Chapter 133: Chapter 133

I was shocked and stared at him.

He hurriedly clarified, "I don’t mean anything else. I just purely feel that renting place is a bit unjust for you, and also for your pug. It doesn’t have much space to move around."

"You’re quite considerate, even taking care of my dog." I gave him a sideways glance, half-smiling, but feeling overjoyed inside.

This god-like boyfriend of mine.

Daniel Carter noticed me suppressing a smile and immediately became bolder, stepping forward to take my hand, his thumb gently stroking the back of my hand.

"Love me, love my dog, right? Your dog is quite friendly to me, so of course, I have to consider its situation too."

After coaxing me with these words, his eyes appeared more tender and affectionate, and he asked again, "What do you think? If you like it here, move in. I promise not to overstep any boundaries and guarantee that until you fully accept me, I will respect you 100%, okay?"

His half-coaxing, half-sweet-talking tone was really hard for me to resist.

But I still hesitated.

On one hand, moving in felt like completely entrusting myself to him. A single man and woman together, the slightest spark could lead to more; then "roommates" would become cohabiting partners.

On the other hand, I was afraid that if I moved in now, I might end up having to flee like a refugee with a bunch of bags when we break up, which no matter how you look at it, seems pitifully embarrassing, so maybe it’s better not to move in at all.

But this real reason, I couldn’t say out loud to the affectionate Daniel Carter.

Thus, I could only politely refuse, "Actually, a house is just a place to sleep for me; no matter how big or small, it makes no difference."

Even if this place covers a thousand square meters, has five floors, and seven or eight rooms, I’d just be sleeping in one bed.

Daniel Carter looked at me silently, and I somewhat guiltily lowered my eyelashes.

After a moment, he seemed to understand and took a light breath: "Alright, let’s not move in yet and talk about it after some time."

"It’s getting late; I’ll take you back."

He took my hand and walked towards the door.

I followed by his side, looking up at his handsome and deep profile, feeling more guilty inside.

"Did you bring me here just to talk about this?"

"Yes, your place is a bit far from my company, and the neighborhood is relatively old..."

Indeed. Back then, I wanted to divorce Adrian Gordon and hurriedly moved out of the villa without having much time to search for a place, so I just quickly rented one that seemed okay.

Thinking about this matter, I suddenly remembered that the villa Adrian Gordon and I intended to use for our marriage hasn’t been transferred yet.

I quietly thought to myself that after the court session tomorrow, I should discuss this with him and find a time to transfer the villa to him.

After all, he was quick to give me that amount of money back then, and I’ve used up all the money, so the house should rightly be returned to him.

"Once I’m done with this period, I’ll look at the houses. When the year-end bonus comes in, I’ll pay you back some of the money and keep some for myself, maybe buy a small apartment with a mortgage first." I followed Daniel Carter’s words, planning my own future.

I absolutely can’t go back to the Miller Family.

A villa or a large flat is beyond my current financial capability.

Getting a small apartment should be fine. After all, it’s just me and a dog, easy to manage.

Daniel Carter took me in the car and curiously turned back to ask, "You still want to pay me back?"

I fastened my seatbelt and said very seriously, "Why wouldn’t I pay back?"

Understanding what he meant, I added, "What I owe you isn’t just a few hundred bucks, but a couple of figures that most ordinary people wouldn’t even dare imagine! So just because I became your girlfriend, does that mean the debt should be erased? Who would I be then?"

Feelings are feelings, and debt is debt; these shouldn’t be confused.

Otherwise, what would be the difference between me and a gold-digger?

Daniel Carter nodded seriously: "Yes, being straightforward is very Lily Miller, it’s my fault."

My expression turned sly, and suddenly, I joked, "But can the interest be given a friendship rate?"

He breezily replied, "Sure, you can have a massive discount, and there’s no time limit."

"Thank you, Second Master Carter."

I originally thought that refusing his kind offer would hurt his pride and make him secretly angry.

But as we bantered back and forth, seeing his unchanged demeanor, just like usual, I realized he didn’t mind it at all.

To borrow his words, this is very Daniel Carter—generous, magnanimous, with excellent manners, as is his usual style.

The trial for Amanda Gordon and me proceeded as scheduled.

Seeing Amanda Gordon again, I was so shocked I nearly didn’t recognize her.

She’s gotten so thin, practically skin and bones, with hollowed cheeks, looking terribly worn out.

It’s evident that her days in the detention center were extremely hard.

No wonder—first Olivia Gray publicly kneeled to beg me.

Then Adrian Gordon voluntarily caved, letting me set any conditions.

Pride always precedes a fall.

Now they surely regret it dearly.

Daniel Carter insisted on accompanying me, and I couldn’t refuse, but I didn’t let him appear openly.

He made arrangements with the court and sat in the waiting room, waiting for me to finish the hearing.

The lawyer and Cherry accompanied me to court.

Actually, the case itself isn’t complicated. What’s complex is the power of the Gordon Family competing with the forces backing me.

If it weren’t for Daniel Carter’s high-profile confession on New Year’s, the Gordon Family might have really overpowered me and gotten Amanda Gordon out.

Although Daniel Carter didn’t directly intervene in the trial, everyone in town knows about my relationship with him.

