My First Love Died, Now My Step Uncle Wants Me-Chapter 29: Come Sit Up Front

Alarmed, Nina Wynn shoved him away and frantically scanned her surroundings. She breathed a sigh of relief when she found they were alone.

But she didn’t dare to look at Caleb Rhodes. She kept her head down and stammered in a panic, "Uncle, we’re outside!"

Caleb Rhodes’s gaze fell on Nina Wynn, dressed in the blue and white short skirt of her high school uniform, and the darkness in his eyes deepened.

Seeing her in this outfit, the way she had just stepped timidly out of the shadows, reminded him of the cat she had secretly kept back then. It, too, had looked at him with the same wary eyes.

His eyes flickered, but he decided to let her go for now. He turned and got into the car.

Nina Wynn pulled open the rear door.

Before she could get in, Caleb Rhodes’s hand, resting on the steering wheel, tapped lightly. "Sit up front."

His tone was light, yet left no room for refusal.

Nina Wynn’s hand on the door handle froze. She lowered her gaze and asked in a small voice, "Can I move to the front after we’re away from here?"

This time, Caleb Rhodes didn’t answer.

Silence was consent. Nina Wynn breathed a sigh of relief.

She didn’t want to be involved with Caleb Rhodes in any way, and she certainly didn’t want anyone to know there was anything between them. They were from two different worlds and were never meant to cross paths. He might find it amusing to toy with her now, but sooner or later, he would return to his own world.

She curled up in the back seat, making herself as small as possible, trying to disappear.

As they drove through the main gate, she buried her head in her skirt, praying the guard wouldn’t see her.

This time, the heavens seemed to hear her prayer. The moment the guard saw Caleb Rhodes behind the wheel, he held his breath and hastily opened the gate, letting the car pass.

They hadn’t gone far before Caleb Rhodes pulled the car over to the side of the road.

Under the shade of the trees, the light was dim. Nina Wynn sat in the passenger seat with her gaze lowered, her pale, soft hand clenched into a fist.

Caleb Rhodes’s gaze swept over the back of her hand, landing on a bandage. A trace of blood seemed to be seeping from its edge.

As if sensing his gaze, Nina Wynn subconsciously hid her hand behind her back.

The dappled shadows of the trees flickered outside, but inside the car, the air was charged and oppressive. Nina Wynn felt she could barely breathe.

’She had no idea what Caleb Rhodes wanted now. He clearly had so many servants, yet he insisted on ordering *her* around.’

’Countless women would throw themselves at him with a mere beckon of his finger, yet he insisted on getting his kicks from her.’

’Is bullying me really that fun?’

’Or were all the members of the Rhodes Family just like Crystal Rhodes—born to be bad seeds?’

She couldn’t resist turning sideways to look at him.

His profile was stunning, his features as sharp and smooth as if carved from stone.

An inexplicable panic seized her. Just as she was about to turn away, he suddenly looked over.

She crashed right into his dark, cold eyes. They were like powerful magnets, pulling her in, making her feel as if she were plummeting into their depths.

Her heart hammered against her ribs as an unprecedented wave of panic washed over her. This was different from her usual fear. This time, her entire being recoiled, and a deep chill shot up her spine.

After a few seconds, she turned away, flustered.

But unexpectedly, Caleb Rhodes cupped the back of her head, lowered his face, and took the small mole above her lip between his.

Nina Wynn was so frightened her body went rigid. She was rooted to the spot as if caught in a spell, unable to move a muscle.

Fortunately, Caleb Rhodes only nibbled a few times before letting her go.

The car started moving again. Nina Wynn didn’t come back to her senses until they had driven into the Central District.

’He’s taking me to his place... what does he want to do? Does he plan to humiliate and torment me again, just like he did a moment ago?’

The thought filled her with an impulsive urge to jump out of the car and run. Her hand moved unconsciously toward the door handle.

As if reading her mind, Caleb Rhodes suddenly pressed a button. With a sharp CLICK, the doors locked.

