The manager had just left, only to return with the server bringing in some dishes.
I was surprised. So fast?
Daniel looked at me and explained, "Seeing it’s so late and you haven’t eaten, I figured you must be starving. Right after I called you, I had the restaurant start preparing the food."
"Thank you." I was touched. He was still so attentive, considerate, and thoughtful.
This was the Daniel I knew.
Last night’s misunderstanding really seemed like just that—a misunderstanding.
"Mr. Carter, the dishes are all served," the manager nodded respectfully, "Please enjoy, both of you."
"Alright, unless I call for you, don’t come in," Daniel waved them away.
With the door closed, the room was left quiet with just the two of us.
Having just "argued," meeting again now made the atmosphere a bit awkward.
I glanced at him, hesitating to speak.
He looked at me too, then picked up the utensils, "Let’s eat first. Whatever you want to say, let’s discuss after we’re full."
"Okay." I responded and picked up the utensils, eating quietly. Read complete version only at novel⦿fire.net
But Daniel hardly ate, watching me intently. I noticed but pretended not to.
After wolfing down the food, I quickly felt full and slowed down.
Daniel suddenly smiled, "Are you full? If not, I can order a couple more dishes."
I was lifting my cup to drink water, immediately blushed at his words, and glanced at him, realizing I had eaten too hastily.
After swallowing the water, I became more embarrassed, "I’m full—"
Before I finished, with that half cup of water down, my stomach couldn’t take it, and a long "burp..." escaped my throat, almost bringing the food back up.
I instinctively covered my mouth, cheeks turning redder.
But Daniel’s smile only grew.
I asked, embarrassed and a little angry, "Is it that funny?"
He nodded, continuing, "You ate like a hamster just now."
Seeing my increasing embarrassment, he finally got serious, "Alright, no more teasing. Let’s talk business—are you sure you can go to Carter Manor tomorrow?"
My heart skipped a beat, hesitated, then nodded in confirmation, "I should be able to."
I replied, "Unexpected things happen. How can anything be a hundred percent certain?"
In fact, I was worried Shirley Turner might cause trouble again, so I didn’t dare guarantee I would definitely be free tomorrow.
But hearing my answer, Daniel thought I was still upset.
He reached out, held my hand, and his deep eyes became gentle, "Still unhappy about last night?"
"Saying one thing and meaning another."
I looked at him, correcting, "You were the one who was unhappy yesterday."
His brow furrowed slightly, his usually gentle eyes instantly deep as the sea.
My heart sank, thinking I had upset him.
I knew well enough that while he was gentle and attentive, he could also be stern and formidable.
I vividly remembered visiting his office and seeing how his mere presence could make subordinates break out in a cold sweat.
Someone like that wasn’t without a temper; he just didn’t show it easily.
But once revealed, it was absolutely unbearable.
After saying that, seeing his expression change, my heart tightened a bit.
But then I thought, really, the worst outcome for us had been decided from the start.
Which was breaking up.
Our family backgrounds, my personal circumstances, were all far from matching his.
Having had it once was enough.
With that in mind, I calmed down somewhat, looking at him more openly.
We looked at each other for a few seconds, his thin lips slightly parted, "Yes, I was indeed a bit unhappy yesterday."
"..." I pressed my lips together, not knowing how to respond.
His deep voice continued, "Since we confirmed our relationship, it’s always been me taking the initiative—or rather, even before that, it was ."
"Before...I don’t blame you. Liking someone always comes with its own timing. I willingly did it, so you can’t be blamed."
"But after confirming our relationship, you’re still so passive, even resistant. I asked you to move in, and you wouldn’t. Wanted to buy you a car, initially you refused, later I had to force it on you. Then any issues with your family or the Gordons, you wouldn’t let me be involved. Whatever you want to do, you wouldn’t think to tell me..."
He paused, gaze fixed on me, "What do you think I think?"
Moments ago, I was feeling candid, but now after hearing his list of grievances, I started feeling guilty.
"Daniel, I was worried..."
He raised a hand, gesturing for me not to rush explaining, "I know what you’re going to say—you don’t want to trouble me, don’t want me involved. But before we confirmed our relationship, I already knew this about you. If I feared these issues, why would I pursue you?"
Implying he was prepared before chasing after me.
"You’ve excluded me, unwilling to accept my affection, unwilling to let me integrate into your life—giving me the impression you’re always ready to withdraw from this relationship, to keep entanglements minimal for an easy break."
He looked at me, eyes growing deeper, tone serious, "Lily, do you think I would be happy?"
I was stunned, staring at him blankly, not knowing what to say for a moment.
After a long silence between us, I finally moved my lips, speaking in a low voice, "But even if you’re unhappy, you should say it directly. It’s my fault, I will apologize. I don’t like your cold treatment."
My nature had always been straightforward, solving problems as they came; feigned indifference and non-communication—I couldn’t stand it.
"I did drink too much at the social event last night because I was in a bad mood."
"But before you went, Secretary Harris should have told you I called."
"..." He was silent for a moment, voice a bit awkward, "At that time, I was still angry, indeed didn’t want to come back, wanted to see if you would call again, but nothing came, so I drank more and more..."
I was a bit confused.
He meant that he knew I called and deliberately didn’t answer, wanting to see if I would call again?
Then the whole night focused on whether I called; since I didn’t, he got angrier, upset, and got drunk?
I was a bit speechless, "You...you, why are you acting like a child?"
He raised an eyebrow, exuding a roguish sophistication, "A man remains a boy till his dying day, what’s wrong with acting like a child?"
"..." I was rebuked into laughter and tears.
He continued, "When I woke from the hangover with a terrible headache, I was actually happy to see you sent me a WeChat message, thinking you’d finally had a change of heart. But then I called you back, and you said you had something today and couldn’t go to Carter Manor with me, I..."
Seeing the change in his expression, I understood, "So you got mad again?"
He didn’t answer, just silently drank water.
I laughed helplessly, "You have pretty good self-awareness."
He once mentioned having many flaws and shortcomings.
Such pettiness and sensitivity were not unlike a woman.
However, upon reflection, it made sense.
Someone of his status, always celebrated and attended to, when had he ever been ignored or wronged?
Seems I was lucky enough to be the first to defy Second Master Carter.
"Alright, let’s move past this. I want to know your stance," Daniel seemed embarrassed, so he changed the topic himself.
I didn’t understand, "What stance?"