In this life, I wasn’t crippled in a car crash, and my father, Richard Adams, hadn’t been turned into a vegetable by Ethan Carter.
Everything seemed to be turning out beautifully.
After a few blissful days enjoying simple father–daughter time, I took the initiative to ask Richard about meeting the man he had once arranged as a potential match for me.
“Claire, have you truly let go of that Carter boy?”
“Yes.”
Richard arranged the meeting at the most famous fine-dining restaurant in Los Angeles.
I arrived half an hour early and chose a window seat.
I had just sat down when I heard Isabella Moore’s coquettish laughter from the private room next door.
“Ethan, these shrimp are too hard to peel~”
“Here, let me help you.”
Ethan’s voice was more tender than he had ever used with me.
I pretended not to hear, lowering my head to stir my coffee.
Then a shadow fell across my table.
“Miss Adams, I’m Andrew Collins, Mr. Foster’s assistant. Mr. Foster had an urgent matter come up and couldn’t make it, so he sent me to apologize.”
Andrew handed me an exclusive American Express Centurion Card.
“Mr. Foster said this was his mistake. Please accept this card as a token of apology.”
It was a rare unlimited card. Just as I was about to decline, a cold laugh rang out behind me.
“Claire Adams, you followed me here just to put on this little show?”
Ethan was suddenly at the door of the private room, eyes full of ridicule.
Isabella clung to his arm and raised her brows at me in triumph.
“Claire, last time you falsely accused me of putting needles in your shoes. Now what is this—another ploy to drive a wedge between Ethan and me?”
“I’m here on a date, Mr. Carter. You and your lady are overthinking.”
The moment he realized I wasn’t even calling him “Ethan” anymore, his expression darkened.
“To get my attention, you came here for a date? And with an assistant, no less? Don’t make me laugh.”
Andrew quickly spoke up.
“Sir, Mr. Foster was delayed by urgent business. He didn’t stand her up intentionally.”
At that, Ethan finally looked directly at Andrew and recognized the Centurion Card.
Then he yanked my wrist.
“Grandma Carter’s birthday is today. Come back with me now—don’t keep her waiting.”
From the shadow in his eyes, I could almost read it: he didn’t want me on this date.
I pulled my hand free.
“I don’t have time.”
Turning back, I accepted the card from Andrew.
“Please thank Mr. Foster for me. I’ll take this for now and arrange to meet him another day.”
Andrew, delighted that I accepted, offered to drive me home.
Ethan’s face turned even darker.
“Claire Adams! My grandmother adores you and is looking forward to seeing you on her birthday. You really mean to defy me?”
But I truly didn’t want to go.
In my past life, though I had been paralyzed, I still carefully prepared a gift and arrived early. Grandma Carter had demanded justice for me, insisting Ethan break up with Isabella and marry me instead. But Ethan had declared publicly that he would marry Isabella no matter what.
This time, even though I wasn’t crippled, I knew she would almost certainly try again to push Ethan and me together.
If I didn’t go, none of that trouble would happen.
But Ethan gave me no choice, dragging me toward his car.
Not wanting Andrew to see the family drama, I apologized to him:
“Sorry, Andrew. Don’t laugh at us—it’s just my god-brother. I’ll go back with him to celebrate his grandmother’s birthday.”
And so, in the end, I went to the Carter Family Estate.
After all, Grandma Carter truly loved me.
Once we arrived, Ethan hurried to present Isabella to her. Isabella smiled sweetly and handed over an expensive gift.
But Grandma Carter didn’t take it. Instead, she warmly grasped my hand.
“Claire, you’re here! I’ve missed you so much lately.”
Isabella’s hand froze in midair, her sugary smile stiffening on her face.
