Chapter 190 Old Sweetheart Getting Married The champagne-colored BMW cruised into the residential area where Anna lived.
Having prepared dinner in advance, Anna smiled upon seeing them return together. âIâm almost done. Just one more dish to go.â
Crystal handed her a box of peaches; it was Annaâs favorite.
As Anna took it, her gaze swept over Pete. What a tactful fellow.
Pete was on his best behavior around Anna. He greeted her sweetly and even volunteered to give her a hand in the kitchen.
Obviously, Anna could not bear to let him do that, so she beamingly sent him to take a shower.
Immediately, Pete picked up his suitcase and entered the room. He looked so well-practiced that Crystal couldnât help but suspect that he might be one of Annaâs relatives.
Right when Anna finished cooking. Pete emerged, fresh from the shower.
Thanks to his long legs, he looked good in whatever he wore.
Enthusiastically, he helped Anna to her seat and served her food as if he was her own son.
While Crystal disliked certain parts of Pete, she had to admit that he knew how to please Anna. The latter looked like she was enjoying herself immensely, and seeing that cheered Crystal up.
The doorbell rang while they were eating.
âIâll get it,â Pete volunteered automatically.
Gazing after his strapping figure, Anna whispered, âWhat a lovely young man. Heâs enthusiastic and polite.â
Crystal smiled in return.
When Pete opened the door, he found a decent-looking middle-aged man accompanied by an elderly lady.
âMay I help you?â
Joshua had come with his mother and wife. He was stunned upon being greeted by such a character at the door.
Am I at the wrong house? I donât think so.
âIs Crystal home?â Joshua asked politely.
Crystal scowled in disgust at his voice. However, Anna squeezed her hand and advised. âHe is a guest. Letâs not forget the manners your father has imparted to you.â
Crystal could only force a smile.
With that, Anna beckoned the Quinns indoors. Before she could greet them, Georgina Quinn, the old lady, looked as if she was about to cry. âWhat a shack my darling granddaughter is living in! What kind of a father are you, Joshuaâ
Old Sweetheart Getting Married Flushing crimson, Joshua did not respond.
Crystal, on the other hand, looked nonchalant. âIâm doing very well. No need to feel guilty, Mr. Quinn.â
At the side, Anna poured them some coffee..
Georgina tried to take Crystalâs hand, but the latter dodged aside.
The old lady was morose. âWhy wonât you reconcile with your family? Joshuaâs vast fortune and properties. aside, you will live many times better than you do now! If you come back, everything your father owns will be given to you and Audrey. We wonât be biased.â
Still, Crystal was unmoved.
It dawned on her that they only wanted their flesh and blood back. The pain she felt when she faced Audrey was the least of their concerns. They donât actually want me back. They just want me to bury the hatchet with Audrey.
Crystal remained impassive.
Pete watched her, then turned to Georgina while gnawing on a toothpick. âJust because you have a few bucks, youâre using it to throw your weight around?â
Joshuaâs wife, Rhea Sutter, was displeased to hear that.
Studying Pete, she surmised that he was an employee. âItâs something you would never achieve in your lifetime,â she chimed in.
Pete removed the toothpick and leered evilly. âI have a few hundred million on me right now. Would you -like some?â
His provocation made Rhea tremble with anger.
She snapped, âLook at the type of riffraff Crystal is affiliated with, Joshua! I told you she isnât fit to return. to the Quinn family for the upbringing she has. Audrey is a much more decent person in comparison.â
âCrystal, I donât think itâs appropriate for him to stay here,â said Joshua after a short hesitation.
Crystal laughed coldly.
âI can no longer drive with my foot like that, Mr. Quinn. Do you have an opinion about me hiring a driver as well? Also, it doesnât matter whether or not Iâm decent. The Quinn family is too good for me. You should go.â
Pete stood by her. âIndeed. Youâre intruding on our family meal.â
His words earned him a glare from Crystal. Youâre not family!
Nonetheless, she found Peteâs fiery disposition useful. Placing him with Anna was perfect, as he would be able to fend off the Quinns if they came knocking again.
When Crystal arrived at that thought, her impression of Pete became much more favorable.
Meanwhile, Joshua turned pale.
Crystalâs foot still precludes her from driving? Does that mean she could no longer be a pianist toot Stepping forward, he began earnestly, âCome with me abroad, Crystal. I will have the best doctor treat you. You have my best genes. Once your foot recovers, you will be a star.â
While Crystal snickered, Pete snorted. âSo youâre here for a successor,â he remarked.
Joshua wanted to explain, but Pete pointed at the door. âGo. We didnât cook enough for you. Are you so poor that all three of you have come asking for a meal?â
Joshua and his family were livid.
When they left the house, Rhea, a native of Hulcaster, gritted her teeth angrily. âWho the hell does he think he is?â
On the contrary, Joshua was lost in thought..
The look Crystal gave him remained vividly in his mindâs eye. It was aloof and cold, without a trace of love.
