I walked to the parking spot, opened the car door, got in, put my phone on speaker and slotted it into the holder, then turned to fasten my seatbelt. "I reported my own dad; he’s definitely going to jail. I’ll let my mom know so she can be happy in the afterlife." I said carelessly. Daniel Carter chuckled along, "You move pretty fast." I said smugly, "Of course, otherwise I’d be taking the fall for him. Spending money is one thing, but I might end up in prison too." "Decisive and efficient, impressive. You’ve surprised me again." "Thanks for the compliment, Second Master Carter." I started the car and got to the point, "Why did you call me?" "Nothing much, just checking if the injury on your arm has healed." Hearing him mention it, I remembered the wound on my right arm, which I’d forgotten about amidst the busy days. I raised my arm to let the sleeve fall back and looked at the wound, "It’s healed, doesn’t hurt or itch anymore. Thanks for your concern." After he said that, I wasn’t sure how to continue the conversation, and both sides fell silent, making the atmosphere awkwardly ambiguous. "Ahem—" I cleared my throat, about to speak again when his voice came first, "You’re driving, right? I won’t disturb you then, drive safely." I knew he was about to hang up, but suddenly felt reluctant, and quickly spoke up, "Hey, wait!" "Are you... busy right now? If you’re free, I’d like to treat you to a meal, like I said before. Once you’re free, I’ll treat you for helping me so much." I said this all at once, feeling my heart race, holding my breath as I awaited his reply. There was probably a two-second silence over the phone, and I realized he might have plans for lunch, so I quickly added, "If you’re not free, we can do it another time. Don’t let me hold you up..." "I’m free, where shall we eat?" he interrupted, directly asking for the location. I was stunned, "Really, you’re free? I just came up with this, you’re so busy at work, I’m afraid you’ll feel forced." "Not at all, I just don’t have anywhere for lunch," seeing that I seemed to have second thoughts, he joked with a smile, "Are you suddenly regretting inviting me?" "No, not at all." I quickly explained, thought for a moment, and said, "How about we go to Holburne? I’ll ask a friend to reserve a private room." "Okay, it’ll take me about forty minutes to get there, if you arrive first, just wait for me." "Alright, drive safe, no rush." After hanging up, I immediately called Wennie Lane. She was curious, "Who are you treating to a meal this time? You’re deep in debt but still willing to spend." After all, Holburne is the top restaurant in Fallhaven, and a meal there is equivalent to an average person’s one or two months of salary. And I’m three billion in debt, logically I should be saving money and paying off debts. I felt a bit guilty, stammering, "The same person as last time." "The same person?" Wennie Lane paused and suddenly realized, "Daniel Carter?" "Oh my... what’s your relationship with him? Lily Miller, are you dating again without telling me?" Wennie Lane exclaimed excitedly. "Oh come on... there’s nothing going on, I told you the other day, right? I saved him when we were kids, now we’re just friends." "Ha! You’re fooling nobody!" "I’m driving, won’t say more, just book the room for me." After hanging up, I unconsciously sped up, eager to reach the restaurant quickly. Just a moment ago I was telling Mom at the cemetery that I knew I wasn’t good enough for him, and now I’ve completely forgotten it all. Anyway, I’ve convinced myself that we’re just friends, having a meal together every now and then is perfectly normal. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn NovelHub(.)net Half an hour later, I arrived at Holburne. The manager knew me and said as soon as he saw me, "Miss Miller, your guest has already arrived, in the Heavenly Room." Feeling a rush of emotions, I even jogged a few steps as I walked. The waiter opened the door to the private room for me, and I already had a smile on my face, "Daniel..." Just as I started, I saw the girl sitting beside Daniel Carter, with mixed surprise and delight, "Huh? Melissa, you’re here too?" Melissa Chandler smiled sweetly, "What, I can’t come? Afraid I’ll disrupt your alone time?" My cheeks flushed, instinctively glancing at Daniel Carter, nervous and guilty, "No no, I’m glad you came." Regarding "alone time," I could only pretend not to hear it, not daring to respond. Daniel Carter poured me some tea and placed it in front of me, and I nodded with a smile, "Thank you." "She happened to come find me when I was leaving the office and insisted on coming along when she heard you were treating." Daniel Carter explained with a smile. I settled down, placed my bag down, and apologized, "I should have thought to call Melissa." "It’s okay, I’m thick-skinned. I come uninvited if there’s food. Next time, you guys better avoid me if you’re meeting up, or I’ll keep crashing meals." Melissa Chandler said those words again, and I felt my ears heat up, so I had to explain, "Melissa, you misunderstand. It’s not a date, your brother helped me with something recently, and I promised to treat him as thanks when he’s free." "Oh..." she dragged out her tone, with a mischievous look, shifting her gaze to her brother, "Is that so, bro?" Daniel Carter remained calm and composed, showing no strange expression, sipping tea as he replied, "If Lily says it’s like that, then it is." My heart skipped a beat, what does he mean by this? So if I admit that it’s a date, then it’s a date? Fortunately, the awkwardly ambiguous topic didn’t continue, as the manager started knocking to bring in the dishes. I was surprised to see that the dishes were already ordered. Seeing my surprise, Daniel Carter explained, "I have something in the afternoon, so I’m short on time, so I ordered before you arrived. They’re all recommended by Chef Barton, should be good." "No problem, that’s great, I’m actually hungry, so no need to wait." I took the hot towel handed to me by the waiter, cleaned my hands, and prepared to eat. By now, I was quite certain he originally had plans for lunch, but changed his schedule to have lunch because of my sudden invitation, which is why time was tight. Coupled with the few undeniably ambiguous words from Melissa Chandler that he didn’t deny, the thoughts that have been floating in my head for days became clearer. Daniel Carter definitely doesn’t see me as just an ordinary friend. Perhaps, like me, he’s contemplating various concerns, perhaps my low status, perhaps my pending divorce, or perhaps other reasons — so he’s hesitating, conflicted, and not daring to break this wall. This ambiguous situation is quite maddening, yet I find myself enjoying it. Thinking about Jason Miller facing imprisonment, I’m actually quite afraid he’ll address our relationship. Because I’m truly not a match for him. I don’t want him to be mocked — saying that such a noble and distinguished Carter family young master ended up with the daughter of a prisoner.