Chapter 397: Chapter 397: Do You Blame Me For Placing People Around You?
When Daniel thought about what Caitlin confessed during interrogation that she had secretly abused Stephanie several times, his face darkened.
Stephanie was his precious daughter, the one he cherished most, yet she had suffered such abuse.
Russell and Philip noticed Daniel’s shifting expressions. He had looked happy a moment ago, and now he looked furious. They thought the virus must have gotten into his head.
"Stop!" Chantelle, who had just woken up, suddenly shouted.
Daniel immediately stopped the car and asked, "What’s wrong?"
Chantelle pulled back her eyes from the window and said, "I saw my friend. I’ll go say hello. You all go back first."
With that, she got out of the car quickly.
Daniel was about to follow, but just as he unbuckled his seat belt, Russell said, "Mr. Wilson, you’d better not go."
"Why?" Daniel frowned when he looked out and saw that Chantelle had already disappeared into the crowd. He glared at Russell.
"It’s just an old friend. Ms. Chantelle will come back after chatting. If you follow her, she’ll only get upset," Russell explained calmly, unafraid of Daniel’s reaction.
"I saw it too. It’s a woman. Don’t worry about Chantie. You need to give her some privacy." Philip had glanced outside just moments ago and noticed Chantelle holding hands with a woman.
The woman was middle-aged. She looked back at Chantelle in surprise before smiling, and their relationship seemed close.
If Daniel followed and stayed coldly by Chantelle’s side, he would disturb her reunion with her friend, and that might make Chantelle angry.
Daniel stared in the direction where Chantelle had disappeared for a while without saying any words. Then he started the engine and drove away.
Chantelle walked into an elegant coffee shop with the woman. In a private room, the woman ordered a glass of chocolate milk for her.
Chocolate milk? She treats me like a child.
Chantelle couldn’t help but smile. "Mrs. Tucker, let me try your cappuccino too."
"Your body went through a lot back then. These things aren’t good for you." Ciara Tucker shook her head and firmly shielded her coffee cup.
Ciara had a round face. She didn’t look old at all. Even though she was nearly fifty, she still looked like she was in her thirties. The way she acted carried a touch of childish delicacy.
Chantelle could tell Ciara was living a happy life.
"I’ve recovered long ago. You don’t let me eat sweet food, but you can’t control yourself either." Chantelle knew Ciara had mild hyperglycemia, but she still craved sweets, and no one could stop her.
Ciara looked embarrassed when she heard that. She glared at Chantelle. "I’ve lived this long and worked hard all my life. If I can’t eat or do anything, then life is boring."
"Okay, you always have a reason. I know you care about me. I’ll listen to you, but please listen to me too. Eat fewer sweets, okay? Let me take this cake back home for my children." Just as Chantelle was still talking, the waiter came with several plates of cakes that looked incredibly sweet.
Ciara had lived in Carcosa since she was twenty and had long been used to the food here. Not only did she accept these sweets, but she loved them.
Chantelle didn’t wait for Ciara’s answer and asked the waiter to pack up the cakes.
Although Ciara looked unhappy, she didn’t say anything to stop her.
"You said you’re in good health. Then why do you look much thinner than before you returned to Easthan? You kept those secrets from me, but I knew everything."
Chantelle’s heart suddenly felt warm when she looked into Ciara’s clear eyes.
Six years ago, Ciara had rescued Chantelle by chance and even found her a master to teach her skills. She also sent people to help her with business. It was no exaggeration to say Ciara was like a reborn mother to her.
Chantelle wanted to repay her, but Ciara was open-minded. She said that if Chantelle really wanted to repay her kindness, then she should take over all her businesses, since Ciara was growing impatient with them.
Chantelle managed the businesses for a while. With little experience and limited ability, she was afraid of ruining them, so she acted cautiously and avoided risks. Ciara felt Chantelle wasn’t suited for that field, so she took back most of the businesses and found others to run them. She only left Chantelle in charge of companies related to charity, fashion, film, and television.
Ciara never returned to being the head of these companies. Instead, she became a free woman, traveling around the world and staying wherever she pleased for as long as she liked.
All in all, her days were full of joy.
Chantelle knew Ciara was married and had a husband, but no children. Ciara often said she was fated to meet Chantelle and treated her like her own child. Chantelle had only met Ciara’s husband a few times. He was elegant and a perfect match for her.
Now that Ciara had suddenly appeared here, Chantelle thought she had returned because of her. When she heard what Ciara said, she was sure, and that was why her heart felt warm.
"Calvin and Russell are with me. No wonder you knew everything," Chantelle said, pretending to be petulant.
Ciara gave her a glance. "Do you blame me for placing people around you?"
"I just don’t understand. You always say someone else saved me. Calvin and Russell were his people, but you never told me who he was. I only believe it was you who saved me back then."
"You’re wrong to think like that. He has his reasons for not seeing you. But you have to remember, no one in this world can treat you better than he does. He asked me to come see you in a hurry this time."
Ciara said it casually. She had told Chantelle about that man more than once, but Chantelle never believed it unless she saw him herself. He had his reasons for refusing to meet Chantelle, and Ciara acted as the intermediary. Every time she saw the grateful look in Chantelle’s eyes, Ciara felt restless.
"Did he ask you to come and check if I’m safe? Why didn’t you ask Calvin?" Chantelle asked.
Ciara noticed that Chantelle was no longer upset about what had happened just now. She felt relieved and explained, "I was supposed to help you a few days ago, but my husband fell ill, so I was delayed. Luckily, you’re fine. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to explain it to him."
"How is Mr. Tucker?" Chantelle was startled, and the image of that elegant man suddenly appeared in her mind.
If something happened to him, it would be a heavy blow to Ciara.
"He has a stomach illness. It’s an old problem. He’s in the hospital receiving treatment now." Ciara spoke lightly, but the worry in her eyes was clear.
"I’ll take the kids to see him," Chantelle said carefully.