The Billionaire Stands Up for Me-Chapter 169: He Made It Clear, Hopes We Break Up

Chapter 169: Chapter 169: He Made It Clear, Hopes We Break Up

"Lily, you must be prepared for some negative consequences when you return. Get ready for that," my aunt worriedly advised.

"Hmm, I know. I’ll return home tomorrow night, and the day after that I’ll visit you and Grandma to celebrate the New Year."

"No rush, Grandma knows you’re busy with work. Rest up after you get back," she reassured.

"Alright, goodbye, Aunt."

After hanging up the phone, I looked at Daniel Carter and sighed helplessly, "The Gordon Family definitely knows that it was you who submitted the report against them. They also understand that you’re dealing with them because of me."

Daniel held my hand with a nonchalant look, playing with my fingers.

I frowned, shook off his hand lightly, and patted him, "Are you even listening to me?"

He smiled, "Yes, I am."

He paused, then comforted me, "Rest assured, everything is under my control. Besides, they are the ones breaking the law, and it’s the authorities investigating the Gordon Family, not me. As a citizen, it’s my duty to report unlawful activities to the authorities. I’m upright and just; what is there to worry about?"

I knew Daniel made sense, but the Gordon Family acts like mad dogs. Who knows when they might bite back.

After over a dozen hours of flying, we finally returned home, just as the Lunar New Year holiday was coming to an end.

Upon landing, as soon as Daniel turned his phone back on, he received a call from Carter Manor.

He didn’t say much, just nodded a few times in response.

After ending the call, he looked down at me and said, "I’ll take you home first, but I have to head back to my family."

Concerned, I asked, "Is Grandpa Carter’s health not well?"

"I’m not sure, but yes, it’s the old man’s orders."

"Alright then, you don’t have to take me home. Go back quickly."

"It’s fine, I can spare the time."

He held my hand, greeting our colleagues, and left Wennie Lane behind as he hurried away.

In the car, I felt drowsy.

He raised his arm and drew me into his embrace, softly and tenderly asking, "Would you like to go to my place? I’ll come back to accompany you later after checking in at home. Your place is too far from Carter Manor."

I frowned, worrying, "Baxter’s been cooped up at home for several days. Although you arranged for someone to walk him daily, he must still feel quite lonely."

Daniel frowned and laughed, "I forgot you still have a dog..."

He paused and then said, "I’ll send someone to bring Baxter to the villa."

Looking up at him from within his arms, into his deep eyes, I smiled, "Is that really necessary? We’ve been together every day recently..."

Spending a night apart shouldn’t be a big deal, right?

He couldn’t help but kiss me on the lips, his voice even more tender, "I don’t want to spend even a second apart... okay?"

Since we had become intimate, Daniel had become increasingly clingy.

And I’ve found myself less and less able to refuse him.

"Okay then..."

"You can sleep for a bit. I’ll wake you when we arrive." He gently patted my shoulder, adjusting his body to make me more comfortable in his arms.

Upon arrival at the Lakeshore Villa, Daniel woke me.

He escorted me inside, giving instructions about everything in detail.

"Don’t worry, I can take care of myself. You should go home quickly." I was anxious for him, fearing that if he went home late, he might face criticism from his family.

During the New Year, he spent several days with me abroad. I just hope Mrs. Carter won’t think worse of me because of it.

After my urging, he smiled, hugged me, and gave me a peck, pinching my ear lightly, "When will you ever show that you need me, even if you have to pretend?"

I glanced at him sideways, a little surprised inside.

So he also likes women who play the damsel in distress roles...

As expected, all men want their women to admire and rely on them. It must satisfy their male pride.

After sending Daniel away, I looked at the expansive villa. Honestly, it didn’t bring me much joy.

This large house only accentuates my loneliness and smallness, giving me a vague sense of dread.

Luckily, Baxter was brought over soon.

Together with a sumptuous dinner.

"Miss Miller, Mr. Carter instructed that you don’t need to wait for him. This is a specially prepared dinner for you."

"Alright, thank you."

Returning to the dining room, the dog and I began to eat.

There are many things to address at the company, including a fashion week review, unresolved issues from before the holiday, and upcoming job arrangements.

I quickly stuffed myself and then opened the laptop to get back to work.

The long journey was accompanied by Daniel, and being in a comfortable first-class seat, it wasn’t much of a hassle.

I even took a nap on the road to the villa.

So, despite it being late at night, I wasn’t tired at all due to the time difference and having rested.

I worked until 1 AM, but Daniel still hadn’t returned.

I started feeling uneasy, worrying if something happened with the Carters.

After washing up, I curled up in bed, casually flipping through a book from the nightstand. But around 2 AM, I suddenly heard the sound of a car downstairs.

