Chapter 1960


    Seth’s already somber expression darkened further. Two secondster, Patty''s lips curled into a


    slow, sardonic smile. "Just be yourself, Seth. You know, go with the flow. I was just giving you a


    friendly reminder, that''s all. Surely, you wouldn’t neglect Danielle even if I didn’t say a word, right?


    With the Ellis family’s reputation, there’s hardly any need for you to y the knight in shining armor.


    Besides, your focus is on your studies and running the family business, which I am well aware of.


    Don’t feel pressured, I’m not forcing you into anything.”


    Patty’s mood shifted abruptly, a trademark of her unpredictable temperament. Seth seemed used to


    it by now. He pushed back his chair, circled the dinner table, and headed upstairs.


    The smile on Patty’s face faded as she straightened her lips into a line.


    The nearby maid hesitated before speaking, “Ma’am, you know how much Mr. Seth cares about


    you. Perhaps it''s best not to talk about such ominous things.”


    Patty’s eyes softened, and her lips rxed into a faint smile, “It seems that’s the only leverage I


    have over him.”


    After herst remark, she turned and left. She was relieved; he still cared about her, deeply so,


    perhaps even to the point of it being untouchable for him. Otherwise, who else could possibly


    manage him?d2


    Did he seem like a man to be easily swayed?


    The maid shook her head silently behind her.


    …


    The next day, Seth dutifully drove Patty to the airport early in the morning.


    Danielle was there too. She had received a call from Patty the night before, informing her of the


    morning departure. She had arrived at the Diaz estate bright and early.


    At the airport, Patty held Danielle’s hand, chatting and doling out advice and jokes in equal


    measure.


    Seth remained silent throughout.


    It was almost time to board when Patty began to queue for customs. As they waved goodbye, Patty


    clutched her shawl and looked at Seth with a beaming smile, “Take good care of Danielle for me.”


    She seemed as if the tense standoff at the dinner table the night before had never happened.


    Seth nced at her emotionlessly and acknowledged with a nonmittal grunt. Patty seemed


    satisfied with that and said no more.


    On the drive back, Danielle sat in the passenger seat, her sideways nces falling on Seth as he


    drove. They hardly spoke, until they were nearly home, when she ventured tentatively, “About


    yesterday, how do you feel? I mean, is managing thepany very challenging?”


    Seth drove on, his voice t, “Seems anyone can y the boss these days.”


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Danielle bit her lip, her hands twisting together, her cheeks reddening. Clearly, Seth was mocking


    her naive question. “I was thinking of studying business management, so maybe I could help you


    out.”


    “No need.” Seth’s voice was frosty.


    The silence was suffocating.


    “You can find a million reasons to do what you want, but don''t use me as one of them. Your life is


    your own, and I don''t have the energy to be responsible for it.”


    Danielle turned pale, “I didn’t mean...”


    Seth chuckled dryly.


    The red light stopped them. He turned to her, his eyes narrow and dark, seemingly amused but icy


    all the same. “Right, you haven’t done anything. But you should know, you’re thest person I want


    to deal with.”


    With that, Danielle’sst bit of color drained from her face. She clutched her purse tightly, looking


    down, her lips trembling uncontrobly. “Why?” She looked up to see Seth, but all she saw was his


    indifferent profile as he gripped the steering wheel and the car surged forward, as if he hadn''t heard


    her at all.


    Danielle’s head buzzed with indignation and frustration. It took her a moment to speak again, “Since


    I came back to the Ellis family, what have I done to make you hate me so much? Compared to


    Cicely, I don’tpete for attention, I don’t cling to you or shamelessly impose on you. We hardly


    ever see each other, and yet, in your eyes, I’m somehow less likable than Cicely? Why? Or do you


    actually prefer her type?”


    Seth’s impatience was palpable, his disdain so obvious it seemed intentional. “Can you please stop


    bringing her up?”


    “Then why, for what reason do you hate me?!” Danielle, always the meek and proper heiress of the


    Ellis family, seemed to lose herposure. After her outcry, the car fell into a deathly silence. The


    contrast was stark.


    Realizing her outburst, but knowing it couldn’t be undone, she bit her lip and waited for an answer.


    The car continued to the grand Ellis estate.