Chapter 18-1


    Vivian then called Danielle over to the living room.


    She held on to her daughter’s hand tightly as the youngdy sat down obediently next to her. "Danielle, this is David Charrington.


    "Our families had an arrangement even before you were born. If you were a boy, you and David would be as close as brothers, and if you were a girl, you would be betrothed. Technically speaking, David is your fiancé."


    She then turned to David and said, "David, this is Danielle, our biological daughter."


    David looked at Danielle with a soft look in his eyes. Danielle was quick to ask, "So, Mr. Charrington. What exactly brings you here today?"


    "I heard that my fiancée had been found, so I’vee over bearing gifts. And to see if she’s adapting well to life here," David exined as he lifted his cup of coffee. He let the steam of the coffee waft over his face as he parted his lips gently to take a sip.


    Nathan’s eyes widened as he thought, ’Miss Darling has returned to her own home, what’s up with the concerned tone? If you used this gentle tone in meetings, nobody would walk on eggshells around you.


    "Nathan," David’s low voice interrupted the thoughts in his head.


    Nathan jumped to action, holding out a beautiful gift box and opening it in front of Danielle. He ced it on the coffee table in front of her and said, "Miss Darling, this is a gift from Mr. Charrington. The Crimson Lily. He trusts that you have a great need for it."


    Danielle looked at the Crimson Lily before her and realized that it was David who had outbid her at the auction. It was safe to assume that her other identity was already known to David.


    The Darling brothers voiced their opinion then in a rare show of unity. "Mr. Charrington, you’re indeed well-informed. Our sister has only just returned, and she is still a youngdy. It might be premature to discuss marriage at the moment."


    Audrey looked at the way her brothers jumped to Danielle’s defense. Her parents had never mentioned the betrothal to her, but now that Danielle was back, they brought it up in a heartbeat. A shadow shed across her eyes, but everyone was too preupied to notice.


    Even though David was infamous for his aggressive and ruthless business methods, Howard and Vivian also recognized that he was a fine specimen of a man with his good looks and intelligence. They believed that Danielle would be happy if she married him.


    Danielle hadn’t expected that her family and the Charringtons would have agreed on an arrangement like this. She never would have thought that the man sitting across from her was actually her fiancé.


    "Miss Darling, my grandfather has been itching to get out of the hospital, and he’d like to thank you in person as well. Would you be so kind as to pay him a visit with me?" David ignored the brothers and addressed Danielle directly in apelling tone.