Adrian Gordon shot me a resentful look, and without a word, rushed out with Sophie Miller in his arms. I stood there, puzzled. What was the meaning of his look? It seemed like he was especially angry with me. Could it be that he blamed me for not letting him spend those two hundred million? What happened to Sophie Miller afterwards, I didn’t know. With my mom’s bracelet in hand, I returned to Fallhaven satisfied, and went to the cemetery to visit my mom that same day, to tell her the good news. As night fell, once I had completely calmed down, looking at that bracelet, I found myself in distress again. Three hundred million, such a huge favor, how can I repay Daniel Carter? It’s best to find some time tomorrow to talk to him, no matter what, I must repay this money, otherwise I’ll never be at peace. But unexpectedly, before I had the chance to find Daniel Carter, trouble found me first. As soon as I arrived at the company early in the morning, I saw colleagues whispering among themselves. Yet upon seeing me, they immediately straightened up and greeted me politely, even more ingratiatingly than before. I called Cherry in to inquire about the reason. "Ms. Lily, don’t you know? You’re famous!" Cherry exclaimed in surprise. "Yesterday at the auction, Mr. Carter lavishly spent three hundred million to buy the bracelet and then handed it to you, it’s all over the internet! Everyone thinks you and Mr. Carter... you two—" Cherry laughed with extreme ambiguity. Upon hearing this, I rubbed my forehead, feeling helpless and speechless. "It’s one thing for them to make a fuss without understanding, but you too? What am I, that I could catch Mr. Carter’s eye?" I know my place well; I wouldn’t dare to dream of such good fortune. Daniel Carter taking a fancy to me? What a cosmic joke. Cherry was puzzled, "What do you mean? The video online clearly recorded it, plus there’s the testimony of those present, Mr. Carter spent three hundred million on you, this..." "Mr. Carter was just helping me out, I intend to repay that money." "What else could it be? The last time I visited Carter Manor was the first time I interacted with the Carter Family and met Mr. Carter— you were there, do you think I’m close with him?" "Not close..." Cherry shook her head, muttering, "But Mr. Carter is really nice, three hundred million seems like three hundred bucks to him." I said, "The Carter Family members are all nice, didn’t you see that day? They’re very down-to-earth, without any airs." "Alright, I thought you and Mr. Carter... were having a secret affair... hehe." I rolled my eyes and emphasized again, "No such thing, I will repay the entire three hundred million, with interest!" "Go and remind everyone not to spread rumors, and focus on work. I’m heavily in debt now." Cherry turned to leave, but I suddenly called her back, "Send me that video, I want to see it." Cherry stopped, pulled out her phone to search, but soon looked up in shock, "Ms. Lily, it’s gone! All related videos have been taken down, completely clean!" I raised my head in surprise. But quickly understood. It must have been Daniel Carter’s doing. No one else could have such sway. It seems he also dislikes such rumors, so he cut them off at the source. Luckily, I’ve stayed rational and haven’t fantasized about things I shouldn’t. Maybe, as Cherry said, three hundred million to him is no more than three hundred bucks. He happened to be at the auction, happened to see me being troubled, happened to know me, and happened to act on a whim—so he lent me a hand. I thought it was a huge deal, overwhelmed with gratitude, feeling I had to spend a lifetime repaying it, even mistakenly thinking he had some special feelings for me... But in reality, for him, it was just a trivial act. As I held my phone, I hesitated and was torn, not knowing whether to proactively contact him to express my thanks. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel⚑fire.net Thinking back and forth, based on my principles, I decided I should thank him. Receiving a favor should always prompt gratitude, that’s basic courtesy. Whether or not he accepts, that’s his business, but I must express it. So, I took out the business card Secretary Harris gave me when leaving the munitions factory that day, and solemnly dialed the number. "Hello Miss Miller." Secretary Harris answered the phone. I immediately understood, this must be Daniel Carter’s office line. Someone like him couldn’t possibly disseminate his personal contact information everywhere. "Hello Secretary Harris, Mr. Carter helped me tremendously yesterday, and I’d like to thank him in person. Would that be convenient?" I was straightforward in stating the purpose of my call. "Please hold, Miss Miller, I’ll go inquire." At yesterday’s auction, Secretary Harris kept addressing me as "Eldest Miss Miller," clearly to emphasize my rightful status as the official Miller Family daughter, purposely freezing out Sophie Miller. Today, in a private setting, he addressed me as Miss Miller. I can’t help but marvel at how everyone around Daniel Carter is so considerate! While I was lost in thought for a few seconds, a sound came from the other end of the phone, followed by a low, melodious voice entering my ear: "Miss Miller." "Hello Mr. Carter." I immediately sat up straight, speaking with extra respect, paired with a smile. "At yesterday’s auction, you helped me significantly; that bracelet was my mother’s heirloom, deeply meaningful to me, and thankfully I was able to retrieve it. If convenient, I’d like to invite you for dinner as a gesture of thanks, and also discuss how I can repay this money. Moreover, the fifty million I borrowed earlier was unused, I can return it immediately, with interest." I explained my intentions at length, then waited quietly for his response. Given Daniel Carter’s stature, he’s doubtlessly very busy, I figured he’d have no time for dinner with me. I simply wanted to convey my sincerity. "Hold on." After listening, he replied with two words. "Oh, alright, no rush." I was very enthusiastic yet felt guilty and awkward. He’s certainly busy now, my call must have inconvenienced his work. I faintly heard him inquire something with Secretary Harris, then issue some instructions, seemingly arranging for someone or something. Shortly thereafter, his voice came through clearly again. "Ah?" I was stunned, not understanding his question. He seemed to chuckle, then asked, "I mean when are you inviting me to dinner?" He actually agreed! Agreed! My mind buzzed, I quickly pondered, "How about... tomorrow’s Friday, can we do tomorrow evening?" "Once I finalize the restaurant, I’ll let you know." My heartbeat lost its rhythm, bouncing like little droplets on a drum, even feeling a subtle happiness and delight. Just as I was about to hang up, Daniel Carter stopped me again. "Anything else, Mr. Carter?" "Note down my private number for easy contact tomorrow." He’s going to give me his personal number? "Oh, okay, great!" I quickly grabbed a paper and pen from the desk, noted down his phone number, "See you tomorrow then." After hanging up, I sat there alone, enraptured...