His Coy Lover

Charles requested Zelda to be home by noon, and Tommy would arrive around half past twelve at the Winston mansion to help her with her hair. Zelda considered canceling the dinner with her parents at Rich Hotel because she needed to bring her car out from home for future convenience.

“Why the rush?” Chris asked with concern. “Is this Charles’ demand? How does he treat you now? Does he see you as a servant?”

Peck took over, reprimanding his wife gently, “That’s between Zelda and Charles. They will handle it. Although Charles may be cold, he isn’t unreasonable. He won’t mistreat Zelda. Don’t interfere; Charles, despite his indifference, isn’t irrational. You can rest assured. Don’t always act as if our daughter is suffering at the Winston; it won’t benefit her that way.”

“It was suffering from the beginning. If it weren’t for you listening to Elle, Zelda wouldn’t be like this now,” Chris complained.

“Elle did it for Zelda’s good. Zelda was… Well, let’s not talk about that now.” Peck said kindly to Zelda, “Zelda, do whatever Charles asks you to do. We have plenty of opportunities as a family of three to have dinner. No need to rush today.”

He escorted his wife and daughter out of the office, reminding Zelda, “Ask Charles about his thoughts on your desire to work when you see him.”

If Charles had no objections, Peck would be happy to groom his biological daughter to take over his position. He wasn’t yet at the retirement age, and as long as Zelda could endure hardships, he could nurture her to take over the company. This way, the company could be handed over to his own daughter, not Elle.

Chris turned to her husband and said, “Peck, Burton’s mom called me today, mentioning the engagement of Burton and Zelda. What do you think…”

“Reject!”

Without letting Chris finish, Peck quickly interrupted her. His expression was serious, serving as both a warning to his wife and a reminder to his daughter, “Don’t mention Burton and Zelda’s marriage again. They are not suitable for each other.”

Now that his daughter belonged to Charles, thinking of marrying Burton was suicidal. Peck advised his daughter, “Zelda, Dad knows you like Burton a lot. Although Burton is not bad, he’s really not suitable for you. Forget about him.”

“Dad, I’ve long forgotten.”

Peck carefully observed her expression, feeling relieved when he saw that she didn’t seem to be lying. “It’s good that you can let it go. Dad felt both heartache and helplessness when you did so much for him back then.”

In her heart, Zelda sneered: her father changed his attitude because he saw Charles treating her differently. Yesterday, he even wanted to use force against her.

Mother and daughter, under Peck’s escort, entered the elevator.

Soon, the family of three exited the elevator.

“Peck, you can go back to your work. Zelda and I will head home first.”

“It’s fine. I’ll see you out.”

Peck showed consideration.

Just as the family of three stepped out of the office building, Elle chased after them, holding the bouquet that Burton had bought.

“Zelda.”

Elle ran up to Zelda with the bouquet and handed it to her with a smile, “Burton asked me to pass this bouquet to you. He said you misunderstood him, refusing to accept his flowers. Zelda, you really misunderstood Burton. He has been busy lately, that’s why he didn’t come to see you when you had your accident. Now that he’s done with work, he came to find you.”

Zelda didn’t take the bouquet; she glanced at the flowers – red roses and baby’s breath, arranged beautifully but not to her liking.

“I don’t like roses.”

Zelda said casually, looking directly at Elle, with a pointed tone, “My mom and I came to the company spontaneously. How did Burton know I was coming? Did he predict it, or did someone tell him? If he wanted to give me flowers, knowing I don’t like roses, why did he buy roses? Is this his sincerity towards me?”Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“This flower-wasn’t it meant for me?”

Elle remained composed, apologetically smiling, “Burton asked me about work-related matters. I casually mentioned that you were in the company, and he came over. He bought roses because he came in a hurry and probably didn’t think about it.”

She loved roses herself.

“Hehe.”

Zelda chuckled twice, “I won’t accept it. Please return the bouquet to him. Thanks.”

After saying that, she said to her mother, “Mom, let’s go.”

Elle called, “Zelda, Zelda,” twice, but Zelda ignored her and didn’t stop walking.

Soon, Chris’ car left the Roscente Group.

Suppressing her gaze, Elle raised her head and received her father’s thoughtful look. Feeling uneasy, she hurriedly explained, “Dad, Burton asked me to pass the bouquet to Zelda. I didn’t expect Zelda to still be angry with Burton. If she finds out, I won’t mention it to Burton that she’s in the company.”

She added softly, “Zelda even slapped Burton, and she’s still not appeased.”

Peck reached for the bouquet of roses, examined it for a moment, and said, “Elle, try not to get involved in Zelda and Burton’s affairs. Regarding matters of the heart, we outsiders can’t help. We, as Zelda’s family, should stand by her side. As for this bouquet, throw it away.”

Peck stuffed the bouquet back into Elle’s arms and walked past her towards the elevator.

His daughter for whom he had raised for twenty-six years-how could Peck not know her preferences? The one who liked red roses was Elle! From the time Zelda and her mother arrived until they left, Peck didn’t see Elle pick up her phone. Without a phone, how did she inform Burton that Zelda was in the company?

It was clearly a lie!

Peck didn’t expose his eldest daughter’s lie. After all, despite not being his biological daughter, they had twenty-six years of father-daughter affection.

This time, Peck chose to tolerate Elle’s lie.

On the way back, the mother and daughter didn’t speak. When they were about to reach the Roscente, Chris asked, “Zelda, did you notice that something is off between Burton and Elle, causing you to give up on marrying him?”

“They’ve known each other for a long time, both talented and beautiful. In the eyes of many, they are a perfect match. But since you returned, Burton quickly confessed his feelings to you, making us believe that his relationship with Elle is just pure friendship.”

Zelda calmly said, “Mom, Is the relationship between men and women pure??