I stood there, looking at his tall and slender figure. Even though we were just a few meters apart, it felt like an insurmountable distance to me. I understood that Amanda Gordon had made the right move. Although it didn’t cause me any substantial harm, it had made the Carter Family sufficiently wary of me. Perhaps Mrs. Carter also deemed me a harbinger of misfortune. Daniel Carter finished his call and beckoned me to get into the car. I stood still: "You should head home; it’s convenient for me to get a taxi here." I didn’t want to trouble him to drop me off first and then return home, which would take two hours. Mrs. Carter might still be at home waiting for him. Daniel’s face slightly darkened, "No rush. I’ll take you home first." "There’s really no need." I refused again, pushing him towards the car, "You should go." His displeasure became more apparent, and without another word, he directly dragged and carried me into the car. Left with no choice, I let him drive me home. But halfway there, his phone rang again. As he took out his phone, I glanced over discreetly and saw the contact name "Grandfather." My heart sank, thinking that even Old Master Carter knew about this. "Hello, Grandpa... yes, I’m on my way home. It should take... at least an hour and a half, as soon as possible... You get some rest, I’m really okay. I’ll visit you early tomorrow morning... Yes, okay, I’ll hurry." I vaguely heard Old Master Carter’s instructions, urging Daniel to return quickly. After he hung up, I spoke again, "Let me off by the roadside; I can grab a taxi easily." "No rush for the moment." "Old Master Carter isn’t in good health. How can you keep him worried? You should hurry back so he can see you’re safe and sleep peacefully." I was simply stating the truth. The old man certainly knew in his heart that his grandson, staying out so late, was probably with me. As a responsible and sensible girlfriend, I should be considerate and leave a good impression on the old man. Daniel looked at me, his brows furrowing slightly, showing some hesitation. I immediately turned around and tapped the driver’s seat, "Could you please pull over?" The driver, who was Natalie’s person, clearly knew who was in charge in the car, and looked back to Daniel, "Second Young Master, should we stop?" "Yes!" I answered quickly, then turned to reassure Daniel, "You really don’t need to take me home. See you tomorrow." Before Daniel could say anything, I tapped the driver’s seat again, indicating to pull over. Original content can be found at novel※fire.net The driver seemed to see that Daniel didn’t object, so he pulled over. I pushed the door open to get out, and Daniel immediately got out from the other side too. I had no choice but to turn around and look at him through the night. To be honest, he really was too irresistible, but being with him only added trouble and burden to him, nothing else. As he walked closer, I tried hard to smile, feeling a surge of emotion, "Daniel, we—" "Remember to go to Carter Manor tomorrow. I’ll pick you up early in the morning, so don’t make any excuses." He seemed to know what I was about to say and interrupted, emphasizing tomorrow’s plan. I frowned slightly, "But with what happened tonight..." "What happened tonight wasn’t your fault. What does it have to do with you going to Carter Manor tomorrow?" I pursed my lips, thinking it had everything to do with it. But thinking it over, since tonight’s events implicated the Carter siblings, I should visit Mrs. Carter tomorrow to apologize, both logically and emotionally. If I made no effort, it would seem rude and ill-mannered. I quickly understood and smiled, "Okay, you’ll pick me up early tomorrow." Having said this, Daniel’s expression softened slightly. "Get back in the car; you’re wearing too little." Even with that windbreaker coat Jessica bought, he only wore two layers, and now it’s near zero degrees outside, with strong winds. I pushed him to turn away, simultaneously seeing a taxi pass by, and raised my hand to stop it. "You get in the car, I’m leaving too." After pushing him to the car door, I quickly walked to the waiting taxi. From behind, I heard his reminder, "Let me know when you get home." "Okay! You get in the car and stay warm." I responded one last time, getting into the taxi. Once I saw his car speeding past, I secretly breathed a sigh of relief, slumping onto the car seat. The day was... tumultuous, like a roller coaster. My phone chimed, and I glanced at it. It was a message from Daniel. [Don’t overthink. As long as I’m here, I’ll take responsibility for all consequences.] Reading these words, my nose tingled, and my eyes immediately felt a stabbing pain and flushed red. Arriving home, Wennie Lane called, asking about what happened that night, having seen messages in various group chats. I talked with her for a while, easing my mood a bit. The next day, I got up early to prepare myself. Thinking about visiting the revered elders, I put some thought into my attire. It had to be both elegant and youthful. The makeup couldn’t be too bold but also not bare-faced, which would seem disrespectful. After careful preparation, Daniel arrived just as I finished getting ready. Seeing me, his eyes brightened with visible amazement. I was wearing a Pleated apron Skirt, with my long hair tied up in a traditional hairpin, and