After the ritual ended, Callie’s phone vibrated in her pocket. It had been vibrating for a while, but she had ignored it due to the solemn atmosphere.
Nelson noticed her distraction and, seeing that no one was paying attention to her, instructed a servant to take her away. “Can you manage on your own?”
Callie nodded. Did she have a choice?
Once outside, she finally checked her phone. All the missed calls were from Jaquan. She called back, “What’s up? Is something wrong?”
Jaquan’s voice was grave. “Did you go back to the Oconnor family with Nelson?”
Callie was incredulous. “How do you know everything so quickly? Do you have me under surveillance?”
Jaquan wasn’t in the mood for jokes. His tone was commanding, “Leave there today. I’m serious.”
Callie couldn’t believe it. “Jaquan, why?”
Nelson had already promised her that they would leave after the ritual to have a reunion dinner with her grandfather. So why was Jaquan saying this?
Jaquan didn’t explain. “Just listen to me, Callie. You are Nelson’s wife, but before that, you are yourself.”
The statement was too vague for Callie to understand. Before she could ask more, Jaquan hung up.
A servant led Callie to a secluded courtyard where everything was well-arranged.
Callie politely dismissed the servant and sat on a stone bench in front of the courtyard to calm herself.
It was her first time meeting the Oconnor family today. Although everyone seemed friendly, there was an undeniable sense of exclusion.
It was likely because she wasn’t the ideal match for the Oconnor family and also because her background was too ordinary.
She tried to be as composed as Nelson and Shamar but still felt out of place, almost small-minded.
She recalled reading in a book: A girl who grew up in the slums, fortunate enough to read a few books, thought she could stand on equal footing with others. But life is a relay race, not a hundred-meter dash. Few can break free from their original class, especially women. In marriage, love is insignificant.
She hadn’t understood it before; now she did.
Callie sighed and smiled self-deprecatingly.
Not long after, Nelson returned and saw Callie boiling water in the kitchen.
Callie noticed some papers he placed on the table, probably Shamar’s report cards.
Jokingly, she thought he took it seriously; his confidence in joining the Oconnor Group was evident.
“Aren’t you afraid of raising a tiger that could harm you?”
Callie held a glass, intending to pour hot water. Nelson gently took it from her, poured the water, and cooled it at her lips.
“If I can raise a tiger, I can tame it,” Nelson finally showed a gentle side beyond his social facade.
Callie was lost in thought. She had many questions but didn’t know where to start.
As the water cooled, he brought the glass to her lips, feeding her like a cat.
He said, “Some people think they have power just because they are close to it.”
“Without falling, they won’t learn.”
Nelson wiped the water from her lips and removed one of her bracelets, leaving only the one given by her grandfather.
He casually remarked, “This bracelet is worth a million dollars.”
Callie seemed startled.
The million-dollar bracelet was lightly tossed onto the table as he said nonchalantly, “But we don’t wear it.”
“What do you want to eat?” It was noon, and Nelson asked as he opened the pantry.