He was already certain, and with the conversation having reached this point, I had no other choice. But I wanted to be selfish just this once.


    I got up "Mr. Smith, if you can''t do it, then I don''t think I can either."


    I didn''t want to make decisions for Frank under the guise of doing what was best for him. But no matter what he chose, I would respect it.


    Mr. Smith''s gaze became sharp. "Right now he''s infatuated and impulsive, willing to give up everything for you. What aboutter? After the initial excitement wears off and he falls from his higherch, have you thought about three years, five years, or ten years from now?"Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    I suddenly found it difficult to breathe.


    Mr. Smith sneered. "When he sees his mother and sister suffering because of his love, will he regret it and me you as the stumbling block?"


    I had to admit, experience had its merits. Every word struck right at the heart of the matter


    "Whether you are Mrs. Frost, Ms. Wilson, or Ms. Shaw, I just hope you can see things clearly. He''s waited for you for so many years. Are you really going to let him sacrifice his whole life for you? Then you don''t deserve his feelings for you at all!" Mr. Smith buttoned his suit jacket.


    "Or do you not see the RF Group''s increasing pressure on the Smith family? Do you not only want to take down Frank but also the entire Smith family?"


    "I''ll give you two days. I hope you can think it over and decide whether he should continue as the son of the Smith family or be an ordinary person outside of the Smith family''s aura."


    I sat on the sofa, staring at the closed door, my thoughts in disarray.


    Frank''s call came in.


    "Hello," I answered.


    On the other end, Frank''s voice sounded just like usual, and he habitually said, “Charlotte, I have something urgent today and won''t be able to meet


    you. We''ll reschedule when I''m done"


    Gince Su Smith was fond of ham, he would probably be personally at the hospital with him Moreover, since the issue stemmed from him, he would definitely be feeling quilty.


    1 forced myself to remain calm, gripping the phone as I tentatively asked, " Did something happen? Is there anything I can help with?"


    "No, something hase up at work."


    "Oh...


    I slowly walked to the window, looking at the unknown flowers blooming brightly, feeling heavy inside but keeping my tone light. "Is everything really alright?"


    "Are you wishing something would go wrong? Do you want me to have an ident?"


    I chuckled lightly. "Of course not."


    "You stay at home and work on the design drafts. In your spare time..." His tired voice carried a hint of amusement. "Think about our future."


    I found myself smiling a little as well. "Our future?"


    "Don''t pretend to be clueless..."


    "Frank, are you done with the call? The foreign experts have arrived for a consultation. You should go and listen in too."


    His voice was apanied by a graceful middle-aged woman''s voice, presumably Mrs. Smith.


    I quickly said, "Frank, go take care of your business!"


    "You heard that?"


    "Yes, I heard someone calling for you. They must be urging you to go to a meeting, right?"


    "Yeah, I''ve got to go."


    "Alright."


    20


    "Don''t forget to think about our future


    "Okay."


    After hanging up, my vision blurred instantly.


    The bright flowers outside could only be seen as a vague pink mass. I couldn''t even make out their shapes.


    As the sun set, I looked back toward the kitchen. Last night, that person was being clumsy in there. Now it felt like he was suddenly so far away.


    Mr. Smith''s words didn''t seem to carry any real threat.


    The next morning, the newspaper headline read "The Smith family''s Second Son Has Returned."


    An illegitimate child was given a background story of being lost in childhood and was openly brought back to the Smith family.


    D