Chapter 104

Shein responded with mild indifference, “It’s rare to find someone so righteous at his age. You could

learn a thing or two from him.”

Meanwhile, Wanda, who was hiding in the warehouse, felt a sense of contentment hearing her father

praise Carlisle.

“Oh, Carlisle, remember this is your future father–in–law. Best behavior, okay?” Wanda silently urged.

Zachary scoffed, “Learn from him? Do you even realize how out of line he was? If I hadn’t stepped in,

he’d

be in serious trouble. If he sets the example, it’s the end of the Thompson family legacy!”

Wanda tightened her fists in annoyance. “Why does Zachary always have to be so mean? Can’t he just

be civil?” she fumed inwardly.

Shein shot Zachary a stern look. “Shut up!”

Shein thought to himself that Zachary needed a good talking–to when they got back home, especially

considering he was being so rude in front of Yuriel.

Zachary rolled his eyes, thinking, “This guy’s almost run off with your daughter, and you’re defending

him?”

Shein then smiled at Carlisle and reassured, “Lad, that’s just how my son is. Don’t take it to heart.”

Carlisle grinned. “It’s okay. He’s not wrong. I underestimated the situation and ended up in trouble

because of it.”

Yuriel turned to Carlisle and asked, “Are you here to buy paintings too?”

Carlisle nodded. “My grandfather’s birthday is coming up. He loves paintings, so I came to find

something

special.

Zachary eyed the painting in Carlisle’s hand and then glanced at the money in the Retrovintique

owner’s hand. It looked like around 100 thousand dollars.

“That painting looks expensive,” Zachary remarked, suspecting Carlisle had swindled Wanda

financially.

“It wasn’t cheap, and it cost me 100 thousand dollars,” Carlisle replied honestly.

“Come with me,” Zachary said expressionlessly as he headed outside.

Carlisle quietly followed him.

With his father and Yuriel present, Zachary wouldn’t dare lay a finger on him, would he?

Once outside, Carlisle noticed a dozen well–dressed bodyguards standing by the entrance.

Zachary lit a cigarette, then pressed Carlisle against the wall, coldly warning, “Carlisle, let me remind

you, stay away from my sister. She’s not someone you can mess with.”

Carlisle calmly replied, “You can’t dictate Wanda’s feelings.”

pter104

“Smack!”

Zachary punched Carlisle in the face, causing him to stumble.

Several passersby stopped to look. The bodyguards quickly lined up to block the view of the onlookers.

Zachary grabbed Carlisle’s collar and sneered, “You might not have known what the Thompson family

was like before, and I can’t blame you for that. But understand this: the Thompson family is a league

you’ll

never join.”

Carlisle wiped a speck of blood from his cheek with his tongue and calmly replied, “ver aspired to

be part of the Thompson family. I don’t reach for what’s beyond my grasp, so don’t underestimate me.”

“Damn…” Zachary raised his hand, ready to strike again.

“Zachary!” Wanda rushed out from Retrovintique and pulled Carlisle behind her. She looked up

defiantly and declared, “If you want to fight, fight me!”

Shein emerged from Retrovintique, wearing a grim look. He asked calmly, “What’s going on here?”

With his hands in his pockets, Zachary smirked. “You wondered why Wanda didn’t get into a top–tier

university, right? It’s because of him. Wanda deliberately scored lower to get into Riverland University

and then started dating him!”

Shein raised an eyebrow. “Is that true?”

Wanda remained silent. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Feeling the weight of the situation, Carlisle knew no matter what he said, the Thompsons wouldn’t think

highly of him. He spoke earnestly, “Mr. Thompson, Wanda and I will focus on our studies.”

Just as Zachary was about to retort, Shein silenced him with a stern look.

Shein turned to Carlisle and said, “You’re both still young. I hope you’ll make wise decisions.” Wanda

looked at her father in disbelief, wondering if he had just allowed her to be with Carlisle.