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.

later, Meryl was ushered into a

grand hall was filled

biological daughter, her birthdays were always celebrated with great

status

in Kingsdom had been

hall was abuzz with wealthy

when she isn't even Mr. Stone's

has the skills and talent. In our circle, that's what really matters. Bloodlines

socialite nodded in agreement. "I heard 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 still an outsider. Isn't that like giving the company away? What about her

odd because Camille Foster, who adopted Meryl, was supposed to be

still couldn't wrap her head around why Lydia and

switched them to give Lydia a better life, but

knew the full story,

Stone family, while Lydia's origins

Stone family for over twenty years, and the Stones treated

chatted, their eyes

stares, Meryl lowered her head and

and said, "Didn't that woman who just walked by

others followed her

The woman who just passed by looked like a skeleton. Are you

person who