matching Chinese-style earrings. It was Daniel Carter’s first time seeing me dressed . After giving me a thorough look, he nodded in appreciation and said, "Very pretty, dignified and elegant, mature and intellectual." I smiled and said, "I figured the elders might like the Chinese style." "Hmm, it must have been hard for you to think it over." The pug circled around Daniel Carter, howling, thinking I was coming to play with it again. Daniel Carter crouched down, patted its head, and comforted, "Today, I’m bringing your owner to meet the parents, no time, will play with you another day." I laughed and said, "What are you explaining to a dog?" "Dogs understand humans too." That’s true; I also think the pug is very smart and empathetic. After I tidied up, I left with him. He didn’t bring the driver, driving his own Hongqi SUV. Once in the car, I was a bit nervous, involuntarily letting out a long breath. He chuckled, "Why are you so nervous? You’ve been to Carter Manor so many times." "But this time is different." Daniel Carter started the car. Hearing what I said, he didn’t rush to drive off but turned to look at me. "What’s wrong?" I asked, puzzled. He reassured, "Even if it means something different, you don’t need to be nervous. If you’re asked something you don’t know how to answer, just throw the question to me." I looked at him, contemplated for a moment, and asked, "Is Old Master Carter very angry about what happened last night? After all, it started because of me, getting both you and your sister startled. I’m going over today..." Though I’m visiting and apologizing together, whether they accept it or not is another matter. If they don’t accept it and still blame me—how can I not be nervous? Daniel Carter reached out again, patting my head gently like a child, and said softly, "Didn’t I say, with me here, what are you afraid of?" I stared at him steadily. In the morning light, a few golden rays pierced through the window and quietly rested between his brows and eyes, making his pupils more brilliant and mesmerizing. He smiled with his lips slightly curved, his facial features becoming more handsome and charming, his Adam’s apple prominently sexy, each inch exuding irresistible allure. A warmth spread across my chest, touched yet uneasy, and the words slipped out: "If Old Master Carter doesn’t like me and opposes our relationship, what would you do?" In recent days, many details hinted to me that Old Master Carter might become an obstacle between us. I tossed and turned last night, mulling over it with no solution. Daniel Carter chuckled again, seemingly not caring at all, and retorted, "If that’s the case, what would you do? Would you immediately break up with me?" Feeling guilty, I didn’t dare answer. Because I had indeed thought about it in my heart. The hand that had just gently patted my head now pinched my cheek, tugging with a tone of warning and frustration. "I’m telling you, don’t even think about it! Even if you mention it, I won’t agree!" "What would you do then? Go against your family for me?" I know everyone in the Carter Family gets along well, looking after each other with love and care, unlike our Miller Family, where we can’t even communicate properly, almost like enemies. I don’t want Daniel Carter to strain his family relations for me. Such a burden of love, I cannot bear. Such a stigma, I cannot take. "I will persuade him," Daniel Carter replied. "But if you can’t pers—," I was about to continue asking, but he gave me no chance, leaning over with a kiss, blocking all my words. I widened my eyes, and when I realized we were in the car, with people from the building coming and going outside, I hastily pushed him away. "There are people outside." "So what if there are? I’m kissing my girlfriend, not having an affair." "..." I gave him a sideways glance, surprised that he could speak so bluntly. "Stop overthinking, if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up, it won’t hit you." Daniel Carter asserted dominantly, maneuvering the steering wheel as we set off. By the time we arrived at Carter Manor, it was only ten in the morning. The weather had been great these days, with high daytime temperatures similar to spring. The Carter Manor was bright and festive, adorned for the New Year with lanterns and decorations, the garden and nursery updated with various flowers, vibrant and fragrant. Melissa Chandler knew I was coming and had been waiting outside the main house early. "Lily Miller!" She waved and quickly approached upon seeing me. "Wow... you look so pretty today! Did you dazzle my brother?" I glanced at Daniel Carter, but smiled without answering. "By the way, is your hand feeling better?" I had been worried about it all night and quickly pulled her hand to check. There were still faint red marks, but luckily no burns. "It’s much better with ointment, don’t worry." Melissa Chandler led me into the main house cheerfully, "My mom has been waiting for you all morning, and she called Chef Barton over today to cook your favorite dishes." I smiled, feeling grateful. To think Mrs. Carter is still so kind to me, perhaps I was overthinking last night. We walked into the living room of the main house, and as expected, Mrs. Carter was sitting on the sofa. "Lily Miller." She greeted me with a smile and gestured, "Come sit, you haven’t been here in a while."