“Tell his parents to come over and send him to the old house. Let the elders decide what to do with him for what he did today.” Conrad wasn’t in the mood to deal with Booth anymore.
Once they sent him to the elders, expulsion would be the least of his worries.
The Brown family had always been strict about betraying them.
Conrad didn’t feel like arguing with Booth’s family. Either Booth would give up his life at the family shrine, or his family would be disowned and never have anything to do with the Browns again.
After Booth left, the room fell silent.
Conrad sat there, reflecting on everything from the past three years with Lillian.
He felt her once-burning love.
He stayed the entire night, and by morning, the room was thick with smoke.
He walked out, and Andrew was waiting downstairs.
“Sir.”
“What’s Lillian doing?”
Usually, someone would send him updates on her meals, who she met, and who she talked to. But he hadn’t checked today.
“What else? She follows the same routine every day.”
So predictable that she had completely forgotten about City N, and forgotten about him.
But right then, Conrad wanted her.
He longed to return to that place where Lillian only had eyes for him.
He was eager to kiss her deeply.
“Prepare. We’re going to H City.”
Andrew was stunned. “You’re almost engaged. Now you’re going to bring her back?”
With Lillian’s temper, what kind of storm was he about to face?
“I know it’s not the right time to bring her back. But I miss her. And since we didn’t catch Hunter, I can’t leave Lillian there alone.”
This was the first time Andrew had ever heard Conrad explain himself.
He opened his mouth, struggling with the complexity of emotions. He couldn’t understand how someone like Conrad could let himself fall so deeply for a woman.
But the night passed, and the reality was clear.
Andrew had to admit, Lillian had an enormous influence on Conrad.
Conrad who hadn’t slept all night was unusually energetic and excited.
After thinking for a moment, he decided to head back to Hillside Villa to take a shower. He remembered that Lillian didn’t like the heavy smell of smoke.
He changed into a fresh set of clothes before coming out.
Andrew caught a whiff of the perfume on him and was a bit puzzled.
“Lillian bought this for me three years ago. Isn’t it nice?”
If it weren’t for that diary, he would have forgotten all about this bottle of perfume.
Conrad was the kind of person who came and went as he pleased, never bothering to ask for anyone’s approval.
But he completely forgot-today was the day he’d promised Daisy.
When Ford received the news that Conrad had left City N, he immediately contacted Irene with a stoic expression.
He informed her that Conrad was busy and not in City N, telling Miss Daisy to handle everything related to the engagement ceremony on the cruise ship herself.
Irene was dumbfounded.
How was she supposed to deliver this message?
She feared Daisy might actually kill her!
Today, Daisy had spent three hours at home trying on outfits and then spent another five hours getting ready to meet Mr. Conrad.
Irene steeled herself and went to see Daisy.
Daisy’s mood was surprisingly good. “What’s up? What’s going on?”
“Mr. Conrad… left City N. He said he had something to do.”
Daisy’s face instantly turned pale. “When did this happen? I’ve been waiting here for almost two hours, and now you’re telling me he’s not coming?”
“This is the situation…”
Before Irene could finish her sentence, Daisy slapped her across the face. “Useless fool!”
She hated this feeling of being completely out of control.
She hated how Conrad was treating her like this!
Back when their engagement date hadn’t been set, she could still occasionally have a meal with him.
But now?
Now, seeing him even once was nearly impossible!
Conrad! I’ll make you suffer like this! Let’s see who can outlast whom!
Conrad was also planning to visit Simon and the others while picking up Lillian.
The shipbuilding project required the support of several big families. Since he was stepping into their territory, they had to show some respect.
He just wasn’t sure how that silly woman would react when she saw him coming to get her.
Andrew glanced at Conrad, who seemed particularly in a good mood. He quietly turned his gaze away, feeling a bit of a headache.
******
“Miss Lillian, are you satisfied?” A sweet voice rang out as Lillian was busy arranging new little toys.
Each one was placed in a glass display case, with a layer of white velvet underneath.
Lillian looked up when she heard the voice, and saw it was her old client Winnie.
Winnie put down her things, looked around, and said, “Looks like it’s almost ready.”
