Chapter 118: Chapter 118

I couldn’t hold back any longer, quickly pushed a bowl of soup in front of him, and interrupted, "Eat up, eat up, drink the soup, drink the soup. Let’s not talk about these things!"

"Grandma, you and auntie don’t need to ask anymore. I have my own plans, and I will consider everything carefully before making a decision."

I blocked both sides, just wanting to finish the meal first.

Auntie also realized that even together with Grandma, they were no match for Daniel, so she immediately took a step back: "Right, right, you guys eat quickly. The food will get cold soon."

I glanced at Daniel secretly, breathed a sigh of relief, and continued drinking the soup.

He also glanced at me, but his eyes were filled with a smile, not a hint of awkwardness or tension.

With his background, he was accustomed to big occasions since childhood, always confident, steady, calm, and in control.

There’s nothing in this world that could make him lose his composure or get flustered.

After the meal, Daniel was about to leave.

I wanted to get up and see him off, but he quickly held me down: "Just sit well, continue to rest in bed in the afternoon, remember what the doctor said, don’t try to be strong."

I pursed my lips, looked at him again to express my thanks: "Thank you for today."

"Still saying this with me?" Daniel replied softly, looking at me gently.

"Grandma, Auntie, Mr. Carter is leaving." I turned to the sofa to remind them.

Auntie immediately stood up to help me see him off, "Mr. Carter, we really owe you these past few days. Lily is always reporting good news but concealing the bad, we didn’t even know she got injured."

"She’s just afraid you’ll worry, especially Grandma, since she just got released from the hospital." Daniel remained humble and elegant.

Grandma also wanted to get up but was stopped by Daniel. After both sides exchanged courteous goodbyes, Daniel finally stepped out of the house and left.

Auntie turned back, her gaze immediately falling on me.

I knew, the interrogation was about to start.

But unexpectedly, the first question Auntie asked while looking at me was: "How tall is Mr. Carter exactly? Nearly two meters, right?"

I was stunned, then responded, "No... I never asked, but he’s definitely around six foot three."

Obviously, Daniel’s charm had an ageless effect on women—Auntie was also "charmed" by him.

"Six foot three, no wonder you have to look up to talk to him. He’s handsome and has a great presence."

Auntie couldn’t stop praising, but the gossip was interrupted by Grandma’s somewhat serious comment: "You’re focusing on the wrong things."

"..." Auntie’s face froze.

Grandma looked at me, her tone solemn, "Lily, what’s going on between you and Mr. Carter? You haven’t even finalized your divorce, yet you’re so close to him. If people find out, it could lead to rumors!"

I poked at the food in my bowl, lost my appetite, and said quietly, "I know the gap between him and me, I’ve rejected him a few times, but he’s just too good to me..."

Grandma suddenly sighed, "It’s not your fault, such an outstanding man, with impeccable looks, knowledge, manners... everything is perfect..."

Auntie immediately agreed: "Exactly, the key is that such an excellent, perfect man is making the first move. It’s indeed difficult not to feel tempted."

Grandma glanced at Auntie again, who immediately fell silent.

"..." I remained silent, not knowing how to respond.

I really did try hard to restrain myself.

But no one can resist Daniel.

Especially someone like me, who is extremely deprived of love.

The living room stayed quiet for a while, then Grandma’s concern broke the silence: "The problem isn’t just our family’s lack of background, it’s all the messy trouble at home. Jason is in prison, your divorce is such a mess, and Shirley with the Gordon family, they won’t let you go easily. If you and Daniel get together, we’re afraid our pile of troubles will burden him. Even if he doesn’t mind, you won’t be able to bear the pressure."

"Grandma, I understand your concerns. I worry about these things too, which is why I haven’t agreed to him yet."

I responded to Grandma, but in my mind, I recalled Daniel’s advice.

He said for me to be more selfish, only then could I be happier.

But it’s really hard to change my nature.

My family, they’re either extremely shameless, like Jason and his kind; or extremely kind-hearted, like Grandma.

I also want to just live in the present glory and excitement, enjoy first and talk later, but I’m afraid of eventually hurting those who treasure me dearly.

If that happens, I’d be guilty for a lifetime.

"Mismatched social standings create too many barriers to being together. You’ve been through it once, you should understand how unpredictable people’s hearts are." Grandma stopped there, but I fully understood.

People’s hearts are unpredictable, and feelings change easily. The elder is worried that Daniel’s love for me is only temporary; the deeper I fall, the more intense the pain will be when we part.

How could I not know this?

But right now, I truly can’t stop my defenses from crumbling.

The next day, Cherry came over to see me and brought some documents for me to sign.

"Ms. Lily, the night Mr. Carter took you away, on the way back, President Yance was asking me about Mr. Carter’s identity and your relationship..."

I looked up from the documents and glanced at her, "So how did you answer?"

"At first, I was a bit confused... then I thought about it and said, Mr. Carter was initially our client, but now he and you are just friends."

After she finished, Cherry looked a bit worried, "Is that okay to say?"

I smiled a little, lowered my head to continue going through the documents, and casually replied, "It’s fine. We really are just friends now."

Cherry giggled, teasingly said, "Mr. Carter holds you like that, and you’re just friends?"

I gave her a sidelong glance, pretending to be strict, "Do more work, gossip less!"

"Got it, got it. Even if I gossip about anyone, I wouldn’t dare gossip about the boss, hehe..."

Cherry was all grins, but suddenly turned serious, "But Mr. Carter really is very nice, Ms. Lily, you shouldn’t worry about those outside opinions. If you like him, just be with him. It’s not easy to find such a perfect partner."

It seems that people around have more or less heard about the online remarks lately.

However, after experiencing the online public hatred during my marital troubles, these small rumors aren’t surprising to anyone.

"Hmm, maybe one day we’ll have Mr. Carter treat you to dinner since you speak so highly of him." I pressed a smile at the corner of my mouth and bantered with my assistant.

"No, no," Cherry immediately backed off, "Mr. Carter is way out of reach, I only dare admire from afar."

Indeed, I used to feel the same way about Daniel.

"Oh, there’s one more thing..." Cherry shifted her tone, "Ms. Lily, I feel that... President Yance also seems very concerned about you."

I had just closed the file, and hearing this, I frowned and looked at her, "What do you mean? Are you saying President Yance also..."

"Not sure, but the way he asked those questions that night made it seem like he was very concerned."

"You’re probably overthinking it. Given President Yance’s qualifications, can’t he find any girlfriend he wants? Why would he be interested in me?" I casually denied it, but in my heart, slight ripples formed. Updates are released by Novᴇl_Fire(.)net