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.

ushered into a

grand hall

daughter, her birthdays were always celebrated with great

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

in

hall was abuzz with wealthy women discussing

Mr. Stone's biological

and talent. In our circle, that's what really matters. Bloodlines are

the company. Mr. Stone was so impressed that he promoted her to vice president, clearly grooming

one knows where her biological parents are," came the response from someone in the know. "It's odd because Camille Foster, who adopted

around

to give Lydia a better life, but it

full story, but the outcome was

to the Stone family, while Lydia's origins stayed

the Stones treated her

few socialites chatted, their

their stares, Meryl lowered her head

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

others followed her

for her striking beauty and figure. The woman who just passed by looked

kind of person who stood out even in a