Ch. 721..725
Chapter 721 Everyone around the dance floor had their eyes glued to the scene before them.
Some people could not help but discuss what they were seeing. “Young Master Carter and Ms. Springsteen look so good together. Are they already a couple?”
“| didn’t hear anything about it, but isn’t Young Master Carter married with children?”
“He does have children, but he already divorced his wife long ago.” “But | never heard any news of him and Ms. Springsteen being together.”
“When have you seen Young Master Carter dancing with a woman at these events? There must be something going on between them even if they’re not officially together.”
The background music obscured some of their chatter, so they could not be heard unless one was listening closely. Odell was not interested in anyone’s chatter so he did not listen attentively. He simply wanted to end the dance as soon as possible.
Lily kept the corners of her mouth curved up the whole time, as she smiled at him sweetly.
For the last moment at the end of the dance, they performed a dip in which she leaned her back against Odell’s arm, with one of her legs bent.
Their perfect movements and outstanding appearances immediately sparked a round of applause.
Odell brought Lily back upright and moved to exit the dance floor.
However, just as he had brought Lily’s body upright, he found that her face was right in front of him.
Before he could react, she pecked him on the side of his
lips.
He frowned and let her go immediately.
Before his expression could change, Lily smiled and said, “Young Master Carter, thank you for dancing with me.” Odell recalled that she had grown up overseas where kissing was normal. Therefore, he suppressed his emotions. “There’s no need to say thank you,” he said coldly. Then, he turned and walked away from the dance floor.
Lily's gaze changed and she followed him out.
At that moment, some of the people around the dance
floor were still wide-eyed with shock, while some others turned to look at Odell and Lily teasingly.
They had already kissed in public. What else could it mean other than that they were together?
The event only ended late that night.
Odell walked out of the hotel accompanied by Mr. Crawford and a few business tycoons.
Their cars had been driven to the entrance outside by their respective drivers. The group halted and smiled at Odell.
Mr. Crawford said, “Young Master Carter, be careful on your way back.”
A middle-aged man said, “Young Master Carter, do remember to invite us when you and Ms. Springsteen get married.” Another person added, “That’s right.”
Odell frowned and replied, “Ms. Springsteen and | don’t have the kind of relationship that you are all thinking about.” “Hey, Young Master Carter. We're all acquaintances here. You don’t have to keep it from us.”
“That’s right. Besides, you and Ms. Springsteen are a good match. There’s nothing to hide.”
Odell was about to explain when Lily walked over from the side.
She stood beside him and said while smiling at those people, “Mr. Crawford, Mr. Williams, Mr. Moore, you have all really misunderstood Young Master Carter and me. We're just friends and not what you think.”
Mr. Crawford and the others laughed. “Okay. Whatever you say.” “It's late. We won't disturb you two anymore and we'll take our leave first.”
Before Lily could say anything else, they walked away. Lily looked toward Odell with her brows knitted in a tight frown. “I’m sorry to have caused you trouble again, Young Master Carter.” Her expression was apologetic. Although Odell was unhappy, he would not be that calculative about such things. He replied, “It’s okay. Let's keep a distance from each other in future and the misunderstanding should then clear up.”
Chapter 722
Lily winked and said with a smile, “But what if | don’t want them to clear up the misunderstanding?” Odell’s gaze darkened.
Lily said hastily, “I was just joking. Why are you so serious?”
Odell’s expression was still grim as he said, “I don’t like this kind of joke.”
The moment he finished speaking , he walked to where his car was parked. Lily walked beside him. “Okay. | won’t make these kinds of jokes in the future.” Odell did not give her a reply. Instead, he walked to the car and got in.
“Young Master Carter, do you miss your ex-wife?” Lily suddenly asked.
Odell’s gaze went dark and his whole face turned gloomy.
“No,” he replied.
Lily looked flustered, but after a few seconds, she regained her composure. With a smile, she asked, “Do you have any plans for a second marriage?”
“No.” Odell’s tone was still cold, but it was not as severe as it had been earlier.
Lily did not know whether to feel relieved or be depressed. She said in a resigned tone of voice, “Alright, | won’t disturb you anymore. Goodbye.”
She politely took a few steps back.
