened to your brother, sothing even your mom might not know, but your father should know."
lissa Chandler stared at , looking panicked after I finished speaking, "No way... What could happen to my brother, he seed fine when he ca back last night—"
"I don’t know either, but I just have a bad feeling."
"Don’t worry, I’ll ask my mom when I go back tonight."
"What about your dad?"
"He’s super busy, left again after getting up this morning, there’s sothing going on in the province."
Thinking about it, soone with his status and position can’t possibly have ti to rest at ho.
After this conversation, lissa Chandler didn’t feel like shopping anymore.
We wandered around the mall for a bit, then she said she wanted to go ho. I didn’t try to persuade her to stay, and after saying goodbye, we each got into our cars and left.
Not wanting to sit around at ho lost in thought, I drove over to my grandmother’s.
Aunt wasn’t around, and my grandmother imdiately noticed I was troubled when she saw .
"What’s wrong? Did you have a fight with Carter Junior?" my grandmother asked with concern.
I shook my head, turned and hugged my grandmother, only murmuring after a long silence, "Grandma, am I unworthy of happiness?"
"Nonsense." My grandmother looked down at and pretended to be angry, tapped on the shoulder, "Why wouldn’t you be worthy? You’re more worthy than anyone!"
"I don’t feel it..."
"Still saying you didn’t fight with Carter Junior? You’re even saying such silly things."
I remained hugging my grandmother, my eyes vacant and my mind slowly going blank.
Eventually, I couldn’t help but whisper, "I love Daniel Carter, love him more than I thought, but I... am going to break up with him."
"Why?" My grandmother was shocked.
I said nothing, tears irresistibly falling from my eyes.
Truly uncontrollable.
As soon as I think about leaving Daniel, never hearing his gentle, pampering voice again, unable to feel his ticulous care, I can’t stop the tears from streaming down.
It seed my grandmother understood sothing, sighing, "With such a family background as Carter Junior’s, we really are reaching too high. There’s a reason why people have always valued equal social status in marriage, reaching too high is exhausting..."
"Mm, I’m tired..."
Striving, struggling, fighting against family, against those I once liked, fighting relentlessly.
For so many years, I am truly exhausted.
Exhausted to the point that I no longer have the strength to love the man I genuinely love.
Daniel Carter...
In my heart, I pray, you must be okay, you must co back soon.
However, heaven did not hear my prayer.
As the Spring Festival holiday ended, everyone returned to work.
I beca busy once again.
Yet, even after several days, there was still no news from Daniel Carter.
I went to Daniel Carter’s workplace, that military factory, and found the secretary, William Harris, who was at work as usual.
But even he didn’t know exactly where Daniel had gone, only that he was on a business trip.
But I knew, it definitely wasn’t just a business trip.
I waited anxiously for a week, not waiting for Daniel to return, but instead for a visit from Mrs. Carter.
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