Daniel's swift reaction startled Maisie, freezing her in place as she gazed at him.
"Sir? Are you..."
"Are you okay? Does it hurt?" Daniel grabbed a tissue from the nearby table and gently wiped away the blood. "Do
you have any band-aids in your office?"
Maisie shook her head.
"I'll go buy some."
"No need." Maisie stopped him. "It's just a small cut. I used to prick my hand often during crafts."
Daniel furrowed his brows. "No!"
It wasn't just a minor cut to him—she was bleeding. It was a significant concern. The needle might not have been
sterilized, and there could be germs on it. What if she got an infection?
Daniel's typically calm and rational mind was now filled with vivid imagination.
"It's really not a big deal," Maisie said, feeling a bit embarrassed. "How could I trouble you? Uh... Are you here to
pick up Persephone? She hasn't finished her class yet."
"Oh..." Daniel replied casually, realizing he might have overreacted earlier.
Maisie noticed he was still holding her hand and blushed, awkwardly pulling it away.
The two of them stood face to face, the atmosphere growing increasingly awkward.
Daniel decided to break the silence. "I'm sorry for scaring you just now."
"It's alright!"
"I'm here to pick up Sephy," he said with a smile. "I heard she hasn't finished her class yet, so I thought I'd wait in
the office. I didn't expect to startle you and make you cut your hand."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"It's nothing."
Maisie reassured him with a smile.
Daniel was upset. Her smile was the same as before, but her gaze was unfamiliar. He looked into her eyes and said
seriously, "Ms. Squire... I'm really sorry."
Maisie didn't seem to grasp the significance and continued to shake her head, saying it was okay.
Daniel looked down and noticed a picture on her desk.
She had a sweet smile in the photo, standing beside a handsome man. The background featured a grove of plane
trees. The weather on the day of the picture was lovely, with blue skies, white clouds, and warm sunlight. They
looked perfect together.
'This man must be her boyfriend, the one she is planning to marry...' he thought.
Daniel took a deep breath and discreetly placed his clenched fist behind his back, trying to hide his emotional
turmoil with a forced smile.
"The photo looks beautiful," he said.
"Oh, that..." Maisie seemed a bit embarrassed. "That's my boyfriend."
"You can tell he's a well-mannered young man," he commented.
"Sir, you're too kind. He's actually quite ordinary."
Although Maisie said that, Daniel could see that she was happy.
He smiled, happy for her but also a bit melancholic about her happiness.
The school bell rang, and Daniel snapped back to reality.
Persephone came bouncing out of the piano room, and her piano teacher personally handed her over to Daniel.
Before leaving the office, he looked back at Maisie.
"Granduncle, are you feeling unhappy again?" Persephone tugged at his hand.
Daniel forced a smile. "No, I'm not."
"Did you see the prince?"
Daniel didn't say anything.
"Is the prince handsome?" Persephone seemed to be twisting a knife in his heart with every word.
"Alright, I'll take you home right away."
"Granduncle, you'll see the prince this weekend!"
"What?" Daniel was surprised.
"Uncle Toph is going to propose to Aunt Arya this weekend. The prince and Ms. Squire will be there!" -
Linda wore a dress she had chosen for the evening banquet as she sat gracefully on the living room sofa. A stylist
took her measurements and noted her preferences.
The aqua-blue color beautifully complemented her skin and added to her elegance.
Daniel could tell at a glance that the fabric was expensive, and the patterns were expertly embroidered. He
chuckled and jokingly said, "Linda, this dress probably costs more than the profit of a small company for six
months, right? Nicholas really pampers you."
"I've watched Toph grow up," Linda replied casually. "This banquet is a significant event in his life, so I should dress a
bit more formally."
"The Bayer heiress is a suitable match for him," he said.
"Yeah." Linda looked at him with something hidden in her gaze. "Daniel, you should come this weekend.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmI... will introduce someone to you."
Daniel pressed his lips together, his eyes displaying a hint of coldness as he stared at Linda.
"Who?" He snorted. "The Bayer heiress' brother?"
Linda froze before she replied calmly, "You already knew." "If I hadn't known, how long were you planning to keep it
from me?" he asked.
"Daniel..."
"It was you who brought Maisie, who had lost her memory, to Centrolis. You arranged for her to work as a teacher
at the international kindergarten, and you... made her Graham's fiancee, didn't you?"
Linda took a deep breath, not denying it.
"Who do you think you are? A savior?" Daniel slammed his hand on the table, raising his voice.
The stylist was frightened and stood still while a few housekeepers rushed in, but Daniel's imposing aura forced
them to step back. They exchanged glances, not daring to approach.
The living room's air seemed to freeze, and Linda said after a long silence, "Daniel, you should face reality.
"Maisie has a new life now. If you genuinely loved her, you wouldn't disturb her anymore. I did all of this not for any
other reason but because I thought the girl was very pitiful."
"I wanted to make it up to her, but why didn't you give me a chance?"
"Make it up?" Linda smiled wryly. "Young people these days have a saying—delayed affection is cheaper than trash.
Daniel, staying away from her life is the best compensation you can give her now."
Linda added, "Many important figures from Centrolis will be present this weekend. You should come and get to
know them. It'll be beneficial for your development in Centrolis.
"Of course, if you can't let go of Maisie, then you better not come. You might do something irrational, and your
brother-in-law will have to clean up the mess!"