Moreover, he’s sitting in the lounge next door at this moment, creating an invisible pressure that makes the judge dare not slack off for even a moment.

By the final stage of the debate, it was evident that my chances of winning were greater.

Suddenly, Olivia Gray let out a wail from the audience seats and jumped up to kneel before everyone.

"Your Honor, my daughter knows she’s wrong. She was just momentarily confused. She truly realizes her mistake... I beg you to be lenient and let her go. If she goes to prison, it’s like a death sentence for both me and her!"

Olivia Gray, despite being the respectable wife of the Gordon Family, completely lost her image and began to cry loudly in public.

Her outburst blatantly disrespected the court’s order.

Despite multiple warnings from the judge, he had no choice but to announce a recess.

Amanda Gordon was to be taken away, and as I watched her lifeless, gaunt appearance, a thought crossed my mind, and I suddenly stood up.

"Amanda Gordon, if you apologize to me publicly now, I can accept an out-of-court settlement. I ask the judge to show leniency."

I am no saint, but I thought of the fact that she was carrying a rapist’s child; that punishment alone was enough.

And now that my career and love life are flourishing, everything’s smooth sailing.

There’s really no need for me to make things difficult for her.

Leniency could be seen as adding to my own merit.

The moment I said this, everyone in the courtroom was stunned.

A moment later, Olivia Gray suddenly rushed forward but was stopped by the court bailiff.

"Amanda, apologize to her! Apologize quickly! Don’t be stubborn!" Olivia Gray clearly knew her daughter and immediately urged her, overwhelmed with agitation.

But Amanda Gordon, several meters away, glared at me with anger in her eyes, gritting her teeth: "Lily Miller, you’re still trying to humiliate me!"

I smiled, quite speechless, "Is this humiliation? You hurt me, and I ask for an apology. Is that too much to ask?"

Suddenly Olivia Gray shouted, "Lily Miller! I apologize on her behalf. Amanda apologizes to you, and so does the Gordon Family. Don’t hold it against her. If a verbal apology isn’t enough, I—"

"Mom! Shut up!" Amanda Gordon turned to Olivia Gray, scolding, "She’s just doing this to see you beg. Don’t fall for it!"

"Lily Miller, who needs your fake kindness! If you have the guts, kill me. As long as you don’t kill me, once I’m out, I will make you regret it!" Amanda Gordon, almost hysterical, cursed and screamed at me.

I hated myself thoroughly!

I shouldn’t have let my merciful heart overflow. Serves me right! ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ ⓝovelFire.net

"Fine, you’ve got backbone. Then go ahead and spend some quality time in prison." With these words, I turned and left.

Upon seeing Daniel Carter, I hadn’t even uttered a word when he sighed and said, "Why do you always get soft at critical moments?"

Evidently, he was aware of everything that had happened in the courtroom.

I pursed my lips, feeling stifled, and replied truthfully, "I just feel that I’m living so happily now, why bother with unhappy things? Letting her off could be seen as adding to my merit, but she doesn’t appreciate it."

Having said this, I looked at him and self-deprecatingly asked, "Did I just humiliate myself?"

Daniel Carter shook his head, "To forgive when forgiveness is due is not wrong. The fault lies with them."

"Thanks for your comfort. Let’s go, the court has recessed. We’ll wait for the next hearing notification."

With a subdued spirit, I bid farewell to the lawyer and left with Daniel Carter and Cherry.

Just as we stepped down the stairs and before getting into the car, suddenly someone dashed over and lunged directly at Daniel Carter.

"Mr. Carter, I am Lily Miller’s stepmother. Since you’re with Lily, that makes us family. Please, be kind and lend me some money. Lily’s father is seriously ill, and I truly have no more money..."

The incident happened too fast, catching us off guard.

When I finally focused and recognized who was in front of me, my anger exploded, and my mind nearly blew a fuse.

"Shirley Turner, have you no shame! I’ve already said, your life or death is none of my business!" I shoved her away; in that instant, rage scorched through my reason, and I wished Shirley Turner would drop dead right then!

Before Shirley Turner could respond, I grabbed Daniel Carter and quickly led him away.

Shirley Turner tried to catch up, but fortunately, Daniel Carter’s bodyguards appeared in time to stop her.

"Lily Miller! He’s your father, who birthed you and raised you. You must treat his illness, take care of him in old age! Otherwise, I’ll take this to court! Let’s see if the judge would side with you!"

Behind us, Shirley Turner continued to scream threats.

I suppressed my fury, my whole body trembling, feeling like I was stepping on cotton, unsteady, as I clutched Daniel Carter’s hand tightly, veins bulging.

At the car, Daniel Carter tugged on my other arm, gently freeing himself from my grip, and instead wrapped my cramped, rigid hand in his palm.

"Lily Miller, Lily, look at me, calm down..." he gently soothed me, trying to awaken my sense of reason.

I turned my gaze towards him, and after a while, as my breathing calmed somewhat, I hoarsely said, "Sorry, did I scare you..."

"It’s okay." He remained gentle, then opened the car door for me.

His driver and bodyguard were still entangled with Shirley Turner, so he slipped into the driver’s seat.

Cherry said she had to return to the company and didn’t join us.

The car quickly left the courthouse, driving for about half an hour before stopping by the roadside on Larwynn Avenue.