Lillian smiled and poured her a glass of juice. “I owe you one. You helped me with those KT boards before.”
“Oh, our company specializes in renovations. No need to be polite. I’m one of your big clients now.” Winnie’s gaze swept across the small display case.
Lillian quickly wrapped up a gift for her. “This is my way of saying thank you. You can try it out on your man Oliver when you get home.”
Winnie’s face suddenly turned bright red, and her tone became stiff. “Who wants to try it on him? He’s on a business trip. But actually, I do have a business deal to discuss with you.”
“What big business? Why’d you come all the way here personally?” Lillian teased.
“Well, here’s the address and contact information. I’ve been in touch with her about some renovation work. She doesn’t like shopping online and refuses to go out, so she wants you to bring some of your best-selling products to her house.”
Lillian glanced at the business card and address.
Although she wasn’t very familiar with H City, Lillian knew it was a wealthy district.
People like them often feared being seen buying this kind of product, and she could understand that.
“Okay, I’ll contact her.”
Winnie rested her head on her hand. “Hey, tell me the truth. The model on your website, can’t you introduce him? Doesn’t he have any plans to debut? This is such a waste! You should talk him out of it, don’t let him give up an easy way to make money.”
Winnie looked genuinely distressed.
Lillian didn’t know how to explain that Conrad probably had more money than he knew what to do with.
If he knew how many people were after his body online, she wasn’t sure if her website could even stay up.
But Conrad had long forgotten about the photo shoot they did together. He always said the photos weren’t proper and insisted that if they were going to shoot, they should do something better.
Thinking back to those wedding photos before she ran away, Lillian pushed all distractions aside. “I’ll contact her. Thank you.”
Recently, her shop had been receiving visits from several high-class ladies.
There were quite a few big clients just coming in to place orders.
She also needed to head to Kama’s store to place an order.
Glancing at Michelle’s business card, Lillian decided to finish preparing everything before going.
Winnie delivered the items, did a site inspection, and then opened her phone to check her horoscope. “Looks good. Tomorrow’s forecast says there’s going to be a special surprise that will change the course of your future. Be careful in your choices.”
Lillian wondered if it meant a big order was coming through.
“Thanks for the good luck.”
“Alright, Oliver suddenly returned home. He’s making soup and waiting for me to taste it. I’d better not keep you any longer.” Winnie, like a carefree little butterfly, fluttered off to go home.
Lillian occasionally envied her-such simple happiness felt so distant from her own life.
She sent a message to the contact with the details provided.
It didn’t take long for a reply. The message said there would be a gathering tomorrow, and that her sisters would also be there. They asked her to bring more products for selection, and a driver would pick her up.
Lillian didn’t think twice, as the shop had recently hired a new employee. She packed the most popular items and received the address and contact details.
The store usually closed at 9:30 PM.
Lillian lived in a nearby apartment.
She enjoyed walking slowly back home, occasionally stopping at a corner shop to buy a bouquet.
It was a one-bedroom apartment, warm and cozy, with the evening breeze coming through the window.
It was a peaceful, quiet life that she hadn’t experienced in three years.
Lillian never imagined she would ever have such a day.
When she got home, she turned on the lights and placed the flowers she bought into a vase before collecting her clothes and getting ready to wash up.
Without thinking, she glanced downstairs and noticed a car. The driver reached out his hand. From the distance, she could only tell his hand was long and elegant.
At that moment, Lillian found herself thinking of Conrad.
Maybe it was the mental relaxation after a busy day that made her think of past people and events.
Lillian pulled back, but she couldn’t shake the feeling and peeked again.
She realized the man coming down was someone completely unfamiliar, and she let out a breath of relief, giving a faint smile.
Probably by now, Conrad was too busy with his engagement to worry about looking for her.
Lillian relaxed completely and entered the bathroom to take a shower.
Downstairs, hidden in the shadows, the man lit a cigarette.
Andrew said, “The hotel’s been booked. Don’t you want to rest?”
He’d followed her all the way from the mall and had made sure she got home safely. He could have rested by now.
But Conrad stood there, unmoving.
It was as if he was deep in thought.
An indescribable vibe filled the air.
After a long pause, he didn’t leave until the lights upstairs went out.
“Let’s go.”