The driver closed the door and went back to the driver's seat.
The black MPV soon vanished in the traffic.
Lily's smile disappeared right away as well.
Why was he not intending on marrying again? Did he really not miss that woman anymore?
Half an hour later, the black MVP stopped outside the front door of Odell’s residence.
Odell got down from the car and walked inside.
Sebastian came out to welcome Odell as usual, but he pressed his lips together out of fear after seeing his dark expression. Odell asked him, “Have the children gone to sleep?” Sebastian replied, “They're already asleep.” Odell did not ask further. He took large strides as he went upstairs and went to the children’s bedroom.
There were two beds in the bedroom.
Isabel was not sleeping on her little pink bed. She had climbed onto Liam's bed again.
At this moment, her little chubby face was pressed against Liam's ear with one arm wrapped around him too.
The siblings were sleeping soundly. Odell approached the bed.
Although Isabel was chubbier than Liam, they still looked quite similar. They had inherited their similarities from that woman.
For example, their brows and eyes.
After staring at them for some time, Odell bent over and touched the siblings’ brows and eyes lightly without thinking He only snapped back to his senses after a while.
His expression darkened. Then, he stood up and walked out.
Upon returning to his bedroom, he walked to the balcony, took out a cigarette and lighter, and started smoking.
He soon exhaled the white smoke through his lips.
After some time had passed, there was a pile of cigarette butts around his feet, but the gloominess in his eyes still had not disappeared. How happy of a life was that f*cking woman leading in the outside world that she had not even sent a message to the children?
Bang
The metal cigarette box was crushed by his hands and thrown to the floor.
Odell turned around and went back inside. He retrieved his phone that had been placed on the bed.
There were quite a lot of messages on the phone. They were greetings that had been sent by other people.
On the other hand, his chat history with that woman remained empty. He opened her Instagram profile. Her last post was still dated more than five months ago
She had clearly not blocked him, but why had she not posted anything since then? Why had she not replied to any of his messages?
Chapter 723 Was she dead? Odell’s fingers scrolled the phone screen until he returned to his chat interface with her.
He pressed the voice recording button and said in a deep voice, “Sylvia, this is my last time informing you. If you don’t reply to me with a message by tomorrow, you're no longer Liam and Izzy's mother. Even if you were about to die in the future, don’t even think of meeting them even one more time again!”.
With the release of his finger, the message was sent.
His dark, deep-set eyes stared at the screen.
A day later.
It was late at night when Odell put down the last document that he had gone through and took his phone. The screen only still had the message he sent her last night.
There was still no reply from her. Odell closed his eyes and forcefully suppressed his emotions which had almost become uncontrollable. After a moment, he abruptly stood up and walked outside. Half an hour later, the black MPV stopped outside Lush Heaven. Cliff and Jacob, who were with Odell, had brought about ten bodyguards with them into Lush Heaven. Odell headed straight for the premium private room and sat on the black leather sofa.
There was a sudden sound of a commotion, but not long after, the nightclub went silent.
Amanager who was working there ran in with a bitter look on his face. “Young Master Carter, we're really not lying to you. Ms. Fowler is not here. It’s been a week since she last came here. | heard that she was abducted by her ex-boyfriend. We haven't been able to contact her until now either!”
Odell picked up a wine glass and lazily took a sip of wine.
Cliff, who was standing beside him, glanced at his expression. Then, he said to the manager, “Manager Walker, please think of a way to contact her as soon as possible. If you manage to do so, Young Master Carter will immediately allow your store to be back in business.”
Manager Walker was on the verge of tears.
However, the expression of the man on the seat was intimidatingly grim, so Manager Walker did not dare to
say anything else. He had no choice but to think of a way of contacting Sherry.
The dim private room went silent again. The alcohol on the man’s table very quickly disappeared.
Cliff said softly, “Young Master Carter, it’s very easy to get drunk on this wine. You might want to drink a little less.” Odell picked up the last glass of wine and asked Cliff,“ Have you found out Sherry’s location?”
Cliff quickly replied, “I’ve been investigating it these past few days. | can confirm that she’s indeed not here. | heard that something happened in her family, so they sold her. | think they sold her to the York family.” Cliff studied Odell’s expression and said, “Young Master York and Ms. Fowler had a relationship before. It seemed like their breakup had been rather unpleasant. Now that Young Master York has regained control of the York family’s company, | think Ms. Fowler is likely in his hands now.”