The sleepiness I had just started to feel vanished. I got out of bed, drew open the curtains, and looked at the courtyard.

Sure enough, Daniel was back!

As if telepathically, he looked up at me, and we shared a smile across the distance.

He came upstairs, and I was already waiting at the elevator.

As soon as he stepped out, I greeted him with a smile, and we seamlessly kissed each other.

At that moment, I realized his decision was very wise.

If he hadn’t brought me here and let me go home, I probably would’ve been tossing and turning all night, unable to sleep.

So this is what they mean by "a day apart feels like three years" in a passionate romance.

We kissed all the way from the elevator to the bedroom.

Upon reaching the bed, he stopped with a laugh, gently brushing my hair aside, and asked, "It’s already past midnight, why aren’t you asleep? Waiting for me?"

"Not really... I slept on the way, so I’m not tired now." I cunningly rolled my eyes, feigning indifference.

In truth, I was waiting for him.

I couldn’t feel settled without his return.

Daniel is sharp; he saw through me immediately, "You little fox."

"You love giving people nicknames."

"No, I only like giving you nicknames."

I pressed my lips to stifle a smile, my heart brimming with happiness, and pushed him, "Hurry up and wash up, or it’ll be daylight soon."

"Okay, I’ll go wash up. You should sleep first." He kissed me again before getting off the bed.

I pulled the quilt over me, listening to the faint sound of water coming from the bathroom, my mind conjuring images of his strong, sexy body.

With so many troubles and issues in front of me, I’m surprisingly not worried at all, with my thoughts filled only with the allure of a man.

Alas, I know I’m beyond saving.

When Daniel finished his shower and came out, I was still awake.

His warm, enticing body climbed into bed, and I rolled over to snuggle closer.

"So forward, it really catches me by surprise." He teasingly remarked, pulling me into his arms, his fingers teasing my waist.

I squealed in surprise, feigning anger, "What, you don’t like it? If not, I’ll just leave."

I turned to move away, but he extended his long arm and drew me back in.

"I like it... Like it so much it almost takes my breath away." He whispered suggestively in my ear.

Back in our private space, we both allowed ourselves to be freer.

In moments, passion flared, and things escalated quickly.

But suddenly, Daniel stopped, "Lily...." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Hmm?"

"No precautions have been taken here, is that okay?"

I was initially stunned, not understanding, but when I looked at his expression, I suddenly realized.

He doesn’t live here permanently.

It’s also my first time spending the night here.

So naturally, there were no such preparations.

Daniel Carter, seeing that I understood, asked again, "Is that okay?"

"Of course not!" I suddenly snapped back to my senses.

Just because I enjoy his physical charms and the pleasure we share doesn’t mean I want to get pregnant now.

There are still a lot of unresolved conflicts, and our future is entirely uncertain. If a child were to come along now, it would only make our already chaotic situation worse.

Upon regaining my composure, I pushed him away and pulled up the covers to wrap myself tightly.

"It’s late, get some sleep, there’s a lot to do tomorrow."

Daniel froze there, staring at me for a long moment before breaking into an inexplicable smile.

"You really are..."

He couldn’t finish the sentence, but I knew what he meant.

I was the one who was passionate and proactive.

And suddenly, I was the one rejecting it.

Poor him, already all fired up, and now he has to hold it back; it’s rather cruel when you think about it.

"Sorry, I didn’t mean it." I muffled myself with the blanket, leaving only my eyes exposed, and innocently apologized.

He was exasperated, lay down, and muttered through gritted teeth, "I’ll go buy some tomorrow! In bulk!"

"What nonsense are you talking?"

"Who’s talking nonsense? I’m serious."

"..."

Buying contraceptives in bulk, won’t the sales clerk think we’re perverts?

I couldn’t help but chuckle softly, and then he hugged me tightly from behind.

"Sleep, it’s been a hectic few days..." he whispered soothingly by my ear.

I closed my eyes, not once asking him why he hurried back to Carter Manor.

If he doesn’t bring it up, it’s probably not in my favor.

If that’s the case, I won’t ask either, sparing myself the trouble.

In my current life, I enjoy each day as it comes.

Call it turning a blind eye, or self-deception if you must.

It’s all I can do.

————

The result of staying up late was that I slept like a log even when morning came.

So it’s no wonder Daniel likes giving me nicknames.

When I opened my eyes, he was already gone from beside me.

I reached out, but the blanket wasn’t warm anymore, showing he’d been up for a while.

I got dressed and went out to look for him.

After making a round, I found him in the gym, working up a sweat.

"Awake? Why not sleep a bit more?" Daniel saw me and immediately smiled, climbing off the equipment and grabbing a towel to wipe his sweat.

