"Oh, I can’t drink, but you two can." Melissa Chandler said with a smile. "How can that be? It’s definitely more fun for the three of us to drink together." I was in a good mood and couldn’t help but persuade, "Just drink a little, it’s fine." "No way, unless you tell my brother and get his approval." Melissa Chandler pouted, dropping the problem onto me. I was taken aback, "Me talking to your brother? That’s not appropriate, wouldn’t it be easier if you just called him?" "No, if I call, he definitely won’t agree." Melissa Chandler nudged my arm, acting cute, "Sister Lily, I really want to drink a little too, can you help me ask my brother?" "This—" I was quite troubled. Wennie Lane chimed in as well, persuading, "Just give Mr. Carter a call and tell him we’re dining at Holburne, it’s no big deal. After dinner, I’ll arrange for someone to safely take Melissa home." I looked worriedly at the two of them. But Melissa Chandler already had her phone out, dialed Daniel Carter’s number, then put it on speaker and tossed it in front of me. Before I could refuse, Daniel Carter’s clear and elegant voice came through the phone, "Little sister, what’s up?" Melissa Chandler gestured for me to hurry up and speak. I couldn’t avoid it, so I reluctantly spoke up, "Well... it’s me. Melissa is with me now." Daniel Carter recognized my voice, and his tone took on a slight smile, "Lily, I know Melissa is having dinner with you and Miss Lane tonight." "Yes, we’re at Holburne, Wennie Lane is hosting, and she specially prepared a vintage bottle of Lafite. We three plan to have a small drink to celebrate—but, uh... Melissa said you’re strict and won’t allow her to drink outside, so—" The more I spoke, the less confident I felt. I glanced at the two beside me and hesitated for a moment before asking, "I wanted to ask if we could make an exception tonight? Let Melissa join us for a little drink?" Melissa Chandler watched the phone intently, fearing Daniel Carter would refuse. I also held my breath unconsciously, waiting for his response. If he refused, it would be quite awkward for me. "Sure, since she’s with you, I have no worries. Just enjoy yourselves. Let me know when you’re almost done eating, and I’ll come pick her up." Daniel Carter’s clear, bright voice gently conveyed his agreement. Melissa Chandler celebrated with a clench of her fist. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on novel⟡fire.net Wennie Lane also gave me a thumbs up with a mischievous smile. I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "No need, I can take her back, so you don’t need to go out of your way to come." "No trouble, I’m also out socializing." "Oh... I see," I looked at Melissa Chandler, and upon seeing her nod, I responded, "Okay, when we’re almost done eating, I’ll let you know." "Great, enjoy your evening." After hanging up, I looked at Melissa Chandler, and before I could speak, she cheerfully said, "I told you! If you ask, my brother will definitely agree, he trusts you!" I handed her phone back, my face blushing warmly, denying, "No way, he would have agreed if you had asked too." Wennie Lane looked at me, her gaze filled with curiosity and teasing implications, obviously becoming more suspicious about my relationship with Daniel Carter. But with Melissa Chandler present, she didn’t mention it directly. Wennie Lane called the manager to have the vintage bottle of Lafite brought out from the wine cellar. Soon, the manager delivered the red wine, and after a series of ceremonial decanting procedures, we smelled the sweet and rich enticing aroma of the wine. The dinner was wonderful. The three of us shared a bottle of red wine, none of us got drunk, but we felt particularly comfortable. When we were almost done eating, I sent a WeChat message to Daniel Carter. He replied: About half an hour to get there. We calculated the time and prepared to leave when we figured he was almost there. Wennie Lane insisted on seeing us out, and as we reached the restaurant entrance, Daniel Carter’s car arrived. She stood beside me, leaned over, and whispered, "Come on, be honest, when did you two start, huh???" I played dumb, "Start and end what? You drank too much." "Ha! You’re still pretending!" "Really no, you misunderstood..." I had to slightly compose myself and explain seriously, "Don’t forget, I’m not even divorced yet. How could it be? And even if I were divorced, I’m a two-time married woman, my own father is in prison, I’m not a match for him!" With those words, Wennie Lane lost her gossiping interest. Clearly, she also felt that the gap between me and Daniel Carter wasn’t something that could be described as worlds apart. "Bro!" Melissa Chandler shouted when she saw the handsome face in the lowered back window. On the passenger side, William Harris got out, walked around the front of the car, and opened the rear door on our side, saying to Melissa Chandler, "Miss Chandler, I’ll drive your car back." "Okay." Melissa Chandler walked to the car and tossed the keys to William Harris. William Harris hadn’t left yet when Daniel Carter suddenly looked at me and asked, "Lily, how are you getting home?" From the moment I saw Daniel Carter, my heart had been pounding. Hearing him suddenly call me, I was taken aback and then pointed over casually, "There are several chauffeur services over there, I’ll just call for one, don’t worry." At night, outside many of the city’s major restaurants, there are always three or five chauffeurs waiting, ready to take orders. Daniel Carter frowned slightly and then said, "Get in the car, I’ll take you home first." Upon hearing this, my already rapid heartbeat became even more erratic, and I repeatedly waved my hand, "No need, it’s very convenient for me to call for a driver, you running back and forth—" "Hey, my brother isn’t a stranger, why so formal? Hurry up and get in the car!" Before I could finish, Melissa Chandler came back and pulled me directly. "Melissa, I’m not being formal, if I take your car, my car will have to stay here, and I need it for work tomorrow." I was being honest, as I had to work overtime at the studio the next morning. "That’s easy!" Melissa Chandler turned to instruct Secretary Harris, "William, just leave my car here, and have the driver pick it up tomorrow. You drive Lily’s car back so she doesn’t have to make another trip." William Harris immediately agreed, "Alright." Then he looked at me, "Miss Miller, your car keys?" While I hesitated, Wennie Lane came over and added fuel to the fire, "Let Mr. Carter take you home, I wouldn’t feel safe having someone like you call for a driver after drinking." "Exactly! You’re so pretty, it’s so dangerous at night!" Melissa Chandler tugged at my arm again. Their insistence left me no choice but to hand the car keys to William Harris, "Then I’m sorry to trouble Secretary Harris." "Miss Miller, it’s no trouble." "Alright, get in the car!" Melissa Chandler pulled me to the car door, urging me to get in first. I saw Daniel Carter on the back seat, already moving toward the other door to make room. My mind buzzed, wondering why I should sit in the middle next to him? "Melissa, the front seat is empty, I’ll sit upfront." Luckily, my brain reacted quickly, and I pointed to the front. "Oh come on, sitting in the front makes it hard to chat, you’ll have to turn your neck back, and the back seat is so spacious." Melissa Chandler responded deftly. I highly suspected she was doing it on purpose to set us up!