I was speechless and could only remain silent. Daniel Carter raised an eyebrow, looked at me, and asked, "Lily Miller, you’re not backing out, are you?" "Hm?" I focused on him, then quickly shook my head after realizing, "No, no, how could I go back on my word, that would be too disrespectful to you." "As long as you’re not backing out." He breathed a sigh of relief. I explained, "It’s just that I have a bad reputation now. You see, I’m infamous online for my swearing, and yet you’re proudly introducing me as your girlfriend..." Daniel chuckled gloomily, "Let everyone know my girlfriend isn’t easy to bully; no one will dare to mess with me in the future." I looked at him, eyes wide, "You’re Second Master Carter of the Carter Family, who would dare bully you! Are you being sarcastic?" Everyone should know that my boyfriend is Second Master Carter from Brindlewood, so no one would dare bully me. "We’re a unit, so however you say it, it’s right." "..." I was speechless again, but I laughed along with him. Honestly, having the backing of a big tree is quite comforting; being Daniel’s girlfriend feels pretty good. During dinner, Daniel brought up a topic. "The family knows about us, so let me know when you’re free to come home with me and formally meet them." Upon hearing this, I was slightly shocked. "Haven’t we met several times already, do we still need a special visit?" I asked nervously, thinking this was too fast to meet the family! We had just confirmed our relationship not even twenty-four hours ago. Daniel said, "Today is different from the past. Your status is different now; you’re my girlfriend, so of course, we need to meet again." "..." I looked at the food in front of me, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I know you’re busy at the end of the year, no rush. Let me know when you’re free." Perhaps seeing that I wasn’t ready, Daniel kindly gave me an excuse. I quickly nodded, "Okay, I’m really busy these days. A lawyer informed me a few days ago that the case with Amanda Gordon is going to trial soon. After that, I need to go on a business trip to Veyrona before the year ends." So, it’s not that I’m unwilling to visit the Carter Family; I genuinely can’t find the time. Daniel nodded, "Alright, then after you’re done with all these, or you can directly come for the New Year, which is also fine." I nodded, "Sure, visiting during New Year’s is appropriate." Before we finished eating, Daniel received a call and seemed to have very urgent work. After hanging up, he immediately got up, "Lily Miller, I have to go; can you finish the meal and go back by yourself?" I quickly nodded, "Alright, you go handle your work." "I’ll contact you tonight." I watched his determined figure leave swiftly, sighing with happiness yet yearning. To be honest, I’m still in disbelief that Daniel Carter and I are together. A relationship can end so quickly and start so suddenly. I don’t know if this relationship will have an outcome; I can only cherish the present and the person in front of me. Leave the future to the future. Someone passed by, pointed, and whispered upon seeing me. I immediately turned to look at them, staring until they felt embarrassed and quickly looked away. I sneered disdainfully, turned around, and continued eating. Today is New Year’s Day, and it’s bustling everywhere. After eating, I didn’t want to go home, as I’d been cooped up inside for days, so I called Wennie Lane to ask what she was doing. "Why are you asking me? You’re in a relationship now, and still have time to think of your best friend? Isn’t Mr. Carter with you for the holiday?" I knew Wennie would tease me; sure enough, she immediately started joking. I sighed, "We had planned to have a meal together, but halfway through, he got a call and left hurriedly for urgent work." "No wonder, you only thought of me after he stood you up." "Oh, stop teasing me." Embarrassed by the teasing, I quickly pleaded, "If you guys aren’t doing anything, I’ll just go back and sleep; I barely slept last night." "Sleep? It’s such a joyous day." Wennie stopped me and mentioned a club name, "I booked a place in the afternoon, thought you’d be with Mr. Carter and didn’t plan to tell you." "Got it, I’ll be there soon." At the club, I waited for Wennie to come down and get me and sat by flipping through a magazine. As soon as I opened the magazine’s first page, a voice suddenly came from the diagonal, "Lily Miller?" I looked up and focused, to see four men and women passing by, and the one calling me was Jessica Sawyer. Since our unpleasant parting at the school anniversary, we haven’t seen each other, and I didn’t expect to run into her here today. I glanced at her, not planning to engage. First, we didn’t get along since college, long-term rivals. Second, I remember Jessica had shown interest in Daniel and mentioned visiting Carter Manor. So many days have passed, she must have visited by now. But I haven’t heard Daniel Carter mention it before, and I’m not sure what’s going on. "Why aren’t you going in after arriving? Don’t you have a membership? It’s really something, you know. You own a company, yet can’t even afford an annual club fee?" Even though I ignored her, Jessica Sawyer still didn’t let me go. She took off her sunglasses and walked toward me, smirking sarcastically. