My First Love Died, Now My Step Uncle Wants Me-Chapter 34: You Have to Live Here From Now On

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: You Have to Live Here From Now On

After a moment, Caleb Rhodes emerged from the bedroom.

Willson Lawson had already been waiting for nearly half an hour.

He held a USB drive, which he placed on the coffee table. "This is the surveillance footage I just copied. I’ve already watched it. The people who kicked the chair are friends of Crystal Rhodes. The video ends right after Miss Wynn leaves the main hall. The cameras in the main residential building’s area are on a seven-day loop. It was just past midnight when I went to check, so the footage has already been overwritten."

Caleb Rhodes’s expression was chilling. He projected the contents of the USB drive onto the television.

He watched as, shortly after his departure, Nina Wynn’s chair was maliciously kicked out from under her by Crystal Rhodes’s friends. As Nina fell to the floor, the two girls doused her with their drinks, leaving her in a miserable state.

Meanwhile, Lana Shaw, Nina Wynn’s own aunt, apparently found the scene deeply embarrassing. She simply helped Nina to her feet, muttered a few words, and then had her leave.

He saw clearly that the back of Nina Wynn’s hand was uninjured when she left.

The rest of the footage showed the Rhodes Family dinner, with people constantly coming and going. Half an hour later, he himself appeared in the frame.

He hit pause, coldly pointing to the two girls beside Crystal Rhodes. "Who are they?"

Willson Lawson peered at the screen and identified the two girls. "The one on the left is Peter Lawson’s granddaughter, Ivy Lawson. The one on the right is the heiress of the Reboot Technology Group, I think her name is Chloe Joyce. Both are good friends of Crystal Rhodes; they’ve known each other since they were children."

"Run a background check on them."

Caleb Rhodes’s gaze was glacial, and the malice swirling within it sent a chill down Willson Lawson’s spine.

He had followed Caleb Rhodes for many years and knew his temperament well. The man’s methods were ruthless, his mind was exceptionally sharp, and his calmness was terrifying. That was how he had accomplished so much before the age of thirty. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The last time Caleb Rhodes had worn such an expression was several years ago, just after he’d moved to Aridia. A competitor’s underhanded tactics had nearly driven his newly established company into the ground.

Willson Lawson clearly recalled how, in less than a year, Caleb Rhodes had completely dismantled that rival’s company. The man and his family of five had then leaped from the tallest building on The Bullion Exchange.

And that had been a major corporation, a powerhouse on The Bullion Exchange in its day.

’But this isn’t Aridia,’ Willson Lawson thought. ’Things are different here; you have to consider local politics and relationships.’ After a moment’s hesitation, he said, "Third Lord Master, Reboot Technologies is one thing. No matter how big they are, they’re just merchants. But Peter Lawson is different. Although his rank was a bit lower than the Old Master’s, he was still one of his men—a comrade-in-arms. This could be difficult to handle."

Expressionless, Caleb Rhodes switched off the television. His voice was frigid. "Willson, from now on, I don’t intend to repeat myself. If you’re not up to the task, you can get the hell out now."

With that, he turned and went back into the bedroom.

Resigned, Willson Lawson looked to the butler, who stated impassively, "Just do as he says."

The next day, it was already bright daylight when Nina Wynn woke up.

She sat up and stared blankly for a long moment at the sunlight streaming through a gap in the curtains.

It took her two groggy minutes to realize this wasn’t where she lived, nor was it the small room from the day before.

The bedroom was vast, the decor simple yet refined. Even the curtains exuded a certain cold austerity.

Nina Wynn’s heart leaped into her throat. ’This is Caleb Rhodes’s room!!!’

She shifted her arm, and her hand accidentally brushed the space beside her. It was still warm.

Moreover, the sheet in that spot was rumpled, with the faint indentation of a human form.

Her mind went completely blank. All thought ceased.

’I actually slept in Caleb Rhodes’s bed for an entire night. And I slept soundly, comfortably—it was arguably the best sleep I’ve had in years. My usual insomnia didn’t even flare up!’

She tugged at her hair, trying to convince herself it was all a dream, but the sharp sting of pain confirmed it was not.

Filled with panic and regret, she sat frozen for a long time before she could gather her wits.

Then she noticed a perfectly pressed dress laid out beside the bed.

Its color and style were very similar to the one Caleb Rhodes had sent her a few days prior.

She had no choice. She certainly couldn’t leave as she was, so she got up and changed into it.

After changing her clothes, she tidied the bed, doing her best to smooth the sheets perfectly flat, and then pulled open the curtains.

Outside the window was a vast garden of stunningly beautiful white roses, blooming with a shy delicacy in the morning light. The sight was breathtaking.

’No wonder the room smelled of roses,’ she thought. ’It was because of this magnificent garden of white roses right outside.’

Just then, a few knocks sounded at the bedroom door. It was the butler. "Miss Wynn, if you’re awake, you can come out for breakfast."

As she stepped out, she discreetly scanned the living room. Seeing that Caleb Rhodes was gone, she couldn’t help but sigh in relief.

The butler seemed to understand her thoughts. He said impassively, "The Young Master has gone to the office. He likely won’t be back until after ten o’clock. You may eat breakfast first, then feel free to walk around and get familiar with the property. A tailor will be here after ten to take your measurements."

Nina Wynn bit her lip and asked in a low voice, "Butler Zimmerman, does my uncle mean... that I’m to live here from now on?"

The butler’s voice was devoid of inflection. "Theoretically, yes. Miss Wynn, breakfast is in the dining room. Please let me know if there is anything not to your liking."

With that, he turned to continue tidying the house, and fell silent.

Nina Wynn had no other choice but to head to the dining room.

A Chinese-style breakfast was laid out: two kinds of congee, several exquisite side dishes, and even her favorites—steamed egg custard and crystal shrimp and corn dumplings.

Having learned her lesson from the previous night, Nina Wynn didn’t dare eat too much. She stopped when she was only half-full and set down her chopsticks.

The butler immediately brought over a bowl of herbal medicine and set it beside her. "Drink this in half an hour."

Nina Wynn stood up and glanced outside. "I’m going for a walk. I’ll drink it when I get back."

Thankfully, her purse was on the sofa. Nina Wynn slung it over her shoulder and made to leave.

The butler followed her. "Miss Wynn, you need to drink your medicine in half an hour. And remember, the Young Master will be home by ten o’clock at the latest."

Nina Wynn lowered her eyes, her expression meek and docile. "Okay. I’ll be back on time."

Half an hour later, Nina Wynn had arrived at the Eleventh People’s Hospital.

Hugh Chapman was getting antsy from waiting. He tugged on her arm, whining playfully, "Sis, you used to come for me at eight o’clock. How come you’re only here at nine today?"

The young man was eighteen or nineteen, and despite his chronic illness, he had shot up in height. He was now a good half a head taller than Nina. He was leaning most of his weight on her, almost knocking her off balance.

She reached up to ruffle his hair, laughing. "Get off, you’re going to make me fall over."

Hugh Chapman rested his head on her shoulder and whispered, "Sis, you haven’t visited in a week. It used to be three days at most, but this time it’s been a full seven. If today wasn’t the anniversary of my brother’s death, you probably would’ve forgotten all about me, right?"

Nina Wynn pushed his head off her shoulder. "Come on, let’s go. It’s still an hour’s trip from here."