“Is Young Master York in Westchester City now?”
“No. | think Young Master York never returned since he cut ties with the York family a few years ago.” The glass of wine was emptied very quickly.
Odell placed the glass back onto the table. He said in a low voice, “Dismiss the people downstairs.”
“Okay.” Cliff was about to head out after replying. “Wait.”
Cliff halted his steps and looked toward Odell.
Odell was leaning against the sofa. His unhappy gaze was focused on the table.
“Bring more drinks up,” he said.
Cliff did not dare to disobey him. He replied, “Okay.”
Lush Heaven was the nightclub that ranked first not only because of its size and great interior but also the incomparable alcohol that was served there.
The bartenders there were top-class.
Not long after Cliff went downstairs, several waiters brought a few trays of various alcoholic drinks and lined them up on the table in front of Odell.
The man picked each glass up, one after another. Half of them were finished in a blink of an eye.
Cliff saw his cold expression, but did not dare to say anything to stop him. The ringtone from a phone rang out at that moment. When Cliff looked toward the man who was still drinking, Cliff quickly said, “Young Master Carter , your phone is
Chapter 724 Bang!
After the phone fell to the floor, he kicked the table in front of him as well, and caused it to flip.
The wine glasses shattered all over the ground.
Odell remained sitting in the same spot. The anger roiling in his eyes was even scarier than the mess on the floor. Cliff stepped back out of fear. He pressed his lips together, not daring to make a sound.
The man shouted, “Bring more alcohol here!” “Okay!” Cliff replied and ran out hastily.
The dim private room was soon filled with the smell of alcohol.
The man had become so utterly drunk that he did not smash any more phones or flip any tables. Instead, he was playing with a wood-carved tortoise.
He continuously rubbed it in his hands as if he wanted to crush the tortoise to pieces.
Ding
The untimely ringing of a phone rang out in the air again.
Odell raised his gaze and looked over.
Cliff was startled and quickly said, “It's my phone, Young Master Carter. I'll go out to answer the call right now.” Then, he quickly made his way outside. Odell withdrew his gaze and continued fiddling with the tortoise.
After playing with it for a while, his consciousness began to blur from his extreme state of drunkenness. He leaned against the sofa and slept.
On the other hand, Cliff had answered the call.
Unexpectedly, the person who had called him was Lily. “Ms. Springsteen, how may | help you?” Cliff asked politely. Lily asked, “Assistant Bogard, do you know where Young Master Carter is? | don’t know why he’s not picking up my calls.”
Recalling the phone that Odell had smashed to the ground, Cliff said, “Young Master Carter isn’t at the company now, and it’s not inconvenient for him to answer any calls now. Do you have any business with him?”
“| just wanted to greet him. Could you tell me where he is now?”
She was the young miss of the Springsteen family, after all. It would be difficult for Cliff to hide it from her.
Therefore, he answered honestly, “Young Master Carter is at Lush Heaven now. I'll relay your greeting to him when he’s sober.” The night passed and soon it was morning.
In the dim private room.
The man started to regain his consciousness.
In a blur, he found that he was holding a soft hand in the palm of his hand.
The touch of the hand was the same as that woman.
He was startled.
“Sylvia!”
He shouted. At the same time, he strongly pulled that hand into his embrace.
The woman shrieked.
Odell opened his eyes and saw the woman that he had pulled into his arms.
It was not Sylvia but Lily. He immediately became alert. His gaze changed, and he released his grip on her. Lily quickly got up and stepped back.
Her expression changed. Quickly giving him a polite smile, she asked, “I didn’t startle you, right, Young Master Carter?” Odell sat up and glanced at Cliff, who was standing nearby. “Pour a cup of water for me.”
Cliff replied and walked out.
Only then did Odell look toward Lily. “Ms. Springsteen, when did you come here?”
Lily glanced at the time on her watch. Then, she replied with a tired gaze, “I've been here for more than five hours.” Odell frowned.
It was the morning of the next day. Had she come at midnight last night? Odell eyed Lily.
