Chapter 151: Chapter 151

I froze inside, subconsciously looking at Daniel Carter.

"Grandpa, Jiang..." Daniel was about to speak, but the old master interrupted, "I’m just chatting casually with Miss Miller, why are you anxious? How could I harm your lifesaver?"

Although Old Master Carter seemed amiable towards me, the constant address of "Miss Miller" made it clear to me.

—This hurdle, I didn’t pass.

The implication from the old master was that gratitude is gratitude, and reality is reality.

The reality is, I come from the Miller Family, whose members have a tarnished history that can’t match the Carter Family.

Even though it wasn’t stated explicitly, I understood clearly.

"Yes, my father made some mistakes in business, which landed him in prison, but due to his recent health issues, he applied for medical parole."

I spoke the truth, without hiding anything.

Old Master Carter nodded, "I heard you were the one who turned him in, prioritizing righteousness over family?"

The old master’s eyes showed appreciation, "You are exactly the same as when you were a child—courageous and resolute."

"Thank you for the compliment, Grandpa."

"Ah..." The old master suddenly sighed, his gaze becoming slightly melancholy, "It’s good that Daniel found you and could repay this debt, very good, very good..."

Does it mean Daniel falling in love with me is a way to repay the life-saving grace from back then?

I looked at the man beside me, Daniel also looked at me, and then spoke again, "Grandpa, I’m with Lily Miller because I like her, and it has nothing to do with past debts—of course, I met her because she saved me, but being with her is not out of a sense of gratitude."

I felt very grateful, unable to stop staring at him intently.

No matter what happens between him and me in the end, his defense of me and our relationship in front of the elders deeply moved me, and I don’t regret having been with him.

Old Master Carter nodded, then picked up his tea cup again, "I understand what you mean. When you’re young, it’s good to experience everything. Meeting a girl you like and feeling the taste of romance is important so that after marriage, you can be content—don’t you agree, Miss Miller?"

Inside, I was shocked, my face prickling as if by needles.

The old master’s words couldn’t have been more explicit.

He meant that one can choose to date whomever they like to fulfill personal desires and wishes.

But marriage would have to align with family arrangements.

"Yes, Grandpa." I could only smile in agreement.

Daniel suddenly stood up: "Grandpa, I brought Lily back today to say that I want to marry her and be together with her. You know, I’ve waited for her for several years, originally thinking there was no chance, but to my surprise..."

"Daniel, you’re still young, your career is just beginning, why rush into marriage?" Old Master Carter interrupted Daniel.

"Grandpa, I’m almost—"

Daniel was eager to fight for it, tightening my heart, and I quickly stood up, holding his arm, shaking my head slightly at him.

The old master was advanced in age, unable to handle such stimulation.

But Daniel didn’t heed my words; he took my hand off his arm and firmly held it in his palm.

As if deliberately showing Old Master Carter his determination to be with me.

I secretly tried to pull away, but couldn’t break free.

With a sharp gaze, Old Master Carter eyed his grandson holding my hand, his emotions unreadable: "I have my reasons for wanting you to focus on your career first. Look at your big brother, he’s two years older than you, and has been serving the country wholeheartedly in the military for years, seldom coming home to visit. I understand that the outside world can be distracting, but the topic of marriage can be postponed for now."

"Grandpa, that’s because my big brother—"

Daniel still wanted to argue, but I quickly grabbed his hand, and interjected, "Grandpa’s right, a man should indeed prioritize his career, especially as a descendant of the Carter Family, we cannot let romantic pursuits delay important matters."

Old Master Carter nodded satisfactorily, "Miss Miller sees the big picture. Daniel has a good eye."

I smiled bitterly within.

This "big picture" was something I was forced to see.

But I wasn’t planning to marry again so quickly anyway, so Old Master Carter’s attitude inadvertently relieved some pressure off me.

It was actually a good thing for me.

With my words smoothing things over, the atmosphere relaxed a bit.

Daniel and I stepped back and sat down again.

A person came into the courtyard, dressed and looking like someone who worked closely with the old master.

"Old Master, Elder Mr. Sawyer and Miss Sawyer have arrived."

I was stunned, Elder Mr. Sawyer? Miss Sawyer?

Could it be that Jessica Sawyer had arrived?

"Invite them in," Old Master Carter raised his hand, his face visibly different, looking expectantly welcoming.

I looked towards Daniel, my expression growing more complex.

He remained completely composed, whispering, "Don’t worry, it’s alright. Let’s sit a bit longer and then head to the main house; it’s almost lunchtime."

Before he finished speaking, Jessica Sawyer entered the courtyard, holding the arm of an elderly gentleman, and soon stepped into the living room.

I remember Daniel Carter once said that Old Master Sawyer was a subordinate of Old Master Carter and just retired this year.

Compared to Old Master Carter, Old Master Sawyer indeed looks much younger and more vigorous. He’s very slim, and his back is straight, clearly someone who comes from a military background.

Although I had known about this for a long time, I was still a bit surprised inside.

When I was in university, I had heard that Jessica Sawyer’s family background was particularly good.