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveI~Fire.net I put down the magazine in my hands and glanced up at her, "Can’t afford it, indeed. So, is Eldest Miss Sawyer planning to do some charity today, get me a card, pay the membership fee for me?" After all, she was "generous" enough to treat Grace Chandler and me to a meal last time. As soon as I finished speaking, her face changed abruptly, and she retorted directly, "Dream on! You’ve got some nerve!" I raised an eyebrow and replied indifferently, "Can’t even take a joke. Seems like Eldest Miss Sawyer has a broad heart but still such a little mind." I gestured with my pinky, my smile tinged with provocation. "Lily Miller! Don’t go too far!" Jessica suddenly got angry, instinctively trying to step forward, but the man beside her pulled her back. The man whispered something, and Jessica’s face turned even more furious, filled with jealousy, "You’re just cozying up to Second Master Carter, a divorced woman with a father in jail. How shameless to be with him." "Jessica Sawyer, do you want a mirror to see your distorted face now? Tsk, tsk, even The Bone Spirit isn’t as ugly as you are now." "You—Lily Miller, I’m telling you, don’t get too cocky! You know people can still get divorced these days, let alone just being boyfriend and girlfriend. Old Master Carter will never agree to Second Master Carter being with you, so enjoy your happy days while they last!" My heart skipped a beat slightly. It seems like Jessica really did visit Carter Manor and met the Old Master of the Carter Family. I’ve been to Carter Manor several times, and the person I’ve seen the most is Mrs. Carter. As for Daniel’s father, I’ve only met him once. Regarding the renowned Old Master Carter, who has meritorious military service, I only know he is retired there but never met him. But Jessica Sawyer got to meet him. Even though I felt a bit disappointed inside, I still smiled and said, "Even if we can’t be together, at least I’ve had it once, which is much better than those poor souls who can only fantasize." "You—" Jessica Sawyer bared her teeth in anger. "Lily Miller!" Wennie Lane’s voice suddenly came, and then she quickly walked over, taking my hand, "Sorry, they insisted on me finishing the card game, so I came down late—are you okay?" I shook my head, "It’s okay, let’s go." Wennie Lane knew Jessica Sawyer since my grudge with her started back in college. So when passing by Jessica, Wennie rudely rolled her eyes at her and muttered, "With all that high-tech face, where did you find that doctor? Looks like an alien." Judging by Jessica’s appearance, she likely had eye corner surgery, nasal bridge raised, cheekbones shaved, and got Botox, so she looked like having big eyes and a sharp chin—really like crashing into an alien! I always found her current face weird, but couldn’t find the exact words to describe it. Wennie pointed it out, and I suddenly realized! "Wennie Lane, dare you say it again!" Jessica Sawyer was so angry that she wanted to hit someone, just as she was about to act, the man beside her pulled her back again. "Let go of me! Why are you always holding me back?" "Hey Jess, we can’t afford to mess with her, just bear with it." "What’s there to be scared of! It’s just borrowing someone else’s power! Second Brother Carter will dump her sooner or later!" "Then let’s discuss it after she gets dumped, for now, don’t stir up trouble." The argument continued behind us, Jessica and her companion kept tugging at each other, but Wennie and I didn’t bother, walking straight inside. Once in the elevator, Wennie looked back at me curiously, "The Second Brother Carter Jessica mentioned, is he your new boyfriend?" "Yes," I nodded, my smile slightly helpless, "During the last school anniversary, she told me that after returning from abroad, the elders at home would take her to visit the Carter Family. Seems like she’s already been there." "What do you mean?" Wennie’s face grew more astonished, "Isn’t Mrs. Carter quite fond of you? Now that her son finally got you, she’s favoring another daughter-in-law?" I frowned slightly, after linking things in my mind, shook my head and said, "It shouldn’t be with Mrs. Carter." "Then who is it with?" Wennie’s eyes widened, "That retired old general from the capital?" We exchanged glances, clearly realizing unanimously—there was an obstacle between Daniel Carter and me. But it was also expected. Originally, Daniel and I were people from two different worlds, and being together now is like a bird falling in love with a fish. If there were no obstacles and hardships from start to finish, the world’s laws and class order would need rewriting. I was mentally prepared, so I quickly processed the issue. Same as before, enjoy the moment first, and worry about future matters later. I spent an entire afternoon having fun with my girlfriends. As the saying goes, lucky in love, unlucky in cards—today, I was the only one who lost, so much that my WeChat balance was cleared. During dinner, Daniel Carter called, asking where I was. I was lamenting my wallet, couldn’t help but complain to him. He laughed heartily on the other end of the phone. "You’re laughing? They said it’s called being lucky in love, unlucky in cards, it’s your fault, you know?" "Yes, indeed my fault, so I’ll reimburse you." Daniel Carter said with a chuckle.