Her clothes were neat, and there were no signs of them being torn.
Cliff had been standing guard, so there was no way Odell would have done something rude in his drunken state.
Odell said, “I’m sorry | startled you just now.” Lily said with a smile, “Young Master Carter had grabbed my hand and held it for a whole night until | couldn’t even pull it back. You should apologize to me, or else I'll
take it to heart.”
She rubbed her left hand as she spoke.
Chapter 725
Odell pressed his lips together. Then, he said, “I’m sorry.”
Lily laughed and said, “If you really want to apologize , then treat me to a meal. I’m a little hungry from sitting here for so long.” At that moment, Cliff brought the glass of warm water that Odell had requested for.
Odell accepted the glass and took a few sips. After that, he instructed Cliff, “Go and book a restaurant. Ms. Springsteen and | will head over there immediately.”
Cliff's expression changed. He could not resist sneaking a glance at Lily. Then, he said, “Okay, Young Master Carter.” Cliff went to carry out his orders.
Odell got up from the sofa. His gaze shifted toward the phone that was still on the ground.
The screen had already shattered.
His gaze darkened.
However, at the same time, Lily picked up the phone and passed it to Odell. She smiled and asked, “Is this your phone, Young Master Carter?”.
“Mm. Thank you.” Odell took the phone from her.
Lily followed him out. She asked again, “Did the phone offend you somehow? Why did you treat it so cruelly?” “It accidentally fell onto the floor.”
His voice was cold, obviously not pleased with her questions, even though she had asked them in a humorous way. “Okay.” Lily laughed. She was tactful and did not ask further questions.
Cliff prepared the car.
Odell and Lily walked out of Lush Heaven and took the car to a breakfast cafe.
The cafe’s environment was nice. It was secluded and elegant. The food there tasted good too.
The moment they entered, Lily chose a seat by the windows.
Odell sat down opposite her.
Both of their movements were elegant as they ate.
After he finished eating, Odell put down his cutlery. He then said to Lily, “I’m sorry for last night. I’m willing to add more funds to the joint project. You can bring up any other requests you have, Ms. Springsteen.”
Lily blinked her eyes. “Will Young Master Carter agree to any request of mine?” “I'll satisfy your requests to the best of my abilities as long as it's within a reasonable range.”
Lily pondered about it. “Well... Can Young Master Carter give me some time? | haven't thought of what | want. I’ll let you know when | think of something, okay?”
Odell replied right away, “Okay.”
After speaking , he got up. “I'll be taking my leave first. Please enjoy your meal, Ms. Springsteen.” Lily said with a smile , “Goodbye, Young Master Carter.”
Odell nodded and walked out.
Only after he got in his car and left did the smile on Lily’s face gradually cooled.
She had taken the opportunity to stuff her hand into Odell’s hand when Cliff had not been paying attention. However, Odell had slept in a proper manner until morning. He had not had any other thoughts. However, he had probably yanked her into his embrace just now in Lush Heaven because he had mistaken her for that lowly woman.
Never mind that. That woman would definitely not be able to return. Besides, Lily's relationship with Odell would most likely improve very soon.
Upon thinking of that, she glanced at a paparazzi hiding behind a pillar.
That paparazzi made an “Ok” sign to her and left with his camera.
A day later.
Odell finished working and returned to his home late at night.
The lights outside of the door were lit. Sebastian came out to greet him as usual.
Odell asked, “Have Liam and Izzy slept?”
Sebastian replied, “They went back to their room after having their dinner. They must be asleep already.” Odell nodded. As usual, he went to their room after entering the house.
The room's lights were off and it was pitch black.
Odell turned on the lights.
Next, he saw Isabel sitting on Liam’s bed. Her hands were folded across her chest and she was staring at him with her big, round eyes.
Liam was not as fierce. He was not staring at Odell. He simply looked at him quietly, but he was not very friendly either. Odell frowned. “Why aren't you asleep at such a late hour?”
Isabel pouted. “Hmph!” Liam said, “We couldn’t sleep.”
They obviously had something to say about Odell.
Odell’s expression turned stern. “Why couldn't you sleep?” Isabel said, “Hmph. You’re already going around with another woman behind our backs. How could we be in the mood to sleep?”