Could it be that someone in the Carter Family also has panda blood, and therefore wants to "reserve" me as a long-term blood donor? From childhood to adulthood, a special family environment has long made me aware of human nature, and I’ve witnessed the fickleness of relationships. Even those closest to me are so ruthless, why would unrelated people be kind to me? I was completely unaware and thought it was just good luck encountering a benefactor. Reflecting on Mrs. Carter’s cryptic hints at the dinner in Carter Manor a few days ago—I’m even more convinced that the Carter Family approached me with ill intentions. Moreover, Adrian Gordon once mentioned the deep waters of the Carter Family, saying I’m no match for Daniel Carter. Could he know something? The more I think about it, the more frightened I become, even feeling dread for my multiple solitary visits to Carter Manor. Truly, I have a strong fate! That complex standing amidst the mountains and forests, so vast that strangers would get lost if they entered—if they wanted to do something to me, I’d be unable to escape. It must be that my mom and grandpa are protecting me from above, keeping me out of trouble. My thoughts bring out goosebumps, frightened yet amused. I’m supposed to be someone with a strong sense of vigilance, but after meeting Daniel Carter, it’s as if my rationality ran away, descending into a lovestruck daze, fantasizing daily if he treated me uniquely or had special intentions. Perhaps it’s all a sugar-coated trap designed to lure me in, ultimately to willingly sacrifice my life! My lovestruck mind suddenly became clear, breaking my fanciful thoughts apart. But how do I draw boundaries with the Carter Family? There are still so many orders. Should I refund and break the contract, or hand it over to other designers to complete? I racked my brains, a mess of tangled thoughts. Suddenly, the phone rang again. I focused intently; Daniel Carter finally called. In my eager anticipation, he finally sought me out. But my recent hopefulness dissolved into panic, fear, and helplessness. The phone buzzed for quite a while, and I swallowed hard, telling myself to stay calm. There’s no escape; I must clarify things with the Carter Family, and give a flawless reason to draw boundaries without offending them. Otherwise, they could become angry and would have countless ways to deal with me. Picking up the phone, I took a deep breath and mentally prepared before answering, "Hello, Mr. Carter." I added formal titles, distancing myself. "Lily," Daniel Carter still called me directly by my name and asked straightforwardly, "Are you free tomorrow? You mentioned last time the clothes were designed and would show me." "Uh... Mr. Carter, tomorrow seems difficult. Well... my sister is in late-stage cancer, and the situation isn’t good these days. My dad just called, asking me to go to the hospital tomorrow." This isn’t a lie; every word is the truth. I suddenly felt grateful to Sophie. Daniel Carter asked puzzledly, "Aren’t your relationships very strained?" "Strained as they may be, death takes precedence; she’s at the end of life, why would I dwell on those matters? After all, we are family." These words nearly moved myself. "Yes, indeed, I understand your feelings." "Then tomorrow... I could send my assistant with the head of the design department to meet you? Any opinions you have with them would be the same, and I can make adjustments afterwards." I thought, sending Cherry alone was not safe, so the design department head accompanied her. That head is a young guy who loves fitness, quite strong. But Daniel Carter refused, "No rush, if you’re not free tomorrow, we can schedule for another time." "But I’ll probably be busy for a while... If my sister passes away, I will certainly be preoccupied for some time. To avoid delaying you, I prefer sending the assistant to communicate with you." My attitude was sincere and polite, thinking it shouldn’t offend him. But he isn’t foolish; he sensed something strange from my words and directly asked, "Lily, why have you suddenly become so polite and distant? Both formal titles and avoiding meetings—did I or someone in my family do something wrong to upset you?" He was direct, not beating around the bush. A buzz sounded in my ears, and I became tongue-tied, unable to find the words. Daniel Carter was very patient, "If there’s anything we did wrong, you can speak directly." "No, no, nothing... On the contrary, you’re too considerate, and that—" It makes me scared, anxious. I didn’t dare continue, fearing I might inadvertently expose them and put myself in danger. He couldn’t help but chuckle slightly, humorously saying, "Is it our excessive enthusiasm that makes you suspect we have ulterior motives, scaring you from meeting me?" His mind is too smart! It seems like he can read minds! But I still had to deny it, "No, no, absolutely not... You misunderstood, it’s just my family’s recent problems, my own things, and the chaos and rumors lately. I feel..." In truth, these are facts. Even if the Carter Family approached me without ulterior motives, my interactions with Daniel have crossed boundaries, beyond normal male-female relationships, and even beyond seller-client relationships. I admire him, even idolize him, but only within those limits. To avoid falling too deep, eventually becoming irretrievable and suffering in agony, I indeed need to stop at the brink and draw boundaries. Daniel Carter paused briefly, then murmured softly, "It seems you genuinely want to distance yourself from me." "I’m sorry, Mr. Carter..." Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on N0v3l.Fiɾe.net "No worries. Since that’s the case, you don’t need to send the assistant to see me. Attend to your family’s affairs first." With that, he hung up before I could respond. I gently lowered the phone, looking at the screen dimming with "Daniel Carter" and felt a complexity beyond words. I didn’t know whether my innate suspicion hurt someone genuinely good to me. Nor did I know if my intuition sharply prevented harm from those intending to hurt me. In any event, my heart was terribly uneasy, as if I’ve lost a precious treasure, just like when I discovered Adrian Gordon’s betrayal. But my relationship with Adrian was over six years, whereas with Daniel Carter, we were nothing; at most a slight flirtation, yet it still haunted and depressed me. It’s okay, the dream has ended, continue with my life. Early the next morning, Butler Cross contacted me, saying that regarding the Carter Family’s remaining women’s clothing, if I wished to complete it, I could, if not, just say so. I believed that in life and work, having a start and finish is my principle. So I promised to complete it as soon as possible and, as my personal apology for the delay, wouldn’t charge any additional fees. After hanging up, I felt sad for a long while. Daniel Carter must have instructed Butler Cross to call me. He suddenly became so detached and cold towards me...