Chapter 517 I Also Have My Own Motives
The street was lit up with neon lights.
Margaret and Daniel stepped out of the restaurant after dinner.
Daniel, ever the gentleman, held the glass door open for her.
She smiled warmly, thanked him, and carefully descended the steps in her high heels.
"How about I walk you home? It'll help us digest," Daniel suggested, his black coat draped over his arm, his broad shoulders and slim waist giving him an air of sophistication.
As he spoke, his eyes crinkled slightly at the corners.
Margaret was about to decline when Daniel's lips curved into a smile. "The Hughes Group has a few new projects. I could discuss them with Ms. Hughes in detail. Ms. Hughes, are you still going to refuse?"
The night breeze was cool against her cheeks.
Her skirt fluttered slightly.
Daniel walked beside her, maintaining a respectful distance.
After discussing work, he turned to look at the elegantly dressed Margaret. "How have you been, Ms. Hughes?"
"Of course," she replied quickly.
Daniel smiled. "I wasn't asking about work."
Margaret looked at him, puzzled.
"Raymond? Have you completely moved on?" Daniel teased.
She was momentarily lost in thought.
At this moment, Raymond was probably in the operating room.
But they had long since become strangers. She had donated her bone marrow, and they owed each other nothing.
After a brief hesitation, Margaret chose her words carefully and forced a smile. "Of course."
"Ms. Hughes, that reaction doesn't seem like you've moved on. It sounds more like heartbreak."
"Don't make fun of me, Ms. Hughes. Raymond and I are over," Margaret said, looking at the streetlights and sighing softly. "Thinking back, I feel so foolish. If I had listened to my mother and married the man she approved of, maybe I'd have a happy family now. I lost so much for the sake of so-called love."
"Ms. Hughes, you shouldn't think that way. Do you even remember last year's hardships?" Daniel asked gently.
Margaret was at a loss for words. She couldn't remember clearly.
"Getting through it is what matters. Transformation and growth are never easy. If your parents could see the changes in you now, from a fragile girl to the president of The Hughes Group, they would be proud," Daniel said, slowing his pace to comfort her.
As they crossed the street, Margaret hurried.
She didn't notice the car speeding towards her.
"Ms. Hughes, watch out!" Daniel grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to his side.
She stumbled, leaning against his firm chest.
A jolt of electricity seemed to spread from Daniel's wrist through her entire body, leaving her tingling.
Margaret's eyes widened in surprise, but when she saw the car speed past, she realized Daniel had saved her.
Her expression turned grateful.
Daniel quickly released her wrist and stepped back to maintain a proper distance. "Ms. Hughes, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to grab your hand."
"It's okay."
He had used a bit too much force.
Her wrist ached slightly.
Margaret rubbed her wrist with her other hand.
After crossing the street, she heard Daniel ask, "So, Ms. Hughes, what are your plans?"
Plans?
Margaret looked up at the dark night sky. There was no moon tonight, but the stars were scattered across the sky.
"Of course, to live well and look forward."
"Raymond—"
"The person who will grow old with me won't be him."
This statement clearly conveyed that Margaret was done considering Raymond.
Daniel's lips curved into a smile. Did this mean he had a chance?
"Ms. Hughes, are you nostalgic? Do you like eating familiar foods, using familiar things, and not trying new things?"
"Yeah," Margaret nodded.
"Then I suggest you try new foods, new experiences, new men. The more you see and try, the more you'll know what you truly need. You might think you love a certain snack, but one day, you might try something new and be pleasantly surprised."
Margaret didn't respond. She understood the deeper meaning behind his words.
"Ms. Hughes, from what I see, your feelings for Raymond might just be out of habit."
"Habit?" Margaret turned to look at him.
He smiled again. "He was probably your first love, the only person you've ever liked."
"Yeah."
"That's it. You've only liked him, only been with him, so of course, you got used to him. You need to have more relationships to compare and understand what you truly want."
"Mr. Taylor, you seem to have a lot of experience with relationships," Margaret said, narrowing her eyes at him.
But Daniel was so exceptional. Despite being an illegitimate child, he had remained true to himself, unlike Sarah who had taken a darker path. Such a warm person, what woman wouldn't like him?
If she had met Daniel earlier, she might have fallen for him too.
Daniel's eyes twinkled with a faint smile. "Not too much."
Margaret's smile faded. "To be honest, Mr. Taylor, after my last marriage, I've lost all hope for marriage. Including men."
"That's not true. There are good men out there. If you look carefully, you'll find one," Daniel said, frowning slightly, unable to help but argue.
The subtext was clear: He hoped that Margaret might consider him.
Margaret was lost in her thoughts and didn't catch the deeper meaning of his words.
"A good man is like a rare gem, already taken. How could I find one?" Margaret smiled, thinking he was just comforting her. "I'll focus on my work and running The Hughes Group. I'll pass on the pain of relationships."
This statement clearly told Daniel she had no intention of dating again.
Daniel's throat felt tight.
The black coat on his arm felt unusually heavy.
They were almost at The Hughes Manor.
As she said goodbye, Daniel felt a pang of reluctance.
After secretly loving her for so many years, he didn't want to continue like this.
"Ms. Hughes," Daniel called out to her retreating figure, his emotions in turmoil.
Should he tell her he had been in love with her for ten years?
Her name had been his anchor during his toughest times.
Margaret turned back. "Mr. Taylor, is there something else?"
"Actually, Ms. Hughes, you don't have to be so pessimistic. Life is still beautiful. There are still people worth trusting," Daniel said, taking a step closer to her.
"Is that all you wanted to say, Mr. Taylorl?"
"Helping you with work isn't just because we're partners. I have other motives," Daniel said, looking at her delicate features, his eyes slightly reddening.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
