Chapter 67 On the Way
Daisy was talking with Shawn when her phone suddenly rang. She looked and saw it was from the lab.
"Hello?"
"Ms. Hart, the batch of data you asked us to test is ready. I've sent it to your email. Please take a look when you have time." Amy's voice carried obvious fatigue.
Daisy acknowledged: "Okay, got it. I'll check it at the lab tomorrow."
After hanging up, she checked the time - it was almost ten o'clock.
"Shawn, I need to go. Something came up at the lab."
Shawn pouted: "Leaving so early? We haven't even had a proper chat yet!"
"Next time." Daisy smiled. "You're the star tonight, enjoy yourself."
Shawn sighed and waved his hand: "Alright, alright. Drive safe. By the way, did you drive here?"
"Yeah."
"Then take it slow, and text me when you get there."
"Will do." Daisy waved, lifted her dress hem, and walked toward the parking lot.
The night was thick. The manor's lights gradually fell behind her, and the surroundings grew quieter.
Daisy got in her car, replied to a few messages, then turned the key to start the engine.
But the damn car seemed determined to give her a hard time. It had been fine on the way here, but now no matter how she turned the key, there was no response at all.
It had just been fixed—how long ago was that? And now it's broken again!
She leaned back against the seat and pressed her temples.
When she moved out from the Blacks, she'd been driving her old car that she'd had for years.
Vincent had mentioned getting her a better one, but she'd refused - mainly because she was afraid of finding some mark Vanessa had left in whatever car he gave her, which would just gross her out.
Now look - this piece of junk broke down every few days, and the repair costs were catching up to the car's value.
She took out her phone, ready to call Shawn to borrow a car.
Just as she dialed one digit, two beams of light suddenly shone through the car window.
A black BMW slowly stopped beside her.
The window rolled down, revealing Vincent's profile.
His hand rested casually on the steering wheel, his gaze looking ahead. He didn't glance at her, just said casually: "Car broke down again?"
Daisy didn't respond.
Vincent waited a moment, then finally turned to look at her: "Need to get back? I'll give you a ride - I'm heading that way anyway."
"Heading that way?" Daisy was confused. Whether it was her current apartment, the lab, or Reed Corporation - none of them were on Vincent's way.
Vincent cleared his throat: "I have business in District A."
Daisy waved her hand. "No need, I'll call someone..."
"At this hour, everyone's still at the party." Vincent interrupted her. "How long do you think you'll have to wait?"
Daisy fell silent.
He had a point. Tonight was the night Shawn was officially named heir. Right now he was probably surrounded by people toasting him - when would he have time to check his phone?
She pushed open her car door, got out, and went to pull open the BMW's back door, but it wouldn't open.
"Sit in front." Vincent said. "I've got stuff in the back."
Daisy's hand paused. She had no choice but to walk around front, open the passenger door, and get in.
The car was quiet, filled with a faint scent of perfume−but not the one he usually wore.
Daisy said nothing, just rolled down the window a crack to let the night breeze in.
Vincent instinctively glanced at her but said nothing, starting the car.
The car left the manor and merged onto the wide road.
The city lights flowed past the window, orange halos sweeping by in clusters.
After a while, Vincent suddenly spoke: "How's the new project going?"
Daisy didn't quite register it at first and turned to look at Vincent.
He was looking straight ahead, his face expressionless−probably just making small talk.
"It's fine." She answered just as casually.
"Running into any problems? Like funding or staffing?"
"No."
Another stretch of silence.
Vincent's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
He knew she was brushing him off.
How could those projects not have any problems? She just didn't want to tell him.
"You looked beautiful tonight." He suddenly said this.
Daisy laughed lightly. "Really? Shawn got someone to do my makeup and styling - it was pretty expensive."
Vincent frowned slightly. "Are you still mad at me?"
"About what?"
"That birthday party..." He paused. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine, I forgot about it ages ago." Daisy smiled brightly. "It wasn't a big deal anyway. I was the one who panicked−thinking back on it now, it's pretty embarrassing."
Not a big deal...
Her daughter's birthday, appearing as Mrs. Black, hosting all those guests—to her, it was already "not a big deal"?
For some reason, Vincent felt a tightness in his chest, very uncomfortable.
The car continued forward, picking up speed.
"Your apartment or the lab?"
"Take me to my apartment first." Daisy said. "I need to change−if I show up at the lab dressed like this, people will think I've lost it."
As they approached Daisy's apartment, Vincent suddenly pulled over.
Daisy turned to look at him.
He looked at her, his expression complicated. "You..."
"What?"
"Nothing. Get some rest."
Daisy felt he still had something to say, but she really wasn't interested in hearing it, so she didn't press. She said politely, "Thanks for the ride. Good night."
With that, she got out of the car, lifted her dress hem, and entered the apartment building.
Vincent sat in the car, watching her figure disappear into the hallway before starting the car again.
A few days later.
Daisy unusually finished work early.
The project was going smoothly, the experimental data was even better than expected, and she was in a good mood, so she treated the lab researchers to dinner.
They chose a restaurant near the company−nice atmosphere, good food.
The group sat around a table, ordering food, drinking, chatting—the atmosphere was relaxed.
Daisy sat at the head of the table, watching these young people laugh and talk, unable to help the smile that curved her lips.
Halfway through the meal, she got up to use the restroom and took the opportunity to pay the bill.
But just as she reached the entrance, she saw Vanessa holding Vincent's arm, with Luna in tow.
Both were wearing loose, casual clothes. Luna was being led by Vanessa, but now ran up in front of them, looking up and saying something. Both of them smiled at the same time, their eyes meeting.
Sunlight streamed through the glass door onto them - it was incredibly warm and cozy.
How nice.
She thought.
Even though Vanessa was destined to end up with Vincent, she was still good to Luna, so she didn't need to worry.
But somehow, something welled up inside her—sour, bitter, really uncomfortable.
She looked away, ready to quietly retreat.
"Mommy!"
Daisy's body stiffened. She hesitantly turned around to see Luna break free from Vanessa's hand and run toward her.
"Mommy! Mommy, it's me, Luna!"
She threw herself into Daisy's arms, her little hands hugging her waist tight.
"Mommy, I missed you so much!"