Shakira walked in through the side door and heard Walter''s words. With a raised eyebrow, she leaned against the wall, choosing to hang back instead of joining them inside.


    After returning to the Nelson family in her previous life, Shakira had discreetly asked Sean to smooth over many of their business hurdles. This had allowed the Nelsons to catch up to other prominent families in just a year, which only inted their arrogance. Now, as she watched Walter put them in their ce, Shakira found it pretty entertaining. In the living room, Walter didn''t bother with pleasantries as he exposed the Nelson family''s intentions, earning a dark re


    from Finn.


    Mitchell clenched his fists, struggling to stay calm. If it weren''t for Finn''s warning not to act rashly, he would have blown his top by now. Seriously, what did a guy in a wheelchair have to be so smug about?


    Yvette might have looked down on disabled Walter, but his striking looks and the elegance he carried still made her heart race. She thought to herself that even sitting in a wheelchair, Walter had more charm and masculinity than Finn ever did.


    Even if she couldn''t marry him, wouldn''t it be thrilling to captivate a guy like himpletely? Excited by the thought, she held a small basket and moved a little closer to him.


    While her brothers wore their feelings on their sleeves, Yvette maintained her cool demeanor. Her expression was soft as she gazed at Walter shyly. "I didn''t get a chance to properly thank youst night foring to my birthday party and for your generous gift. I baked these matcha cookies myself, and I hope you''ll ept them, Mr. Lopez."


    As she spoke, she extended her hand toward him, leaning in slightly. A delicate pink diamond ne slipped out from under her light green dress, creating an elegant curve in front of her.


    "You''re Yvette?" Walter nced at Yvette, who was staring at him intensely.


    "Yeah, I''m." I''m." Yvette''s eyes lit up with surprise. ''He remembers me!


    Mitchell couldn''t help but step in front of Yvette, ring at Walter with a warning. "Walter, don''t even think about making a move on Yvette."


    Watching Mitchell''s over-the-top protection of Yvette, Shakira almostughed out loud. She genuinely wondered what kind of magic Yvette had used on him to make him act like this.


    Shakira nced over at Walter, and as she expected, he looked frustrated with Mitchell. For a moment, her grin stretched even wider.


    Yvette rolled her eyes at her annoying brother secretly and tried to slide a little closer to Walter again.


    But before she could reach Walter, Brian cut her off. "Mr. Lopez does not appreciate outsiders getting too elose, Ms. Nelson."


    "Sorry," Yvette


    Yvette replied with a charming smile, maintaining herposure. "Mr. Lopez, the Nelson family has faced a few setbacks, but I''m confident that with Finn''s skills, we''ll get back on track soon. I hope that, considering our long-standing friendship, you might lend a helping hand..." Walter pushed himself up in his wheelchair and suddenly asked, "Who let you wear that ne?"


    Still basking in the joy that Walter remembered her, Yvette froze. "Huh?"


    "That ne was a birthday gift from me to Ms. Nelson. How could you put it on?" Walter pressed, his voice icy.


    Yvette''s face went pale as her smile vanished. The shinning diamond ne around her neck now felt like it was digging


    1/3  into her skin. Walter


    didn''t hold back at all. His casual tone dripped with sarcasm. "My fiancée is already kicked out of the Nelson family. Without her, the engagement is off. So what do you even want to talk to me about?" He shot a look at an embarrassed Yvette and said, "You Nelsons love ying those role-swapping games, but I''m not buying


    into it."


    that, the Nelson trio couldn''t keep their cool anymore.


    Finn frowned. "Since you''re not interested, we''ll be leaving."


    As he motioned for Mitchell and Yvette to go, Levi stepped forward and said to Yvette, "Please return the ne."


    Yvette looked toward Walter, who


    who didn''t even nce her way-he was letting her suffer this humiliation. She couldn''t take it anymore, yanked the diamond ne off her neck, and tossed it back into Levi''s hands with a thud. Once outside and back in the car, Yvette broke down. Tears streamed down her face. "Finn, Mitchell, I''m so sorry. I messed everything up. I dragged everyone down with me..."


    Finn was already weighed down by the Lopez family''s harsh rejection, but seeing Yvette upset, he still tried tofort her. "Yvette, it''s not your fault. Don''t take it to heart."


    "Exactly! It''s Walter who''s being unreasonable!" Mitchell added, quickly grabbing tissues to dab at Yvette''s tears, ranting angrily, "It''s all Shakira''s fault! She started all this!" Finn frowned, disagreeing. "What does this have to do O with Shakira?"


    "Ever since she came back into our lives, everything has gone downhill. If she hadn''t cut ties at the worst moment, we''d still be engaged to the Lopez family. Walter would''ve had a reason to help us," Mitchell shouted. He mmed his fist against the seat, furious. "All of Yvette''s luck has been ruined by Shakira. It''s just so unfair!"


    Finn kept his eyes on the road, choosing not to argue back this time. His brows were tightly knit, a heavy tension settling in the air.


    "Are you done watching?" Walter nced over at the side door.


    Shakira then strolled in casually with her hands behind her back


    Walter looked at her with disdain. "Weren''t you the brave one? Why are you hiding out here now that the Nelsons are around?" Shakira smiled sweetly. "I didn''t want to ruin your moment of glory, Mr. Lopez."


    "Suck-up." Walter''s despise was clearer.


    Levi and the others couldn''t help but chuckle. Though Walter seemed disdainful toward both Shakira and the Nelson trio, his attitude was different when it came to her.


    Shakira walked toward Walter''s back and pushed his wheelchair forward. Leaning in slightly, she whispered in his ear, "I really appreciate how much you''re helping me."


    Her words were heartfelt. As she was with the Smiths and the Nelsons, she had never felt this kind of protection. But now, she was getting it from her "fiancé". It was truly ironic.


    As Shakira spoke, the warmth of her breath made Walter''s ear tingle. He instinctively turned his head, catching a glimpse of


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    the delicate corbone peeking out from her top.


    Her skin looked soft and delicate. Even though Walter hadn''t seen her that night, a distant memory of touching her stirred inside him. He squinted, his gaze deep and unreadable. "After all, you''re my servant now." Shakira paused, her expression falling. ''Damn, so much for feeling appreciated.''All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.