Chapter 267 Daniel's Good News Approaching?
"This is part of the antidote. After the engagement, I'll give you the other part."
Zoey pulled an antidote pill from her bag and handed it to Mason.
Mason's face darkened immediately. "What's that supposed to mean? Going back on your word? Or are you planning to use this poison to control me forever? First you want me to agree to the engagement, and next you'll probably want the Smith family's assets too. Zoey, I was the head of the Smith family after all. You really think you can control me like this!"
Noticing Mason's genuine anger, Zoey's attitude softened from her initial arrogance.
The main reason was that she genuinely wanted to marry Daniel. Mason would be her future grandfather, so she couldn't really offend him too badly.
"Mr. Smith, it's just my little worry. I'm always afraid it's all a dream. It's not that I don't trust you, Mr. Smith. I just need Daniel to cooperate, you know? Don't worry, I'll definitely give you the other half on the engagement day. Right now, you can only choose to trust me, can't you? If I don't keep my word, you can always back out then!"
Zoey spoke with complete confidence.
Even though Mason knew she might be telling the truth, he still felt annoyed.
However, this was all part of making the act convincing, so he nodded reluctantly. "I'll trust you this time."
"Thank you, Mr. Smith!"
Zoey beamed with joy.
"Grandpa... Zoey, you're here too? What's making you so happy? Tell me so I can be happy too!"
Veda came to see Mason and "happened" to run into Zoey. Seeing her so happy, she immediately went over.
Though she was willful and somewhat domineering, she genuinely liked Zoey.
She had heard Zoey was here, so she rushed over under the pretense of visiting Mason, hoping to see Zoey as well.
"Guess?"
Zoey was in a good mood, so she was willing to joke around with Veda.
Veda thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up. "What makes Zoey happy must have something to do with Daniel, right? Did Daniel and Emily break up? Did Daniel realize you're the one who suits him best?"
Zoey, pleased by what Veda said, smiled more genuinely at her. "You're such a good friend. You're getting warm, but it's even better than you think."
"No way! Don't tell me Daniel agreed to be with you?"
Veda's eyes widened in disbelief, thinking things were moving way too fast.
Just recently, she'd seen how much Daniel loved and doted on Emily. This was quite a turnaround!
Veda was so happy she almost jumped up, but catching Mason's gaze, she restrained herself a bit.
Taking the opportunity, she asked, "Grandpa, is it true? When did this happen?"
"I agreed to it, the arranged engagement. Alright, you're too noisy. I'm tired, both of you leave!"
Mason couldn't stand watching Veda act so foolish and shooed them away.
Having achieved her goal, Zoey didn't mind Mason's attitude and left with Veda.
Veda was riding high on emotion now, already imagining the future. "Once you're Daniel's wife, you have to put in a good word for me with Daniel. Get me more dividends, more allowance. My future happiness is in your hands."
Zoey sneered inwardly.
Veda was such a fool. She was from the King family, and Soren and Daniel were essentially competitors. How could she really help Veda?
She only bothered being friendly with Veda because she was useful. Once she actually became Daniel's wife, she thought Veda's allowance could be even less.
On the surface, though, Zoey affectionately patted Veda's head. "Sure, who told us we're such good friends!"
Veda became even happier.
She couldn't wait to spread the news in their social circle.
Soon, everyone in their circle knew that the King family and the Smith family were getting engaged.
Zoey was the only unmarried woman of age in the King family, and since it was an engagement with the Smith family, plus Zoey and Daniel were "childhood friends," everyone's first reaction to hearing about the two families' alliance was that Daniel and Zoey were getting engaged, and happy times were near.
Charles was quite concerned about Daniel's affairs, so when he received this news, he was somewhat skeptical.
He insisted stubbornly, "How is that possible? If they were going to have an arranged marriage, they would have done it long ago. Why wait until now?"
Even when someone told him, "This is what Veda said herself. She's from the Smith family. She wouldn't just make up something like that, would she?"
Charles thought about it and went directly to Veda to ask.
Charles: "Veda, is Daniel really getting engaged to Zoey? I haven't heard Daniel mention it. You're not making this up, are you? Even if you really like that Zoey, you can't let yourself be used as a pawn!"
Now Veda was unhappy.
Veda said angrily, "If you haven't heard about it, it's because you and Daniel aren't close. I'm not making it up. I asked Grandpa and got his confirmation. My grandpa's word can't be false. And Zoey admitted it too."
"Impossible!" Charles had seen Daniel's love for Emily, something he'd never shown around Zoey.
Besides, Daniel was the kind of person who wouldn't compromise himself for an arranged marriage. If he didn't like anyone, an arranged marriage would make sense.
Of course, Charles also added, "My relationship with Daniel is at least better than yours with Daniel. Anyway, if Daniel hasn't admitted it, then it's impossible."
Charles hung up the phone still pondering the truth of this matter.
Veda had sounded very convincing, especially since Mason had confirmed it. He couldn't be completely certain for a moment, so he simply called Daniel.
"Speak!"
When Daniel answered Charles's call, he was brief and to the point.
Charles was used to his attitude, but thinking of Veda questioning their relationship, he spoke with some jealousy. "Daniel, how come I'm hearing your happy day is coming soon? Are we still good friends or not? You didn't even tell me?"
Daniel paused, then replied naturally, "When did my happy day become imminent? How come I don't know about it?"
What Charles heard filtered through as: He didn't deny that I'm his best friend.
However, Daniel had denied it.
Charles couldn't help complaining, "I knew what Veda said about you having an arranged marriage was fake. And she said your grandpa confirmed it too. It's probably Zoey going crazy, talking nonsense, and Veda actually believed it!"
Through Charles's complaints, Daniel understood where this "happy day" business came from.
A cold smile curved his lips. "She's not wrong. The King family and the Smith family are indeed having an arranged marriage."
"But what about Emily? Or are you really just playing around with Emily? That's Emily we're talking about. You need Emily to cure your poison, which means your life is in Emily's hands. Stop joking around!"
For the first time, Daniel found Charles somewhat annoyingly chatty.