Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison

Chapter 17 Knowing Her Well

Meryl lowered her eyes and said firmly, "I won't marry him."

In her most helpless moments, Dalton had once been a beacon of hope, a light that brightened her life.

Because of that, she had believed in him all these years.

No matter how many times he hurt her, just recalling the scarf he threw to her outside the bathroom that day would make her forgive him.

She had kept compromising, forgetting that people could change and that light could shine on someone else.

Anne sighed with relief. "I'm glad you see it now. You were too fixated on him before."

She gently touched the scar on Meryl's ankle, her voice filled with guilt. "I'm sorry, Meryl. I couldn't protect you." Meryl shook her head.

During that time, the Blanchett family was in chaos, and Anne had broken her leg in a performance accident. She had her own troubles, and Meryl understood.

They got so absorbed in their conversation that Walter quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.

He headed to the parking lot where Chandler was sitting in the car, smoking.

Seeing Walter approach, Chandler raised an eyebrow. "How did it go?"

"Ms. Stone was pretty surprised. Doesn't seem like she's up for a quick marriage," Walter said honestly.

Chandler stretched his legs, leaning back in his seat with a slight smile. "I figured as much."

He knew Meryl wouldn't agree to something so sudden without a strong reason.

This thought deepened his gaze.

casually draped his arm out of the window,

maybe you should just

you're Dalton's uncle. If she marries you, she'll

she'd be

tempting offer. If I were her, I'd

more excited as he spoke,

himself and wiped

smiled slightly.

the back of his

quickly shifted his tone. "But you

puzzled. "What

revealing Chandler's identity might scare her off, so he couldn't risk that. Chandler played with the lighter in his

private club, Dalton and

visibly nervous, fidgeting with her hands in front of

the chaos of last night's

Chandler had asked to see

was a fake socialite with a murky background, hardly a match for someone

reputation, was known for his

a decade in the police force and then

power player, sidelining other family members and consolidating his

person clearly had

Aniston family was a large, distinguished clan

problem, Dalton might not dare to go.

grew

"Dalton,

her shoulder, his voice soothing. "Don't worry. I'm

were wide and vulnerable as she