Chapter 289 Ingrid's Hostility

Chapter 289 Ingrid's Hostility

Zara's most serious injury was a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Luckily, Ray got there in time, so her life wasn't in danger.

After resting for a while, she was mostly fine. But when Scarlett picked up Zara, she still looked a bit tired, so she didn't go to the restaurant with Scarlett.

After Zara left in the car, Scarlett got in the car with Daniel.

The back seat was spacious, but Daniel sat right up against Scarlett, even though she was already pressed against the door.

"Can you move over a bit?" Scarlett made no effort to hide her annoyance.

Daniel kept his eyes on Scarlett, looking at her cold little face, and wanted to punch Chris.

What kind of advice was that from Chris about playing it cool and keeping your distance? It didn't work at all.

After a week apart, the only thing that had changed was that Daniel's lovesickness had gotten worse. Nothing else.

"Can't move over. My legs are too long, no way around it."

As Daniel spoke, he spread his long legs even wider, his thigh pressing directly against Scarlett's hip.

He was so tall that even in the most spacious back seat, if he sat like this, there wouldn't be enough room.

Scarlett gritted her teeth and turned to look at him with a half-smile.

"I know you're good at spreading your legs. No need to show off."

Daniel fell silent.

When had he been unfaithful?

But he still quietly pulled his long legs back together. Scarlett finally felt like she had a bit more space, but the next second, a strong force pulled her up and she was sitting right on Daniel's lap.

Scarlett was furious. "What are you doing?"

Daniel's handsome face turned slightly cold as he raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you complain about me spreading my legs? Now that you're sitting on me, I can't spread them anymore."

Scarlett was speechless. Just as she was about to struggle, Daniel tightened his arms around her, buried his handsome face in the crook of her shoulder, and asked,

"We haven't seen each other in so long. Did you miss me even a little?"

His hot breath brushed past her ear, and his low, husky voice seemed full of suppressed emotion.

Scarlett froze, her heart trembling beyond her control.

What Daniel had said that day in James's hospital room had affected her after all.

This past week, she'd often dreamed about things from when they were kids—Daniel learning to braid her hair, teaching her to ride a bike...

During the day when she woke up, she couldn't help thinking about him.

But Scarlett wasn't about to admit it. Her lips had barely moved when Daniel suddenly lifted his head, looked at her intently, and said,

"Never mind, don't say anything. You always say the opposite of what you mean. Even if you told me, I wouldn't believe you. I'll find out for myself."

Before Scarlett could react, Daniel grabbed her chin and covered her lips with his.

He impatiently pried her lips open with his tongue, pushing inside, kissing her hard and urgently.

When Scarlett came to her senses, she bit down hard on his lip. The taste of blood spread, and Daniel opened his eyes and let her go.

Scarlett glared at him angrily. "Don't push your luck!"

Daniel wiped away the faint trace of blood on her red lips. Far from being angry, he seemed to be in a good mood as he said,

"Mrs. Howard's judgment isn't great. Don't listen to her about keeping your distance from me. Besides, it's too late to keep your distance now."

Scarlett pushed him away and moved to the side.

"It's not too late. We're divorced, just so you know. And old people have great judgment. Mrs. Howard and Mr. Howard have been in love their whole lives—that's the kind of love people envy!"

The brief kiss couldn't cure his longing, but Daniel didn't dare really make her angry.

He let her leave his embrace, pulled out a tissue to press against his bleeding lip, and said.

"Once you're divorced, you have nothing to do with the Wilson family anymore. You're no longer the little orphan girl living under the Wilson family's roof. You're just Scarlett, the Scarlett I want to pursue, to love, to marry and bring home."

Scarlett listened to his serious words and clenched her hands slightly.

Daniel looked at her and said in a low voice, "Divorce is an ending for you, but for me, it's a new beginning! The kind of love that people envy—I can give you that too!"

He'd said it before: he wouldn't give up!

Scarlett turned to look out the window without speaking, but she was thinking—would someone like Daniel really pursue a woman?

What would it look like when he put his heart into pursuing someone?

Would he be like ordinary men, writing love letters and sweet words, showing up whenever she called, staying up all night watching TV and chatting with her, doing all kinds of boring things together?

When Daniel and Scarlett arrived at the private dining room, the Howard family was already seated.

Maeve had been eagerly waiting, and Steven had to keep coaxing her to stop her from running out to the street to wait.

When she saw Scarlett arrive, Maeve smiled like a child, looking incredibly innocent.

"Sophia, sit here!"

Maeve stood up, pulled Scarlett to sit in the empty seat beside her, and eagerly told Scarlett about all the good food they'd ordered.

Naturally, Steven sat on Maeve's other side, and on Scarlett's other side sat Theron, with Ingrid next to him.

If Daniel wanted to sit down, he could only sit between Ingrid and Steven.

The seating arrangement was clearly designed to separate Daniel and Scarlett.

Daniel didn't sit down. Instead, he walked over to Theron's chair.

"Mr. Howard, would you mind switching seats? Scarlett isn't feeling well, and I'd like to take care of her."

Theron didn't even look up. Instead, he leaned over, picked up the water pitcher, filled Scarlett's glass, and said, "Taking care of her isn't any trouble—it's easy enough. No need to go through the hassle of switching seats. Mr. Wilson, please take your seat."

Daniel glanced at Scarlett. She seemed perfectly comfortable, chatting warmly with Maeve, not caring who was sitting next to her.

He wondered if she'd noticed his gaze and was deliberately trying to annoy him.

Scarlett even casually picked up the glass Theron had just filled and took a smooth sip.

Just great!

Daniel walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down between Ingrid and Steven.

But this seat happened to be right across from Scarlett.

As soon as Daniel sat down, his gaze drifted coldly toward Scarlett. She couldn't pretend not to notice even if she wanted to.

Scarlett steeled herself and avoided looking in his direction.

But Ingrid suddenly let out a soft laugh and spoke up. "Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Wilson must have a really good relationship, just like Grandpa and Grandma. Even in this short time, Mr. Wilson keeps looking at Mrs. Wilson."

Ingrid raised her voice slightly. Before this, only Scarlett had been quietly talking with Maeve in the private room.

Now everyone couldn't help but look at Daniel, even Maeve stopped talking and looked over.

Daniel remained calm, still staring at Scarlett steadily and directly, his gaze even more focused now.

Following everyone's gaze, Scarlett looked over too, and their eyes met.

Daniel smiled. "Mr. Howard and Mrs. Howard's relationship is enviable. Being able to follow Mr. Howard's example would be my honor."

Daniel's words were like a public declaration of love for Scarlett.

Scarlett's ears burned hot, and she quickly looked away.

Ingrid smiled with pursed lips and continued, "Theron, did you see that? Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Wilson are sitting across this dining table from each other, and the tension between them is so thick you could cut it. If you don't switch seats with Mr. Wilson, how can anyone eat this meal?"

Ingrid's words were directed at Theron, but her eyes were on Scarlett.

There was scrutiny in Ingrid's gaze. She really couldn't understand what charm Scarlett had, even while pregnant, that made Shadow City's Daniel pursue her relentlessly, and made Theron—who had never shown special interest in any woman—treat her so differently.

And Maeve, who seemed to forget her own granddaughter when she saw Scarlett.

Maybe their energies just clashed, but even though Scarlett had helped Ingrid before, Ingrid really disliked Scarlett and felt a vague sense of threat from her.