Nina’s palms grew sweaty with anxiety. She didn’t dare to speak or look up. A sense of shame washed over her at having her intentions exposed.

The atmosphere in the car grew even more suffocating. Every second was agony.

Thankfully, it wasn’t long before the car pulled into a private courtyard residence.

It was just a small street away from the central plaza, in a part of the city where every inch of land was worth a fortune. The residence had to be at least three or four hundred square meters. Once again, the wealth of the Rhodes Family shattered Nina Wynn’s perception of reality.

The courtyard was decorated in a classic, unadorned style. In the center stood a massive Chinese parasol tree, so large it would take three or four people to wrap their arms around its trunk. Its branches spread out like a canopy, filtering the light and dappling the entire yard in shifting shadows, lending it a unique beauty.

Nina Wynn stood under the tree, watching Caleb Rhodes’s back, unsure if she should follow him inside.

He paused, sensing that she hadn’t followed. "Do I need to carry you inside?"

He didn’t turn around, his voice as cold as ice.

Nina Wynn bit her lip and had no choice but to follow him.

The moment she stepped inside, Nina Wynn knew this had to be Caleb Rhodes’s primary residence.

His personal style was unmistakable. The furniture was minimalist yet refined, understated but exuding an air of nobility. Each piece glowed with a faint, pearlescent sheen, reflecting the man himself—aloof, refined, and cold.

Warner Zimmerman stood by the door. He bowed to Caleb Rhodes, his face as expressionless as ever, and said, "Young Master."

Caleb Rhodes asked coolly, "Is supper ready?"

"It is ready. And Miss Wynn’s room has been prepared."

Caleb Rhodes nodded. "Clear out a space in the walk-in closet for her, and stock it with toiletries. Use my usual brands. Also, have my tailor come over tomorrow."

"Yes, Young Master," Warner Zimmerman replied respectfully.

Caleb Rhodes added, "And have the representatives from those clothing brands come by tomorrow as well. Tell them to bring their latest seasonal collections, all in Nina Wynn’s size. I will be making the selections."

Nina Wynn’s heart leaped in alarm. She shot her head up. "Uncle..."

’What did he mean by all this? A room, a walk-in closet, custom-made clothes... Did he expect her to live here?’

’No, absolutely not!’

’Besides, tomorrow is the anniversary of Evan Chapman’s death. I have to be there!’

At that thought, she mustered her courage, stepped forward, and tugged on Caleb Rhodes’s sleeve. "Uncle, this place is too far from my school..."

Caleb Rhodes didn’t answer. He simply grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her into the dining room.

The dining room wasn’t particularly large. It was clearly for everyday use, not designed for entertaining guests.

The design of the dining table was also minimalist and austere, a perfect match for Caleb Rhodes’s disposition.

Several home-style dishes were already laid out on the table.

They looked and smelled wonderful, and it was obvious they had been cooked until perfectly tender—ideal for someone with a sensitive stomach.

Nina Wynn’s eyes fixed on a small bowl of sweet osmanthus egg drop soup placed at the edge of the table, and she lightly licked her lips.

Although she was starving, and the food was so delicious she wanted to swallow her tongue, Nina Wynn only dared to take small, delicate bites with Caleb Rhodes sitting right beside her.

The chicken in the braised potato and chicken dish was succulent, and the potatoes were fluffy and tender. It was perfectly seasoned without a hint of chili.

The green peas in the stir-fry with diced pork were unbelievably fragrant, smooth, and tender.

The steamed egg custard was simply divine. Nina Wynn adored the hint of rich umami from the premium soy sauce added to it.

As for the bowl of sweet osmanthus egg drop soup, she couldn’t bear to finish it all at once.

After so many days in the hospital eating nothing but bland congee, she had been craving flavorful food. As luck would have it, these were all her favorite dishes. Despite her best efforts at restraint, she ended up eating more than she intended.

She ate delicately, her cheeks puffing out slightly as she chewed, which made her look rather cute.

Caleb Rhodes watched her for a moment, the darkness in his eyes deepening.

He raised his hand, and his slightly rough fingers pressed against her soft lips.