Chapter 298: Chapter 298: I Hold Grudges
It took a full eight hours to fly from Los Angeles back to Banyan City.
Daisy Ginger was taken to the United States alone, but on the way back, she had Charlotte Smith with her.
In a familiar place, a familiar city, her territory, as soon as she got off the plane, Daisy Ginger relaxed, and as she relaxed, the pressure and fatigue of the past half month surged forth.
Returning home by car all the way, Daisy Ginger practically opened the door with her eyes closed and collapsed onto the sofa, falling into a deep sleep.
She slept for a full eight hours, and when she woke up, the sky outside the window was dim, and it was already four in the afternoon.
She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling in a daze for a while before realizing that she had been carried to the bed by someone.
Who else in this house could carry her to bed? Who else but Charlotte Smith?
Thinking of Charlotte Smith, Daisy Ginger suddenly sat up from the bed.
"Miss Ginger," as soon as she thought of her, there she was, appearing at the doorway with a gentle smile, wearing their kitchen apron, and said softly, "There’s not much at home. I cooked some noodles, would you like to try them?"
Charlotte Smith had a beautiful face devoid of any aggression, attractive to both men and women, especially now, standing there with the demeanor of a virtuous wife and good mother. Even though Daisy knew her presence wasn’t entirely beneficial, she couldn’t muster any anger towards her.
Feeling a bit lazy from her sleep and not having changed her clothes upon return, Daisy Ginger lay on the bed, now dressed in clean, soft pajamas, her makeup removed, and even some skincare applied, the weariness of travel undetectable.
Running a hand through her hair, she found it increasingly difficult to be angry with this woman or even speak to her civilly, so she coldly snorted, "Get out. I’m going to take a shower."
Charlotte Smith nodded compliantly, "Then I’ll bring the noodles up for you."
Just as Daisy was about to get out of bed, she frowned at the suggestion and said, "No need. I’ll eat downstairs."
She didn’t really intend to treat a decent girl like a servant.
After all, she wasn’t paying her wages.
*
Daisy Ginger went to the bathroom and took a hot shower.
It was as if she wanted to wash away everything she brought back from the United States, she stayed in there for an entire hour.
Wrapped in a towel, Daisy sat on the bed, pulled out a pack of cigarettes from the bedside, and in the dim light, she spaced out for a while.
Returning to a familiar place, the dense pain within her body, which seemed to have been held back, all surfaced clearly, like countless small needles relentlessly poking her heart—not very painful, yet impossible to ignore.
Overnight, the meaning of her existence was completely overturned; these past eight years were nothing less than a joke.
"Miss Ginger," Charlotte Smith knocked on the door again, "Are you going to eat?"
Daisy Ginger stubbed out the cigarette, stood up from the bed, and said hoarsely, "Yes."
*
The noodles cooked an hour ago had already clumped together. When Daisy came down, Charlotte made another bowl for her.
There wasn’t much left at home. Being away for half a month, the food stored in the fridge had long gone bad.
Only eggs and noodles were still edible.
In the dining room, the two of them each held a bowl of noodles, eating quietly.
Daisy Ginger found the noodles tasteless, and couldn’t discern any craftsmanship; after a few sips of broth, she put down her chopsticks.
She looked at Charlotte Smith, who was earnestly eating her dinner across from her.
Noticing her gaze, the woman lifted her small face and looked at her gently: "Miss Ginger, is there something you want to discuss?"
Leaning lazily against the backrest, Daisy asked, "How long do you plan to stay here?"
"Until my husband calls me back."
Daisy Ginger: "You have a student-teacher relationship with Robert Stephens?"
Charlotte Smith lowered her head, took a slow bite of noodles, and said, "He’s my fiancé."
"..." Now it was Daisy’s turn to be surprised. "Hmm? I remember, you were once Edward’s fiancée. The Stephens family really lacks principles, sharing even women?"
The words were rude, and Charlotte Smith just kept her head down, eating slowly without responding.
Daisy Ginger leaned back, crossed her legs, and scrutinized Charlotte Smith’s face.
"...So, do you still like Edward Stephens?"
"..."
"How about this?" Daisy propped her chin and watched her with a smile, "Help me get a divorce from him, and I’ll help you tie the knot with him."
Charlotte Smith abruptly lifted her head, a flicker of anger finally appearing in her usually calm eyes, but it dissipated quickly as she suppressed it once more.
Daisy Ginger smiled faintly, meeting her gaze, "I thought nothing could make you angry."
"Miss Ginger," Charlotte Smith’s voice carried a hint of stiffness as she said to Daisy, "Please don’t insult me like this."
Daisy smiled slightly, "When you all gang up on me, how is that not an insult?"
Charlotte Smith: "I’ve always advised you to divorce the Second Young Master as soon as possible, but Miss Ginger refused to listen. I’ve never wanted to harm you; everything I’ve done was just to minimize the damage."
Daisy Ginger looked at her with a clear smile and said, "I’m the kind of person who harbors many flaws, not only am I stubborn, but I also hold grudges."
"..."
"When I was in elementary school, a boy classmate of mine stole an eraser from me, and I beat him up in an alley. Do you know what he said to me while begging for mercy? He said he liked me, that’s why he stole from me."
Charlotte Smith pursed her lips without speaking.
"I’m telling you in advance. You better not let me find out anything you’ve done behind my back. No matter what excuses you give, I’ll break your legs." Daisy put down her chopsticks, her expression turning cold, "Similarly, no matter if you’re here to spy on me or something else, if you dare lay a hand on my friend, even if you’re Robert Stephens’ wife, I’ll fight back."
Even if it meant paying a heavy price, at least she would have avenged herself.
Charlotte Smith also understood the madness and obsession in Daisy’s words; she appeared calm, but emotionally, she was on the brink of collapse.
The Stephens family had indeed done some unforgivable things to her, and in this matter, Daisy was the most innocent of them all.
The only mistake was that Edward Stephens wouldn’t relent with her, which is why Robert Stephens saw her as a thorn in his side.
"Before the master gives me instructions, I won’t take any action," Charlotte Smith said softly.
Daisy snorted coldly, saying nothing more, and stood up from her seat, pushing the chair back as she left.
Charlotte sat in the chair for a moment before standing up to tidy the table. She walked out of the kitchen and into the bedroom, where she saw a men’s coat belonging to Edward Stephens draped over the back of the sofa.
She walked over slowly, picked up the coat, and looked at it for a long time with her head lowered.