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.

his arm out of the window, thin wisps of smoke rising from his

before speaking, "Sir, maybe you should just tell her who you really are..." Chandler tilted his

uncle. If she marries you, she'll have a strong position in

her, and she'd

offer. If I were

excited as he spoke, almost saying too

himself and

slightly. "Interesting

smiled, scratching the back of

shifted his tone. "But you don't

"What do you

oppressed by her family for so long that revealing Chandler's identity might scare her off, so he couldn't risk that. Chandler played with the lighter in his hand, thin smoke

outside an upscale private club, Dalton and Lydia stepped out

fidgeting with her hands

being relatively low-profile, the chaos of last night's birthday party had

was anxious, worried that Chandler had asked to see her to break her and Dalton

background, hardly a match for someone from such

was known for

then

family members and consolidating

clearly

family was a large, distinguished

decided she was a problem, Dalton might not

grew with every

her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Dalton, I'm really scared... What if your uncle tries

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

vulnerable as she looked up at