Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Make sure she gets stuck there for as long as possible.
Stanley helped Lilac settle into the car before quickly walking around to the other side and slipping into the driver’s seat.

His expression was somber, yet his actions were gentle, which, oddly enough, put Lilac at ease.

“How did you fall?” he suddenly asked, interrupting her silent admiration of him.

Lilac awkwardly adjusted herself in the seat, her lips parting as if to speak, but she hesitated, trying to come up with a reasonable answer.

Stanley took in her silence and studied her intently. She was so easy to read that he couldn’t help but let out a helpless sigh.

“I tripped on the pavement while crossing the road,” she finally admitted, sneaking a peek at Stanley as he started the car.

“I already guessed it would be something lame.”

His words made Lilac gape at him in disbelief.

“How can you call me lame?!” she snapped, her chest heaving in anger.

“Oh, I forgot. Not lame—clumsy,” Stanley corrected himself, making her even angrier.

She had expected him to be concerned, to pamper her a little, but instead, he was blaming her for being clumsy.

‘So what if I’m clumsy? It’s still his fault.’

“This is all because of you!” she accused, darting an angry glare his way.

Stanley frowned, his gaze curious. “Me? How is you tripping on the pavement my fault?”

“Of course it’s your fault! I went there to buy a gift for your birthday and ended up not getting it,” Lilac huffed, crossing her arms.

Stanley was caught off guard. His expression shifted from curiosity to shock in an instant, his eyes searching hers.

Lilac refused to meet his gaze, and her cold indifference struck him harder than he expected. He was so hopeless about his life that he didn’t even want to acknowledge the day he was born. Yet, Lilac always made an effort to make it special, showering him with gifts he never had the heart to throw away.

As if sensing his stare, Lilac slowly turned her head toward him, but he quickly looked away.

Clearing his throat, he muttered, “You shouldn’t have bothered.”

Her expression hardened at his harsh response, but she quickly blinked away the sting in her eyes, refusing to let him see her hurt.

“Yeah, I shouldn’t have,” she mumbled, looking out the window. “I know you never valued the gifts I gave you. You probably threw them all away.”

Stanley’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, and without another word, he pressed the accelerator, speeding up.

***

[J&K International]

Winter continued working, but no matter how hard she tried to focus, she couldn’t shake off the uneasiness that settled in her chest the moment she saw Dianna in Kalix’s office.

There was no reason for her to feel insecure. And yet, every time she witnessed Dianna making an attempt to get closer to Kalix, an irrational surge of anger bubbled within her, making her want to pull the woman apart.

What’s wrong with you, Winter? Since when did you start caring about who Kalix associates with? Have you forgotten—Dianna was always the first choice for him?

Her fingers froze over the keyboard as the realization struck her. She had momentarily forgotten that Kalix’s family, especially his grandfather, had been eager to marry him off to Dianna. So why was she letting herself get swayed by these fleeting emotions?

She should have known better. No matter what, Sylvester would never accept her. And in the end, Dianna would always be the woman Kalix was meant to be with.

Winter let out a quiet sigh, leaning back in her chair.

“You shouldn’t bother with what Dianna feels for Kalix,” she muttered under her breath, as if saying it aloud would make it true.

Yet, as she tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling, an uncomfortable feeling coiled deep within her chest, one she couldn’t ignore no matter how much she tried.

As Winter continued to ponder, the sudden ringing of her desk phone snapped her out of her thoughts. She quickly reached for it and answered.

“Come to my office.”

Dianna’s curt tone made Winter’s expression turn solemn. She hummed in acknowledgment before hanging up the call and bracing herself for whatever awaited her.

***

[Inside Dianna’s Office]

“I want you to go and check on the work at the Hilltone site,” Dianna ordered, barely looking up.

Winter frowned at the mention of Hilltone. “That’s two hours from here,” she said, confused.

Dianna gave her an unimpressed look and shrugged. “So what? You need to inspect the site, clear some pending bills, and return. Simple as that.”

Winter’s brows furrowed. Seriously? Two hours to drive there, another two hours to complete the work, and then two more hours to get back. Is she kidding me? How am I supposed to make it to the evening meeting then?

She wanted to voice her protest but quickly caught on to the scheme. Dianna was deliberately trying to send her away just so she could have Kalix to herself.

‘Such a cunning woman.’

“Now, don’t just stand there. Get to work. And remember,” Dianna added with a saccharine smile, “you have to be back before we leave for the evening meeting. I wouldn’t want Kalix to be upset because of you.”

Winter’s lips twitched at her audacity. She’s doing this on purpose.

Without another word, she turned on her heels and left the office.

As soon as the door shut behind her, Dianna leaned back in her chair, an evil grin spreading across her lips.

“Now, let’s see how you make it to the evening meeting,” she muttered, already savoring her victory and the thought of having Kalix all to herself.

Dianna quickly grabbed her phone, typing out a message before hitting send.

“Make sure she gets stuck there for as long as possible.”

A smug smile played on her lips as she tossed her phone aside and continued with her work.

***

Winter returned to her desk, her eyes instinctively drifting toward Kalix’s office. Seeing it empty made her chest tighten, but she pushed the feeling aside. There was no point in dwelling on it.

Shaking off her thoughts, she grabbed her things and swiftly left the office, determined to finish the task assigned to her.