Devilish secretary - Chapter 249

Chapter 249: Chapter 249 Acting different (2)
The morning sun was soft and golden, shining through the big glass windows of the countryside mansion. Everyone was gathering near the entrance, ready for the picnic Ethan had planned.

Ethan was dressed in his usual stylish white shirt and loose brown pants. He looked fresh and excited but his expression was far from happy.

“I swear on all the actors I respect,” Ethan grumbled loudly, hands on his hips, “if that box with legs follows me one more time, I’ll turn him into a toaster!”

Sir Sparkleton stood beside him, calm as ever, with a proud beep. “Sir Ethan’s sleeping posture was 61 degrees off ideal. As your temporary assistant, I must intervene.”

“You tucked me in, Sparkleton!” Ethan cried out. “TUCKED ME IN! With three blankets and a hot water bag!”

Sir Sparkleton tilted his head. “The room temperature dropped 0.5 degrees. I calculated comfort level based on your heart rate.”

Nova was tying his shoelaces nearby but burst out laughing. “He’s your bodyguard and babysitter now!”

Ava and rose giggled.

Lilith stepped down the staircase, looking flawless in a navy blue blouse and soft jeans. Her hair was loosely tied, and her lips curled in a quiet, pleased smile.

Because, finally, someone else was dealing with Sir Sparkleton’s madness.

Ray walked down next to her, wearing a plain cream hoodie and jeans. His hair was still fluffy from sleep, and he looked around with sparkling curiosity.

But something was different.

“Morning!” Ray said brightly, waving at everyone.

Ethan blinked. “Uh… morning, bro?”

Everyone was still recovering from Ray’s sudden cheerfulness.

He stood at the entrance beside Lilith, grinning like sunshine in human form.

Ethan squinted. “Wait… why are you so… chipper?”

Ray tilted his head innocently. “Is it a crime to enjoy a beautiful morning?”

Nova leaned toward Ava and whispered, “He smiled at me earlier. I’m telling you, that’s not our usual boss. Either he’s possessed… or we’re in some kind of alternate universe.”

Ava nodded slowly, eyes wide. “Do you think we should call a priest?”

Just then, Grandpa Arthur stepped out, wearing a beige sweater. His gaze fell on Ray.

His brows slowly drew together.

“Is that… Sebastian?” he asked, as if questioning reality itself.

Ray turned to him with a sweet smile. “Morning, Gramps!”

Gramps?

Arthur froze.

Ethan’s jaw dropped. “Did he just call Grandpa Gramps?!”

Sir Sparkleton’s red eyes blinked. “Master Sebastian’s tone is unusually bright. Heartbeat elevated slightly. Conclusion: he is either happy or experiencing sugar rush.”

Ray clapped his hands. “Alright! Let’s get going. The mountain air is calling us.”

He turned to Lilith and offered his arm like a gentleman from an old movie. “Shall we, my queen?”

Lilith rolled her eyes but slipped her hand into his. “You’re very bold this morning.”

He winked. “That’s because I slept in your arms. All my stats are maxed out today.”

However, Lilith didn’t stop him.

She let Ray behave as he wanted…talking too much, smiling too brightly, acting like a happy child finally free to breathe.

Because deep down, she understood.

How suffocating it must have been… to live surrounded only by given memories. If Ray ever wanted to shine, to laugh freely, to be silly without the fear of being silenced, she would never take that away from him. Not now, not ever.

Not even for a second.

Her soft gaze followed him as he playfully tugged Sir Sparkleton’s metal arm and told him, “No lectures during the picnic, okay? You’ll ruin my date.”

Meanwhile, Rose stood silently behind Ethan, her wide eyes fixed on her brother.

She hadn’t seen this side of him in years.

Not since they were kids.

She remembered how he used to make her flower crowns and sing off-key lullabies just to cheer her up. That gentle part of him had disappeared as they grew up, swallowed by silence, pressure, and the weight of being a Carter.

But now…

Now he looked alive.

And happy.

And a small, warm smile spread on Rose’s face.

***

They had arranged two cars for the trip. In the first car were Grandpa Arthur, Rose, Ava, and Nova.

The second car carried Ethan, Sebastian, Lilith, and Sir Sparkleton.

After everyone settled in the car, with snacks packed, sunglasses on, and the countryside breeze sneaking in through the half-open windows, Ray leaned forward from the back seat where he was sitting beside Lilith.

He cupped his hand dramatically over Sir Sparkleton’s square metal ear and whispered something in a playful tone.

No one heard what he said…

But Sir Sparkleton’s red eyes blinked twice, and a soft beep followed.

“As per Master Ray’s command,” he said proudly, “Operation Date Mode Activated.”

Lilith raised an eyebrow.

“What did you just whisper to him?” she asked suspiciously.

Ray grinned, resting his chin on her shoulder like a kitten. “Shhh… it’s a secret mission. Just follow my lead, Miss Mystery.”

And of course, how could Sir Sparkleton possibly disobey his creator?

The little tin can proudly opened a hidden compartment in his chest and handed Ray a tiny folded note, a chocolate bar, and somehow, a pink flower.

Lilith blinked. “Why do you have these?”

“I prepare for everything,” Sir Sparkleton said, chest puffed with pride.

Ethan kept looking at his brother from the front seat mirror.

Something was definitely off.

His usually cold, sharp, quiet older brother was now humming while scrolling through his phone, casually munching on chocolate given by that glorified tin can. He even smiled at the wind once. Smiled. Ethan was horrified.

“Bro…?” Ethan leaned back slightly, turning to glance at him properly. “Do you… remember what happened last month? With Grandma? With Sienna?”

Ray blinked and tilted his head. “That sounds like something very not fun. Why bring up scary stuff during a sunny drive?”

Ethan’s mouth opened slightly.

Just then buzz buzz.

His phone rang.

Leia.

Ethan groaned loudly.

He stared at Leia’s name flashing on the screen.

This woman again.

Sienna’s best friend. The same one Grandma Bria wanted him to marry when she was still alive, always nagging about continuing the family line. As if Ethan needed help in attracting women. Hah.

But Leia? She was way too clingy, and worse, he suspected she had feelings for Liam, not him. Then why force it? Because of status? Name?

He cut the call and tossed the phone in the cupholder.

“If she was even a little normal, I might’ve considered it,” Ethan muttered to himself. “But trying to marry one guy and love another? Nah, I’m not going to be anyone’s backup plan.”