Rhea could tell what he was thinking. She stroked his arm and consoled him, âWe still have Audrey. Joshua, sheâs our child-our own flesh and blood. As we didnât raise Crystal, itâs only natural for her to be distant.â
At the thought of Audrey, Joshua felt his heart soften.
His only other wish was for Audrey to find a decent partner after her divorce. If she managed to, their family would be whole.
After the trio was gone, Crystal did not say a word.
In the end, Anna took the initiative to speak. âWe wonât let them in next time.
She felt sorry for Crystal. Though she thought it would be better for Crystal to have a fatherâs love, she was not blind. She could see that the Quinn family did not dote on Crystal very much. The affection they had for her was nothing compared to the love they had for Audrey.
Crystal patted Annaâs hand, reassuring her, âIâm fine, Mom.â
In the midst of that, Pete sat down to eat and got some food for Anna.
âThatâs right. Donât be upset, Madam Anna. With me by your side, I promise you will glow with happiness every single day.â
Anna burst into laughter upon hearing that.
Still a little worried, Crystal spent the night.
She watched as Pete continued to charm Anna, and that pleased her.
When she rose carly the following morning for work, she found Pete already leaning on her champagne- -colored BMW. âGood morning. Miss Winters!â he greeted lazily.
Crystal cleared her throat. âJust stay with my mother.â
âBut she asked me to spend the day with you, Miss Winters. What do I do? Who should I heed?â Pete demurred.
Hearing that, Crystal did not bother arguing with him.
Upon entering the car, she ordered, âTo the music center on Gangford Street.â
Pete made a gesture of assent and stepped on the gas.
As he was a racer, he outstripped the other vehicles easily and cut the journey time of half an hour down. to a quarter of an hour.
With a screech, the car ground to a halt outside the building.
Pete exited the vehicle and opened the door for Crystal. âCould you sit beside me next time? Only rich and old people sit at the back,â he whined.
Crystal stared at him. âIâm your boss!â
She arrived at the elevator, then turned around. âI donât need a ride for the rest of the morning. Go home, take my mother to get groceries, and keep her company.â
Pete smiled devilishly as he held the elevator door open. âI got it. You want me, so youâre having me build a rapport with your mother, which would grant you easier access to me. Miss Winters, it would save us a lot of time if you would just confess how you truly feel.â
Without sparing him a glance, Crystal entered the elevator. âGo to the psychiatric department and get yourself checked.â
Pete couldnât resist cursing inwardly.
He went anyway and even returned with the invoice to ask for a reimbursement. âLook, Iâm perfectly normal! Also, I went to get myself checked out at the andrologist. Iâm especially virile. Would you like to see it?â
Crystal ignored him.
She was looking at an invitation in front of her-it was for Ritchieâs wedding due on Saturday night.
She did not expect to receive an invite after her quarrel with Rayna. While she was puzzling over the matter, Ritchie called and told her that it was Charlesâ intention.
As Charles and Madison had reconciled, he wanted to bring her to the wedding, and it would be best if Crystal could accompany them.
After hanging up, Crystal massaged her temples. Though she did not want to attend, she could not turn it down.
Pete rapped his knuckles on the table, looking displeased. âIs your old sweetheart getting married?â
Crystal did not wish to discuss the matter with him.
Her voice grew cold as she changed the topic. âThereâs a piano to be moved to the headquarters. Give them a hand.â
Pete gritted his pearly white teeth. âYouâre good at using people, Miss Winters. Iâve given you all of me. I donât care what you say, but Iâm coming with you to your old sweetheartâs wedding to feast. You owe me that much.â
At Adroit Law Firm, there was an important guest that day. It was Edward Zelcest of Hulcaster, the richest man in the south.
Sitting in Henryâs office, Edward was making some perfunctory small talk. âYouâre doing well here, Henry.â
âNothing compared to you, Mr. Zelcest,â Henry replied modestly.
After several more cursory remarks, Edward arrived at the reason for his visit. âIâm not going to waste your time, Henry. I am here at Barnwood for two reasons. The first is to attend the Jenkins familyâs wedding, and the second is to look for my wayward son.
Pete, that rascal, has left home without saying. anything. He only left a note telling us that he was going to Barnwood for something important. Iâm worried that he might not have any money with him.â
Recalling Pete, Henry grinned. âItâs good for young people to strive and apply themselves. Donât you worry, Mr. Zelcest.â
Edward sighed. âBe that as it may, Iâm just afraid he might lose his way. You know Barnwood well, Henry. Would you help me find him?â
âOf course.â Henry smiled lightly.
As angry as Edward was, he missed his son. âI donât know where Pete is right now,â he lamented. âI donât even know if he is living on the streets... Anyway, Iâll see you this Saturday at the Jenkins familyâs wedding.â
Henry walked him to the door politely.
After Henry saw his guest off. Jamie entered. âShould we begin looking into Peteâs situation, Mr. Miller? He is bound to use some devices. Iâm sure we will track him down soon enough.â
Henry took a sip of his coffee and chuckled. âMr. Zelcest spoils his son too much. Young men should undergo some hardships.â