Chapter 50
Marilyn snorted, “If that’s what you think, then sure.”
I smiled and said, “Thanks, Mrs. Shannon.”
Harlan glanced at me, said nothing, and then turned to introduce me to Gerald “Grandpa, this is my girlfriend, Charlene, You’ve met her before.”
Gerald immediately let out a cold hum, his face a bit displeased. “Your girlfriend sure acts freely. Today, she ran off to chat with others first and only remembered me after she was done.”
I could hear the thick sarcasm in his words, but I didn’t mind much.
I knew no one in the Shannon family liked me.
I politely greeted Gerald, took out the gift Harlan had prepared, and handed it to him.
Gerald gave me a cold look. He didn’t open the gift. He just put it aside and pulled Harlan aside to talk.
Before leaving, Harlan looked at me worriedly as if afraid I’d argue with Marilyn. He even said to her, “Mom, take care of Charlene for me.”
Hearing that, I was stunned for a moment and looked up instinctively.
Harlan seemed to have a hint of a smile on his lips.
It felt so familiar. In countless dreams, Lucas smiled like this, standing under the magnolia tree, calling my name over and over.
I suddenly felt very uncomfortable and instinctively brought my wrist to my nose, but after snitling for a while, I didn’t smell the magnolia fragrance.
I felt restless and a bit pained.
Marilyn decided to ignore me. She didn’t say a word, and she turned to chat with other wealthy ladies.
I could even hear Marilyn’s veiled remarks, basically implying she looked down on me.
I didn’t bother to respond since I wasn’t really with Harlan.
I wheeled around, got a glass of juice, and looked around aimlessly, trying to distract myself.
Soon, someone walked up to me. I looked up and saw his familiar features, furrowing my brows slightly.
Ivan said with some amazement, “You’re beautiful.”
I smiled politely and said, “Thanks for the compliment.”
His gaze fell on me. He hesitated for a while and then asked, “Are you really with my brother?”
I hummed in agreement. Ivan was silent for a long time and then said softly, “Do you like my brother?”
“Otherwise?” I raised my head indifferently. “Why else would I be with him if I didn’t like him?”
Ivan froze and seemed to want to say something, but when he looked up, his expression suddenly changed as if he was fearing something. In the end, he didn’t say a word.
I was a bit puzzled. I looked back and saw Harlan’s gentle smile, which instantly dispelled my restlessness.
I relied on him when he smiled like this. He must have heard something pleasant because he leaned down and asked if I was hungry.
Before I could answer, he stuffed a small cake into my hand.
Ivan looked at us with a complicated expression, said a few words to Harlan, and then left a bit awkwardly.
Watching his back, I thought Ivan would probably give up on me now.
But he contacted Elliot, which did help me. I should think about how to return the favor when I was free.
Harlan blocked my view. He followed my gaze, and his smile faded a bit. “Charlene, mind your place.”
1 held the small cake, hummed, and said in a small voice, “Don’t worry. For the sake of the medical bills, I won’t embarrass you.”
You’d better not,” he said coldly.
