Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison

Chapter 3 Silent Whispers

Meryl struggled to catch her breath, gripping the edges of her sleeves as if they might keep her grounded.

Why did he have to not only reject her but also humiliate her?

After a moment, she steadied herself, looked up at Dalton, and forced a smile. "Dalton, just because I have feelings for you doesn't mean you can belittle me."

Dalton was momentarily taken aback by her smile, a rare sight these days.

He found himself staring at her longer than he meant to, but by the time he realized it, Meryl had already looked away.

He loosened his tie and stubbed out his cigarette, acknowledging that Meryl had changed.

Though he wouldn't admit it, she wasn't the same woman who used to light up a room with her smile.

It was as if her spirit had withered away.

It didn't affect him directly, but it stirred an unsettling discomfort within him.

Dalton couldn't quite figure out what was bothering him.

Shaking off the confusion, he reminded her, "Today is Lydia's birthday. I'll take you back to the Stone Villa later, but remember to behave. Don't cause trouble. Lydia is nothing like you." Meryl's heart sank at his words.

To Dalton, Lydia was a cherished prize, while she was deemed unworthy even as a mere accessory.

Meryl was ushered

grand

though Lydia wasn't Malcolm's biological daughter, her birthdays were

Stone family's status and their support for her, subtly reinforcing her

in Kingsdom

was abuzz with wealthy women discussing the latest high-society

isn't even Mr. Stone's biological daughter?

what

Lydia has already closed several major deals within six months of joining the company. Mr. Stone was so impressed that he promoted her to vice president, clearly grooming her as a successor." "But she's

Foster, who adopted Meryl, was supposed to be Lydia's mother, but

head around why Lydia and Camille weren't

switched them to give Lydia a better life, but it turned

full story, but the outcome

was sent back to the Stone family, while Lydia's

the Stones treated her as well, if not better, than their

chatted, their eyes subtly drifted

their stares, Meryl lowered her head and

the others and said, "Didn't that woman who just

followed

way. She was known for her striking beauty and figure. The woman

Meryl was the kind of person who stood out