Every weekend and holiday, she was picked up and dropped off by a driver and a nanny, very respectfully, just like on TV.

Back then, I just assumed she was simply rich; nothing too impressive.

After all, I had quite a few wealthy people around me, like Wennie Lane, Nora Saunders, the Gordon Family, all from prominent backgrounds.

But now I realize how shallow my understanding was. It turns out their ancestors not only had money but also held significant power, more than ordinary power.

Suddenly, I understood why she never liked me then, always targeting me.

With her family background, she must have been adored by everyone from a young age, with no one daring to overshadow her. Yet, by chance, we ended up at the same college, and I took away the attention, how could she not be upset?

"Hello, Grandpa Carter." As soon as Jessica Sawyer entered, she immediately greeted sweetly.

Old Master Carter replied with a smile and then turned his eyes toward Daniel Carter beside me.

Before the old master could speak, Daniel Carter immediately nodded, "Hello, Grandpa Sawyer, hello, Miss Sawyer."

I knew that the Sawyer family had been visiting the Carter Family frequently lately, so this wasn’t Daniel Carter’s first meeting with Jessica Sawyer.

His address of "Miss Sawyer" surprised me with its formality.

Jessica Sawyer looked at him openly, "Brother Daniel, are you okay from last night? My grandfather heard about the incident last night and specially came to see you and Melissa."

I understood in my heart that this visit was for Daniel Carter.

It seemed she didn’t mind at all that Daniel Carter already had a girlfriend; she continued to care and admire him as she should.

Honestly, this was reminiscent of how Sophie Miller liked Adrian Gordon back then.

At Sophie Miller’s eighteenth birthday party, she openly confessed to Adrian Gordon in front of all the guests, saying her biggest wish in life was to marry Adrian Gordon.

At that time, I was Adrian Gordon’s girlfriend, and I was completely ignored.

Today’s scene is really identical to back then.

I just don’t know if Jessica Sawyer will be as "lucky" as Sophie Miller and really become the bride of her dream man in the end.

"I’m fine, thank you Miss Sawyer for your concern, and also thank you for the clothes last night." Daniel Carter replied politely.

Jessica Sawyer smiled, "Brother Daniel, you’re too polite; it’s just a piece of clothing, it’s nothing."

Before she finished speaking, her gaze shifted to me, with a hint of provocation and disdain in her smile that only I could understand. Find the newest release on nοvelfire.net

Last night, after adding her on WeChat, I transferred her thirty thousand immediately.

She didn’t accept it and returned it.

Apparently, she thought the favor was directed towards Daniel Carter and had nothing to do with me, so she disdainfully refused the money.

"Lily Miller, you’re here too..." After laughing, she greeted me directly.

I smiled back, "Yes, I came specifically to visit Grandpa Carter."

Old Master Carter was a bit surprised, "You two know each other?"

Jessica Sawyer said, "Grandpa Carter, Lily Miller and I are more than just acquaintances; we were university classmates in the same department. Back when we were studying, Lily Miller was a prominent figure in our department, no, I should say in the entire school."

Old Master Carter’s expression showed some interest, and he gestured for everyone to sit down.

The servants served tea.

Jessica Sawyer looked at me deliberately and asked, "Isn’t that so, Lily Miller? You’re beautiful, outstanding in every aspect, with countless male students pursuing and admiring you throughout the school. Unfortunately, you became Young Master Gordon’s girlfriend as soon as you entered school, breaking the hearts of many male students."

I coldly smiled inside, not at all surprised by Jessica Sawyer’s antics.

The situation between Adrian Gordon and me has been a city-rumored topic for the past few months.

Just as the attention was slowly fading, and I began a new relationship with Daniel Carter—this old rival came to create trouble and even joked about it in front of Daniel Carter’s grandpa.

After thinking it over, I opened my mouth calmly and self-deprecatingly, "I was young and naive then, thinking sincere hearts could be exchanged, but ended up losing terribly, making many people laugh."

I didn’t argue about anything.

Because there’s no way to argue.

It’s better to admit openly, placing myself as the victim, retreating to advance.

"Isn’t Miss Sawyer also laughing at me in your heart?" I paused, then directly teased her as she did, "Since college, we’ve been neck and neck, and seeing me stumble in relationships now must make you happy."

Hah, I don’t care if there are elders present, whatever needs to be said must be said.

Sure enough, my words piqued the interest of the two old masters.

Old Master Sawyer turned his head to ask his granddaughter, "Jessica, do you not get along with Miss Miller?"

"No, it’s just that in some projects or competitions in the department, there are limited spots, so competition is unavoidable." Jessica Sawyer smiled, finding an excuse for herself.

"Lily Miller is impressive, I’m not as good, nothing more to say." She turned to me and finished this statement, visibly a bit displeased.

So I followed suit and said, "Miss Sawyer is humble; actually, it’s just that those things didn’t catch your eye, so I was lucky to pick up the slack."

"..." Jessica Sawyer gave me a glance and laughed, "As long as you know."

The atmosphere was awkwardly tense.