"Miss Miller, your skills are incredible. I heard you have your own studio, where is it?"
"Miss Miller, do you have any free time recently? My daughter is going to Roshgard for a major piano competition. Could you design a custom evening gown for her?"
"Miss Miller, are you interested in collaboration? I’d like to represent your fashion brand. When would be a convenient time for us to talk?"
I was almost overwhelmed by this group of affluent ladies, each eager to grab my attention.
To think that a casual remark from Daniel Carter actually came true.
At Mrs. Carter’s birthday banquet, I landed a bunch of VIP clients, marking another highlight in my career.
After soothing all these women, I finally took a breath and saw Olivia Gray and her daughter standing on the sidelines.
Amanda Gordon wore a sullen face, pouting, glaring at me with annoyance, though I had no idea how long she’d been doing so.
Olivia’s expression was also complex, as if she were regretting, jealous, and unconvinced all at once.
I slowly straightened my back, gave them a slight smile, and turned to leave.
After the banquet ended, I bid farewell to Mrs. Carter, and Daniel Carter personally saw me to the door, where the driver was waiting by the Hongqi L5.
I turned, "Alright, you’ve been busy enough today. Don’t stand on ceremony, just head back."
Daniel looked at me, his eyes twinkling, and in a gentlemanly manner said, "There were many guests tonight, sorry if I didn’t take care of you well. I’ll treat you to dinner some other time."
I quickly shook my head, "No need to stand on ceremony, you took great care of us tonight. Melissa also accompanied me the whole evening—and, I even secured a bunch of new clients. Thank you."
I waved my phone, indicating the "WeChat friends" I’d added tonight.
Daniel smiled, "It’s because of your talents that they are willing to trust you."
"No, it’s thanks to Mrs. Carter for her good recommendation."
We exchanged polite courtesies, which eventually wore Daniel out, leading him to candidly say, "We’ve been through life and death together, let’s not be so aloof with each other, alright?"
"Hahaha..." I laughed, feeling that the earlier formalities were awkward, readily changing my tone, "Alright, I’ll stop being so formal with you. It’s getting late, I’m off. You must have a lot to do, better get back in."
I waved goodbye and got into the car.
The driver rolled down the window, and I waved once more.
Daniel stood there watching until the car disappeared down the mountain road.
As I turned back and rolled up the window, I let out a long, relieved sigh.
Yet thinking about Daniel Carter made my feelings complex again.
I had always thought his and the Carter Family’s kindness toward me had another meaning.
Especially since every time we were together, he was considerate and attentive, surpassing even the ideal boyfriend.
But now it seemed he was just repaying a debt of gratitude, making up for small kindnesses with significant ones.
Moreover, in his own words, it was for twice saving his life.
So, I had misunderstood.
Yet my heart had long developed different feelings for Daniel Carter: affection, admiration, respect.
I knew what would happen if I let these emotions grow, but reality never allowed for such outcomes.
So, I needed to restrain myself.
Let’s remain just ordinary friends.
News of my invitation to Mrs. Carter’s birthday party spread quickly.
Even my aunt gossiped, questioning what the Carter Family wanted, speculating whether Mrs. Carter or Daniel Carter fancied me.
I found it amusing and explained the whole story to my aunt.
Grandma, hearing about it, was equally astonished, "It’s been over ten years, and they still remember?"
Curious, I asked, "Grandma, did you know the person who came to thank us back then was the old grandfather of the Carter Family? After retiring, he lived in Brindlewood."
Grandma was amazed, "How would I know! Looking at the rank of the officer back then, we just knew he was a major general."
"He later became a general."
Aunt was amazed, "Truly prominent, but way out of our league."
"Aunt, what are you thinking! They’re just repaying a debt, not what you’re imagining." I laughed to clarify, reminding myself once more.
"Oh, we’re just talking among family, not telling outsiders."
Grandma said, "If Lily hadn’t been involved with the Gordon Family, relying on this life-saving grace, it wouldn’t be impossible. It’s just a pity... the situation with the Gordon Family got so out of hand, and the divorce still hasn’t gone through..."
Mentioning this brought a cloud over my heart.
There’s less than ten days before the divorce hearing, and I need to talk to the lawyer, see if there’s any way to get a direct ruling without a second filing.
Before I could schedule a time with the lawyer, Adrian Gordon called first.
But it wasn’t about the divorce.
"Sophie is gone, come to the hospital for a final farewell." His tone was extremely subdued and indifferent. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel★fire.net
I hesitated, a bit surprised, yet not really unexpected.
Death is significant, so after hanging up, I drove straight to the hospital.
From afar, I could hear Shirley Turner wailing in the hospital hallway, a sound that tugged at the heart.
I didn’t want to go in, thinking it was better to just stand outside.
Suddenly the door opened, and Adrian Gordon stepped out.
Our eyes met, and I could see his red-rimmed eyes, clearly he had cried too.
"You’re here..." he greeted softly.
I nodded, raising a finger towards inside, "The... body hasn’t been taken away yet?"
"Aunt Turner won’t allow it, she’s been holding the body and crying for half an hour." Adrian appeared deeply troubled, showing his genuine feelings for Sophie Miller.
But I no longer cared about these things.
"I’ve come to pay my respects, so I’ll refrain from going in. It’ll just make them feel worse seeing me."
I thought about how a few days earlier, Adrian and Shirley came to my place, asking me to blood to Sophie, and I refused—knowing Shirley, she’d definitely blame me for her daughter’s death, thinking I was cold and merciless.
So it’s best not to meet, preventing further conflict.
Yet as I turned to leave, Adrian stopped me, "Lily."
"Sophie is already dead... there’s nothing between us now, and my stance remains—no divorce... we’ll make it work, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you." Adrian lifted his gaze to me and spoke these words with deep resolve.
I stared at him in disbelief, eyes widened.
If it weren’t inappropriate to laugh in this setting, I would laugh loudly and call him a "fool!"
"You had me come to the hospital not to say goodbye to Sophie, but to disgust me, didn’t you?" Realizing his intentions, I directly confronted him.
"Lily, I never loved Sophie. I only saw her as a sister, wanting to fulfill her last wishes. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Even if it angered you, I’d still not regret the choice." Adrian looked at me as he justified himself with conviction and righteousness.