Chapter 216

Carl said, “Actually, I’ve got something to talk about, too. Let’s grab a meal together.”

He turned to Yunice and said, “Yunny, should we wait for you?”

Yunice needed to check with Wyatt before she left. “I’ll just give him a quick call,” she replied.

No one said a word. Lily glanced at Yunice, who looked stunning in her designer outfit, then lowered her head in silence. That girl really has it made; no matter where she goes, someone’s always looking out for her.

After calling Wyatt, Yunice joined Carl and the others for dinner at a restaurant. Carl booked a private room and casually ordered a spread of dishes. No one was really going to eat much today, anyway.

Owen and his parents sat side by side, deliberately leaving the seat of honor for Carl. When Yunice was about to find a random seat, Carl waved her over to sit next to him. That move, naturally, made the Saunders family turn green with envy.

Carl had just returned to the country, bringing with him a massive cache of cutting-edge foreign medical equipment. And the newly built hospital in the northern district desperately needed those resources. Whoever—Wyatt or Paul—could land a partnership with Carl would gain leverage over the northern district hospital. Carl showing this much care for Yunice was clearly bad news for Owen.

“Mr. Carl, a toast to you,” Owen tried to cozy up, lifting his glass high and downing it in one gulp.

Carl raised a hand, signaling him to sit. “No need to be so formal.” Then he asked, “Is Oscar still abroad?”

“He wrote to say he’ll be back soon. When he does, I’ll make sure he visits you right away.”

Carl, still making small talk, gave Owen a bit of relief. After all, Carl was his uncle by generation; he wouldn’t go picking fights with his brother’s widow and the younger folks.

Then Carl said, “He’s coming back for Yunny’s wedding, right?”

Carl set down his untouched drink, his voice laced with pressure. “I want to know who arranged such a great marriage for Yunny.” He deliberately emphasized the word “great.”

Owen tried to smooth things over. “Mr. Carl, don’t listen to any outside rumors. Yunny and Wyatt are in love; she insisted on marrying him. We couldn’t stop her even if we tried.”

Lily also looked up, her tone gentle. “Carl, do you think we’ve been unfair to Yunny?”

Her serene and calm demeanor made it seem like this was all just a harmless misunderstanding between her and Carl. She smiled. “You care so much about Yunny—if you think this marriage isn’t good for her, then you go ahead and call it off.”

She turned to Yunice, her tone serious. “Yunny, tell Mr. Carl now—do you want to marry Wyatt?”

Yunice didn’t take the bait. She asked in return, “Do you want me to marry him, or not? I’ll go with whatever you say.”

Lily chuckled. “Silly girl. Your happiness is in your own hands. I won’t interfere.”

Yunice turned to Carl. “Mr. Carl, Elsie has always wanted to marry into a wealthy family. I’d like to give her the chance.”

Lily’s hand shot out to grip the table. She knew Yunice was up to something and instinctively snapped, “No! Elsie can’t marry Wyatt!”

That was exactly the reaction Yunice was waiting for. “So you don’t think Wyatt’s good enough?”

Lily’s face froze with embarrassment. Owen slammed his spoon against the table. “Yunice, how can you act like this in front of Mr. Carl! Your engagement to Wyatt was settled long ago. Now you want to back out? What are people supposed to think? You think this is something you can just swap like clothes?”

Yunice replied, “Didn’t seem that complicated when you switched it on me.”

He had known all along about Paul and Elsie’s affair and still helped cover it up. When the engagement was annulled, he even brought Elsie along, hoping to confirm their relationship immediately. There had never been any rules he felt obligated to follow. If something benefited Elsie, he’d flip heaven and earth to make it happen. He’d never once considered her feelings.

Seeing that Yunice was about to dig up all the dirty laundry, Owen shot her a warning glare. “You think I haven’t figured it out? Ever since that Elsie showed up, your whole family’s been ganging up on Yunny!”

“That’s not true!” Lily fired back instantly. Her eyes were red, her voice shaky with emotion. Elsie hung her head, silently weeping, looking like she blamed herself for causing all this drama.

“You really think I don’t know anything?” Carl was getting heated. “Save your tears—I’m not some soft-hearted fool!”

He gave Owen a sharp look, then laid it all out one by one. “You say you haven’t mistreated Yunny? Then tell me how the heck did her name end up on that little brat’s records?”