My First Love Died, Now My Step Uncle Wants Me-Chapter 55: When to Get Engaged?

The two Rhodes brothers were both handsome. Leo Rhodes, now in his forties, had cultivated a steady, reserved aura from his years in the circles of power. He had a natural air of authority when he spoke that commanded respect.

Caleb Rhodes was, of course, even more handsome. Cold, aloof, and aristocratic, he carried the sharp aura of a man in charge—something exceptionally rare for his age.

Based on looks alone, the two brothers were clearly extraordinary men.

They weren’t far, and by standing still and concentrating, she could overhear their conversation.

Leo Rhodes’s voice was steady. "Finn Prescott conducts himself well. He’s quite a figure among the younger generation, and he’s not bad-looking either. He and Crystal would make a good match. What do you think?"

Caleb Rhodes’s voice was as cold and detached as ever. "All that matters is that Crystal likes him."

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to the glass room, his eyes lingering on the narrow gap between the slightly parted curtains.

Leo Rhodes seemed dissatisfied with his brother’s answer. He frowned and said, "The Prescott family may be strong in business and have some connections, and their record is clean, but at the end of the day, they’re just merchants. They won’t be much help to the Rhodes family’s political ambitions."

Caleb Rhodes stared, unmoving, at the glass room. His voice was flat. "Brother, do you really think there’s any more room for us to rise politically? This is as far as we go. Do you really expect to reach the very top?"

"You’re right," Leo Rhodes said with a hint of regret. "I’m afraid it’s impossible for us to climb any higher."

Just then, Lana Shaw interjected, "It seems to me that Crystal really likes Finn Prescott. She’s been over at the Prescott estate every day for the past two months. You know how young people are... sometimes they can’t control themselves. We should arrange the engagement sooner rather than later. It would be a huge embarrassment for the Rhodes family if she got pregnant out of wedlock."

The words were barely out of her mouth when Leo Rhodes shot back, displeased, "What are you talking about? My daughter would never do something like that."

Lana Shaw didn’t dare say another word. She looked down and pretended to busy herself with peeling a piece of fruit.

Caleb Rhodes, however, glanced at her, a hint of frost in his eyes. "I hear you’re having a son, Sister-in-law. You can tell already, at just three months?"

Lana Shaw immediately seemed to regain her confidence. She rested a hand on her belly and smiled. "Technology is so advanced these days. You can find out the sex at just two months."

Caleb glanced at the glass room, then suddenly added, "Speaking of which, I haven’t seen your niece in a while. Has she graduated and found a job?"

Lana Shaw was completely caught off guard by Caleb’s sudden mention of Nina Wynn. She froze for a second, her expression souring before she forced a smile. "That girl only comes home every few months. Now that she has a job, she visits even less, of course."

Caleb seemed unusually talkative tonight. "Where is she working? My company’s hiring. She should come and apply."

Lana Shaw’s heart began to pound. She was already terrified of her temperamental, unpredictable brother-in-law. For him to suddenly ask about her niece—who had been missing for two months—left her completely bewildered. She could only stammer, "She’s just a simple girl. Any job will do for her. Marrying into a good family is more important than anything."

Caleb snorted, his voice turning even colder. "The Rhodes family doesn’t favor sons over daughters. Position is earned through ability."

Lana Shaw’s face went pale. Just as she was about to explain, Leo Rhodes snapped at her, "That’s enough. If you can’t say anything right, then don’t say anything at all."

Lana Shaw’s face grew even more strained, but she didn’t dare to argue. She just pretended to fiddle with her phone.

Nina watched her for a moment. Just as she was about to let the curtain fall, she heard Leo Rhodes say, "Caleb, look at this. Your own niece is getting engaged. What on earth is going on with you and Rosalind Lowell? You’ve been dragging your feet for a decade now. You grew up together, you were so close, and she saved your life when you were a child. Where else are you going to find that kind of bond?"

Nina’s hand froze. She stopped pulling the curtain closed.

"Our families have been friends for generations; we know everything about each other. I know you two had a falling out, but that was three years ago. You should be over it by now. It’s time to pick a date and make it official."

As he spoke, Leo Rhodes glanced pointedly toward the glass room, his voice rising slightly. "If you like keeping a pet on the side, that’s fine. It’s just a bit of money, and I understand that young men need to have their fun. But the person who stands by your side can’t be just any piece of trash. Not just anyone can marry into the Rhodes family."

Caleb’s expression shifted. His voice seemed to drop a few more degrees. "I will handle my own affairs. You should focus on yours, Brother."

With that, he stood up. "It’s late. You should head back and rest, Brother. I’m turning in as well."

Leo Rhodes frowned, about to say more, but Lana Shaw tugged on his sleeve. "Caleb is busy. Let’s go for now. We’re family; we can talk anytime. The two of you shouldn’t let some unworthy person come between you."

Leo Rhodes looked displeased, but he left with Lana Shaw anyway.

Once they were gone, Crystal immediately ran to Caleb’s side, shaking his arm and wheedling, "Uncle, I need to ask you for a favor. You have to help me."

Caleb frowned. "If there’s something you want, buy it yourself. I haven’t had time to take you shopping lately."

Crystal pouted, complaining, "You’ve been like a different person since you came back, Uncle. I’ve only seen you two or three times. You’re so mean."

Her voice was soft and sweet as she wrapped her arms around Caleb’s neck from behind. "Uncle, you used to spoil me and Weston the most. Did you get a new favorite puppy while you were away? You’re ignoring Weston *and* me. I’m jealous."

Caleb sounded a bit exasperated as he pushed her head away. "Mind your manners! What do you mean, a ’new puppy’? Did I not get you a gift? That car last month cost over seven million. Which puppy did I buy that for?"

Crystal whined, "You’re impossible, Uncle! The favor I need isn’t about buying things. It’s for a friend of mine, her surname is Qiao, the daughter from the family that owns Reboot Technologies. I don’t know who her family offended, but they’re being blacklisted across all industries, their stock has plummeted, and all these shady people are showing up and making trouble for them..."

"Crystal!" Caleb’s voice turned icy. "This is not your business!"

Crystal was shocked that Caleb would shut her down without even hearing the whole story. She felt deeply wronged. "But Uncle, she’s my best friend! Her life is miserable right now. If I don’t help her, nobody will..."

"That’s enough. Go home now. And don’t ever come to me with things like this again!" Caleb was clearly impatient.

Crystal was stunned. As far as she could remember, Caleb had never spoken to her so harshly. Having never been treated this way, the pampered young lady burst into tears.

And she sobbed her heart out.

Caleb’s brow furrowed, and he had no choice but to offer a few words of comfort. His voice was too low for Nina to hear what he was saying, so she finally let the curtain fall and lay back down on the bed.

The night sky was clear and brilliant, each star as smooth and luminous as jade, like the eyes of someone long gone.

’Why? Why do those people get to live on, to look up at this same night sky?’

’While he... he died at seventeen, maybe eighteen, and can never look upon this world again!’