"The sun’s already out, no point in sleeping more." Just as I responded, my phone buzzed in my hand.

I picked it up, and sure enough, trouble was starting.

Shirley Turner.

Ever since I settled them into the hospital, it’s been quiet for about ten days, enough for me to finish the fashion show abroad smoothly.

As soon as I get back, she starts up again.

"Hello..."

"Lily Miller, your dad was taken away by the police, they say to cooperate with an investigation. His condition just stabilized and still needs treatment, do you think the police will lock him up again?"

Shirley Turner sounded anxious, her tone revealing her helplessness.

Yet, I stayed calm.

Before returning to the country, I had called my aunt and learned that the Gordon family scandal was related to Jason Miller, so his being taken for questioning was expected.

"These are matters for the police or the lawyer, why ask me? I don’t know what he’s done either."

As I replied, Daniel Carter, done wiping sweat, walked over, bent down to kiss my cheek, and whispered, "I’m going to take a shower, you go ahead and start breakfast."

I nodded and glanced downstairs in surprise—was breakfast ready?

"Lily Miller, I heard that the trouble with the Gordon family this time was caused by your new boyfriend, Mr. Carter. Is he deliberately targeting the Gordon family to stand up for you? Handling the Gordon family is one thing, but now he’s also implicating your dad! He’s still your biological father, do you really want him dead to feel better?"

Shirley Turner fumed, her accusations coming in a rapid outburst.

I pulled the phone away, so it wasn’t directly against my ear, and replied only after she finished her tirade: "The Gordon family broke the law, and it’s the law that will punish them, it doesn’t matter who exposed them. As for Jason Miller, if he’s in cahoots with the Gordon family, then how he is punished is also a legal matter. Why do you always like to shift the blame, focusing anger on the innocent and misplacing your focus when it’s the culprits who should be scolded and penalized?"

"Lily Miller, you’ve found yourself a backer and now want us to suffer! You tore your own family apart, and now you’re wreaking havoc on the Gordon family too. Such heartlessness will get you karma!"

Karma, huh...

I’ve heard that so many times it’s become background noise.

"Thanks for the warning, I’ve got things to handle, goodbye. Since my dad is not hospitalized anymore, the hospital fees can stop too."

"Lily! You can’t do this, what if your dad..."

I didn’t wait for her to finish before hanging up directly.

On the luxurious dining table were several insulated boxes, and when I opened them, they contained various breakfast items.

I took them out one by one, and just as I finished setting them out, Daniel came downstairs.

"Did you have these delivered this morning?" I asked curiously.

"Yes, this restaurant’s breakfast is quite good, all handmade and fresh, give it a try." He smiled indulgently.

Already starving, I couldn’t care about appearances and sat down to eat immediately.

Daniel asked, "Was that call just now from your stepmother?"

"Yes, she said my disgrace of a father was taken by the police early this morning for questioning. She’s probably worried he’ll be taken back in custody."

I responded while eating breakfast, unfazed by the matter.

In fact, part of me hoped for Jason Miller to be incarcerated again, with a harsher sentence.

Only his death in prison would bring peace to my mom and grandpa’s spirits above.

Daniel said, "I don’t know the specific dealings between him and the Gordon family yet. If you want to know, I can have someone look into it."

"It’s no big deal. If you’re not busy, you can have someone check anyway; I just want to know if any additional charges will apply."

"Alright, I’ll make a call and have them look into it later."

Content with my meal, a moment of silence filled the dining area.

Then I looked at him, considering that since he’s attentive to my affairs, I should also inquire about why he returned to the manor last night.

Seeing me fixated on him, Daniel arched a brow and smiled lightly, "What’s up? Do I have something on my face?"

I ignored his teasing and asked straight to the point, "Was there any trouble when you went home last night?"

His expression turned slightly somber, paused, and then, to my surprise, he said, "There was trouble... Grandpa found out I went abroad with you and was quite displeased, directly saying he doesn’t approve of us being together."

"However, he made it clear that it’s not you personally that he has an issue with, but rather your family background and your entanglement with the Gordon family."

I was surprised that Daniel chose to be so frank.

He looked at me, noticing my momentary daze, and gave a bitter smile: "Grandpa knows I exposed the Gordon family but didn’t say I was wrong since I was upholding fairness and justice. His point is—the Gordon family’s scandal will bring up your past with them again, and alongside our relationship, people in the circle will speculate that I’m siding with you like a hero, which doesn’t sound nice."

"So, Grandpa Carter hopes you want to break up with me?" I asked straightforwardly.

Daniel nodded, "He said it’s for your protection, but I feel that only with me can you be truly safe."