Chapter 48: Chapter 48

I couldn’t find words to describe myself, I just felt utterly embarrassed, unable to lift my head in front of him.

Daniel Carter noticed my unbearable embarrassment, wishing I could just disappear, and he very gentlemanly comforted me: "Occasionally having fun with friends can help release stress and tension, which is a good thing. Besides, apart from me, no one else knows how you lost control that night—rest assured, your secret is safe with me."

The last sentence was delivered with a touch of humor, and his eyes seemed to carry a hint of... subtle flirtation.

My face was awkwardly facing him, my expression stiff.

A moment later, I felt even more embarrassed, my cheeks burning hot.

My heart started racing again, and my mind couldn’t help but wander.

A woman’s intuition told me that there was something off about the way things were between us, really off.

But I couldn’t say it outright, what if he didn’t have those thoughts at all? If I blurted it out rashly, it would only make me seem self-absorbed and make our interaction more awkward.

So I went along with his humor and jokingly replied, "Thank you for that—I’ll treat you to this afternoon’s tea as a token of appreciation."

"Alright." Daniel Carter smiled elegantly, raising his cup to gesture at me from a distance.

I lifted my hot cocoa towards him, then sipped it quickly to hide my flushed face and flickering eyes.

Secretary Harris appeared out of nowhere, nodded politely at me, and then bent over to remind Daniel Carter, "Chairman Carter, it’s time, we need to return to the company, there’s another meeting."

Only then did I realize that Daniel Carter was busy, and he made time to see me.

"Mr. Carter, if you’re busy, then I’ll let you go." I stood up, smiling at him.

"Mm." Daniel Carter also stood up, Secretary Harris grabbed his coat and put away the business laptop.

Daniel Carter got out of his seat, raising his arm slightly, "Let’s go down together."

"Alright." Being able to be with him for a while more made my heart feel a little warm.

While waiting for the elevator, Daniel Carter suddenly turned to me: "Oh, I almost forgot the main thing. Tomorrow night is my mother’s birthday banquet, you’re invited— I forgot to bring the invitation, but it’s a genuine invitation."

"Ah?" I was taken aback, feeling nervous, "This... isn’t appropriate, we’re not even related..."

The key is, I don’t belong to that social class.

Daniel Carter explained: "My mother specifically reminded me a couple of days ago to invite you, but those days... you somewhat, um, misunderstood me, so I hesitated to bring it up."

"Don’t worry, it’s a gathering of friends and family, easy to get along with, and perhaps you might even meet some affluent wives and daughters, who can later become your VIP clients." Daniel Carter said with a smile.

I stuck my tongue out, "How could that be possible, stop joking around."

At the grand birthday banquet of the Carter family’s matriarch, how could a down-and-out lady like me develop clients there?

Wouldn’t I get kicked out?

"It’s not a joke, it’s true, remember to come tomorrow night, I’ll send someone to pick you up." Daniel Carter reiterated.

Seeing the sincerity on his face, I couldn’t refuse, so I nodded in agreement.

The elevator arrived, Secretary Harris stepped forward, holding an arm across the door, letting Daniel Carter and me enter first.

I stood next to him obediently, clutching my handbag, like a student scared of the head teacher.

"That night when I sent you back, I met Mr. Gordon at the club, he seemed to and kept watch under your building all night—between you two... still unresolved?" Daniel Carter asked seemingly casually as the elevator descended.

I was taken aback, surprised.

So Daniel Carter knew that Adrian Gordon stayed under my building all night?

Actually, I found out about this from Adrian Gordon himself on my birthday at my grandma’s place, when he questioned my relationship with Daniel Carter.

I didn’t expect Daniel Carter knew as well.

Which makes it a bit awkward, especially thinking about the lie I told Adrian Gordon—that I slept with Daniel Carter, many times—made my tongue tie in embarrassment.

"Well... he doesn’t agree to a divorce settlement, so I have to file with the court, the hearing is on the 6th of next month." I explained guiltily, daring not to look at him, with a quick side glance.

"Next month on the 6th, so more than half a month away."

"Yes, that’s how the court arranged it, nothing I can do."

"Mm, no rush." Daniel Carter comforted me, then paused and said, "However, in general, divorce litigation, the first trial is usually mediation, unlikely to go through. It generally requires another lawsuit six months later, and then it’s mostly finalized."

"Yes, the lawyer told me to prepare for the long haul."

So at the earliest, I wouldn’t regain my single status until half a year later.

Daniel Carter nodded, just as the elevator arrived, and we both walked out one after the other.

At the entrance of the building, Daniel Carter’s car was already waiting by the curb.

"Then goodbye, Mr. Carter." I walked with him to the car, raised my hand, smiling as I said goodbye.

Secretary Harris opened the backseat door, Daniel Carter turned back to look at me, "Lily, see you tomorrow night."

I stood by the roadside, watching him get into the car, driving away, my eyes fixed on the back of the car for quite a while before snapping back to reality.

I suddenly remembered something and smacked my forehead with one hand.

So forgetful! We talked so much, yet missed discussing the most important topic!

—Why are Daniel Carter and his family being so nice to me?

But since I’m going to the Carter family banquet tomorrow, I reminded myself to find an opportunity to ask clearly then.

Thinking about Mrs. Carter’s birthday invitation, I felt an unexpected sense of excitement; such an honor, truly a surprise.

That evening, back at home, I opened my wardrobe to search for clothes.

Having moved from the villa to this rental place, the wardrobe was insufficient, many of my gowns weren’t hung up, so I had to search through them piece by piece, which was quite troublesome.

The pug I kept also moved here with me.

I was busy trying on clothes, and the pug circled around my feet, making squeaky noises.

Looks like it’s time to take the dog for a walk.

I found a leash for the pug, changed my shoes, and went downstairs.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I passed the entrance, I ran into Adrian Gordon and also—Shirley Turner.

I sensed trouble: "What are you doing here?"

Adrian Gordon looked gloomy: "Lily, Sophie isn’t going to make it, you should go to the hospital to see her one last time."

My expression froze, momentarily not responding.

To be honest, I have no familial affection for Sophie.

Whether she lives or dies, I am not very concerned.

So after a brief stun, I decisively said, "No need, we’ve never been on good terms, seeing me will only make her resentful, she might not pass peacefully because of that, I better not go stir things up."

I was speaking the truth.

Knowing our rivalry, why go through the charade?

I was afraid that if I saw her go, I might laugh out of joy, which would be quite inappropriate, angering everyone.

Adrian Gordon hesitated to speak, while Shirley Turner, who had been silent beside, suddenly said, "Lily, you must go, go right now!"

I looked at her, frowning.

Seeing my bewilderment, Adrian Gordon explained: "Sophie’s condition is very poor, she hasn’t eaten for days, can’t absorb the nutrient drips, she’s severely anemic, and her platelets are tremendously low—the doctor said..."

Before he could finish, I understood.

It wasn’t about seeing Sophie one last time, but rather about donating blood to save her again.

I didn’t wait for Adrian Gordon to finish, sarcastically interrupted, "You have rare blood too, why don’t you to keep her alive?"

Adrian Gordon replied, his tone heavy, "I gave blood yesterday..." Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn noⅴelfire.net