On the ride to the Welton family estate, Eliza''s slender frame stayed pressed against the car door.


    Casper tapped the seat next to him. "Scoot over a bit."


    Hershes, heavy with the mist of tears, lifted slowly as she looked at him, shaking her head. There was an inherent sense of vulnerability about her when she cried, especially in bed. He often found himself lost, utterly captivated by it.


    He withdrew his lingering gaze from her face. "You should really drop that ''woe-is-me'' look. Anyone who doesn''t know us might think I''ve done something terrible to you."


    "Have you not?" Her voice was barely a whisper.


    Casper shot her a cold look, a sneer in his voice. "Are you calling what happens between us mistreatment? Or is it your attempt to kill me that''s the real issue?"


    Anything she resisted wasbeled as mistreatment, whether in bed or out. Clearly, Casper didn''t get it.


    Eliza gently pressed her cheek against the car window, looking so alone and deste. The car slowly rolled to a stop in front of the Welton estate.


    Once out of the car, Casper extended his hand toward Eliza. She reflexively hid her hands behind her back. Noticing the slight change in Casper''s expression, she then ced her hand in his. Her hand was cold. His was warm and dry. But it wasn''t the warmth she needed.


    Walking into the mansion''s courtyard, Eliza spotted Caroline from a distance.


    "Eliza."


    "Caroline." Eliza managed a smile that looked more painful than tears.


    Caroline shot a displeased look at her brother. "Did you mess with Eliza again?"


    "Why would I do that?"


    "Really?" Caroline tilted her head to look at Eliza, clearly seeing she had cried. "Eliza, did he really not bully you?"


    "No, he didn''t, Caroline." Eliza didn''t want Caroline to focus all her attention on her. "When did you get back?"


    "Just arrived this afternoon and immediately called you over for dinner tonight." Caroline took Eliza''s hand, leading her inside. "Today''s special, Grandpa is in great spirits."


    The two women walked ahead, with Casper trailing behind, hands in his pockets. The streetlight cast a soft glow on Eliza''s profile, making her look breathtakingly beautiful.


    To wee Caroline, the family had


    prepared a feast. Tristan was unusually at home, and Audrey was as expressionless as ever. Only Jeffrey seemed different from usual, even indulging in a small ss of red wine.


    "Grandpa, are you happy because I''m back?" Caroline teased with augh.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Jeffrey raised his hand to pat Caroline''s head. "With Casper and you here, I can rest easy about the Welton family affairs."


    "Grandpa, we feel at ease because we have you," Caroline said, cing a piece of lobster meat into her grandfather''s bowl. "Grandpa, you need to live another thirty healthy years." "Then I would be a real old monster," Jeffreyughed heartily.


    Eliza ate her meal quietly, very politely. In the Welton family, she barely made her presence known; they talked, and she couldn''t, nor dared to, interject until Jeffrey mentioned her name. Only then did she look up, somewhat bewildered.


    "Grandpa."


    "Eliza, I know you''ve had a tough time recently. I''m aware of it. Here, I want to toast to you, to thank you for everything you''ve done for the Welton family, for me."


    Eliza understood. It was about the blood transfusion Jeffrey had received from her. She actually didn''t need thanks. From the


    beginning, she never wanted he


    blood to be taken. The family waited for her to say something. She said nothing, merely curled her lips into a small smile and drained the ss of red wine.