Chapter 1598


    “Are you okay?” Daniel looked at her with concern.


    Maisie’s heart raced. She instinctively avoided eye contact and shifted back.


    The atmosphere turned awkward once more.


    Daniel pondered for a moment, then offered a gentle smile. “I… I’ll tell you a joke, alright? There was


    once a tomato that jumped into a pot of hot soup, turning into tomato soup. Its buddy, the egg, wanted


    to save it and hopped into the same pot, transforming it into tomato and egg soup! Hahaha…”


    Maisie stared at him, puzzled.


    Daniel chuckled and then noticed something was off. He turned to Maisie, who still had a puzzled


    expression. “Uh, it’s not funny?”


    This time, Maisie couldn’t help but burst intoughter. It might have been ame joke, but it amused


    her.


    The tension lifted. The car was parked by the roadside, and they could see the starry night sky through


    the moonroof.


    Maisie leaned against the headrest, feeling drowsy. She had been tired all day, and now her eyelids


    started to droop in the warm and cozy car. She fell asleep without realizing it.


    Daniel kept the engine running and adjusted the warm airflow to the mostfortable temperature. He


    watched her intently, yearning to touch her face and kiss her forehead and lips. Yet, every time he


    extended his hand, he pulled it back. He feared waking her. He wouldn’t be able to savor this moment if


    she woke up.


    It was alright this way. She slept peacefully, and he silently watched over her. Originally, they weren’t


    supposed to have any more interactions. Still, he had seized this moment from fate with all his might.


    Maisie shifted in her sleep, and Daniel held his breath. He carefully covered her with his coat and


    smiled contentedly. This was the closest he had been to her since she left.


    The way she slept reminded him of their first night together six years ago. He had arranged for her


    brother in the best hospital back then and ensured her family had a good life. She was supposed to


    stay by his side ording to their promise.


    On that night.


    Maisie was very nervous, her cold hands trembling as she tried to undress. She had never been in a


    rtionship and did not know how to face a man, especially someone as imposing as Daniel.


    “Mr. Quimby, I…” She couldn’t figure out why the robe was tied in a knot when she only wanted to untie


    it. She was so anxious that tears started rolling down, and she looked lost, her face pale.


    Her helpless expression tugged at Daniel’s heartstrings. None of the women around him before were


    as innocent as Maisie. Sometimes, men genuinely wanted someone innocent like her to fulfill their


    sense of aplishment.


    Daniel held her hand and whispered, “It’s okay.”


    Maisie looked at him in surprise.


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    “I won’t force anyone.”


    “No, it’s not like that—” Maisie hurriedly tried to exin, but Daniel had already gotten up and walked


    toward the bedroom door.


    “Mr. Quimby!”


    “You probably need more time,” he said with his back turned. “I won’t force you until you’re ready.”


    Maisie gazed at his back, baffled. She sat alone in the bedroom. The light in the study had been left on


    the entire night while she tossed and turned, unable to get any rest.


    When Daniel returned to the Thompsons’, Linda confronted him. “Where did you gost night?”


    “To the amusement park,” Daniel replied nonchntly.


    Linda’s eyes widened. “At night?”


    “I’ve invested in that project. Can’t I go check on it?”


    “Daniel!” Linda eximed. “You weren’t alone, were you? Were you with Maisie all night?”


    Daniel fell silent for a moment and then snickered. “What if I was?”


    “You…”


    “I didn’t do anything to her!”


    “She has a boyfriend. She’s getting married soon! Wake up, you two don’t belong in the same world!”


    Linda panted. “Do you realize how many pairs of eyes are on you in Cumulus City? I don’t want Maisie


    to be your Achilles’ heel, exploited by those with ulterior motives!”


    “Being exploited is one thing,” Daniel said, looking into her eyes. “But don’t you want to avoid offending


    the Bayers? That’s the most important, right?”


    Linda gasped for air, unable to speak.


    “Sis, I’m sorry,” he said, word by word. “This time, the offense will be made!”


    “Daniel—”


    “Graham doesn’t even love her!” Daniel raised his voice. “Did he even call her oncest night? When


    his nended, shouldn’t he have contacted his girlfriend first? But he didn’t!


    “In his heart, he only cares about himself and his work. To him, Maisie is dispensable!


    “If he doesn’t love her, why can’t I be the one who loves her? Why not me?!


    “Linda, stop trying to persuade me.” Daniel took a deep breath. “This time, I won’t let Maisie go. Even if


    she remembers everything and wants to kill me, I won’t leave her again!”