Chapter 126: Chapter 126

Daniel Carter originally lowered his gaze with a slightly embarrassed expression. Upon hearing me utter those three words, his demeanor paused, and his gaze landed on my face.

Soon after, his handsome and deep features broke into a joyful, radiant smile. His thin lips pressed together again and again, unable to suppress the widening arc of his grin.

Looking at the bright smile between his eyebrows, it seemed like a flame that ignited everything around us and illuminated my unfortunate, pitiful life—instantly, my entire heart was enlivened and cheerful.

I couldn’t even hear what my best friend was saying, having lost my ability to respond, until a phrase reached my ear: "Forget it, you definitely don’t have the mind to listen to me now. We can talk later."

When I came to apologize, my best friend had already hung up.

After dropping my phone, I looked at him, my lips pressing together again, but the smile blooming from the depths of my soul still couldn’t be suppressed.

Finally, I lifted my gaze, boldly looking at him, and said with a smile: "Happy New Year, my boyfriend."

Daniel Carter laughed and turned his head away.

Melissa Chandler immediately noticed something was up and came over to tease him: "Brother, what are you laughing at? What did Lily Miller say to you that made you laugh ?"

Another friend chimed in, "Miss Miller definitely confessed!"

"A confession should be open and aboveboard; saying it quietly is boring!" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NovelHub(.)net

"Exactly! Miss Miller, confess again—come on!"

I was already embarrassed, and being egged on like that, I felt as if my face was ablaze and didn’t dare look at Daniel Carter.

"Alright, don’t make a fuss." Fortunately, Daniel Carter spoke up in time to shield me, stretching out his long arm to pull me into his embrace, turning to face everyone.

"While we’re all here today, I want to announce—Lily Miller is mine from now on, so please take good care of her."

His words appeared restrained and modest, yet were a reminder to them: from now on, even if you want to mess with her, you must consider her protector.

The analogy wasn’t quite appropriate, but that was the gist.

It implied that incidents like the recent influencers slandering me would come to an end and should never happen again.

Young Master Ryder was the first to express, "Daniel, do you even need to say this? If Miss Miller ever needs anything, just give a command."

I couldn’t be so bold, quickly replying, "Young Master Ryder, you’re too kind."

I knew they were apprehensive about Daniel Carter’s status, which was why they were so polite and respectful toward me, their words flattering.

If I truly believed them and immediately started matching them with arrogance, who knows what they would say about me behind my back.

Which would also affect Daniel Carter’s reputation.

So, even for Daniel Carter’s sake, I must be discreet and act properly.

Outside, more than half the city was still setting off fireworks, rising one after another, everywhere immersed in the joyful atmosphere of the New Year.

Inside, beside and embracing Daniel Carter, I stood admiring the bustling night view of the city, savoring the sweet fragrance of love.

I’m becoming more aware that Daniel Carter’s previous words were right.

My feelings for Adrian Gordon might really not be that of romantic love.

We’ve been together for more than six years, and it seems we never had such intense, fervent moments.

Even when our relationship was confirmed, it felt naturally fitting, like everything naturally fell into place, and there wasn’t this feeling of one’s entire heart in exuberant excitement.

It seems back then I just wanted a safe harbor, to break away from the Miller Family, that hell-like original family earlier.

Survival instincts surpassed everything, and I didn’t have the energy to feel what true love is.

Now thinking back, I really should thank Adrian Gordon for his "kindness of not marrying me."

My phone kept ringing, and in moments, a huge pile of messages flooded in via WeChat.

Friends from various channels saw that drone performance and all came to inquire what was going on, asking whether the female lead in that story was me, and who the male lead really was, if it was the rumored Second Master Carter of the mysterious red Carter family in Brindlewood.

Looking at the messages, I didn’t know which one to reply to.

Daniel Carter sensed something unusual and came over to ask, "What’s wrong?"

I tilted my phone towards him, complaining, "Look, how should I reply..."

He chuckled, "Just reply truthfully."

"Then you’ll be trending on social media for the next few days."

He didn’t care, "I haven’t done anything illegal, so let it trend, there’s nothing to fear."

I pursed my lips, half-smiling shyly, glancing at him, "This is completely contrary to your usual low-key and mysterious manner."

He said sincerely and gently, "If high profile just once means keeping you safe, then it’s worth it."

"..." I looked at him and was again stunned.

During this period, I’ve asked myself countless times, what virtue or ability do I possess that lets me encounter such a perfect, exceptional, flawless man.

Just because of a youthful coincidence saving him twice, bringing about his steadfast guardianship, my life finds fortune amid misfortune.

Perhaps I expended all the luck of my lifetime in this encounter with him.

The phone rang again, interrupting my daze.

Looking down at it, I saw it was a strange number, in a fluster I answered hesitantly, "Hello."

"Lily Miller, are you officially together with Daniel Carter?" A familiar voice came from the other side, stopping the smile on my face.

It seemed he got the news too.

In a good mood, I wasn’t in a rush to hang up, calmly replied, "Yes, by the way, I should thank you."

"Are you mocking me?" he asked coldly.

I chuckled, clearly stating, "Just a bit, I think you’re blind as a bat, playing a great hand disastrously. But indeed, I thank you for not marrying me, giving me the chance to meet a truly good man."

Daniel Carter, hearing who I was talking to, looked slightly serious and glanced at me with concern.

I gave him a reassuring look, signaling him not to be tense.

"A good man? Ha... Lily Miller, do you think you two can really have a happy ending?" Adrian Gordon jeered.

"What happens to us is none of your concern. With your wrecked body, you may not even see that day and are wasting your worries." I coldly scoffed.

Suddenly it was silent on the other end.

I don’t know if he was too angry to speak.

"Hanging up now, don’t call me again. The best ex is one who might as well be dead and never appears again. I can manage that, hope you can too."

Leaving those words, I hung up without waiting for the other side to respond.

Daniel Carter’s concern quickly arrived: "Is he still frequently contacting you?"

I shook my head, "No, he hasn’t in recent days. Probably tonight he saw the overwhelming news, got provoked, and wanted to taunt me a bit to vent."

"Don’t pay him any attention, let me find a time to talk with the Gordon Family."

"It’s useless, he’s already lost it, no one can control him." I didn’t want Daniel Carter interacting with the Gordon Family, fearful it might bring trouble.

But fearing he wouldn’t heed my advice and might act on his own accord, I looked at him seriously saying, "Don’t involve yourself with the Gordon Family, I’ll just not answer his calls in the future. He’s bedridden and can’t come to find me."

Daniel Carter remained silent.

I grew anxious, "Did you hear? Don’t go looking for him, this person isn’t worth wasting your time and effort."