"I met you on a trip to Nebula City last June. We've kept in touch ever since, and we've only recently made our relationship official. You happened to be here on a business trip and took the opportunity to visit me. You have other matters to attend to later, so you must leave in a little while."
Samantha Tate crisply finished laying out Carson Flores's background as her fake boyfriend: "That's about it. When we're in front of my family, try to say as little as possible. If you really can't avoid it, then just improvise. All that matters is that we get through today."
Carson Flores nodded, "Okay, where do we head now, to your place?"
"The hospital."
Samantha Tate said cleanly, "My grandfather is hospitalized. He has always been nagging me to get into a relationship and marry early. You just have to pretend to be my boyfriend to lift his spirits."
Quite filial, isn't she?
Carson Flores muttered to himself and kept silent.
After walking a bit, they arrived at the parking lot, where Samantha Tate retrieved a car—a red Porsche Macan.
Samantha Tate started the car and casually asked, "Do you work around here?"
Carson Flores settled into the passenger seat, fastened his seatbelt, and offhandedly replied, "Just got here, have some matters to take care of."
Samantha Tate pressed further, "What matters?"
Carson Flores answered straightforwardly, "My family has arranged a marriage for me; I came to check it out."
Samantha Tate glanced at him, "Check it out? Haven't you met her?"
Carson Flores shook his head, "I've heard she's quite pretty."
Samantha Tate snorted, "What era are we in? It should be simple to send a picture. Since they didn't even show you her photo, I guess she must be ugly. They're afraid you'll regret it after seeing her, so they want you to come over and make it a done deal with no way out!"
Carson Flores blinked. Could it really be that much of a setup?
Getting conned out of money is one thing, but surely they wouldn't trick him with something as serious as a lifelong commitment, would they?
On second thought, whether he marries or not is not a big deal; she might not even be willing. He just needed to figure out a way to get the Jade Pendant back.
"I'll check her out, and if it doesn't work out, I can always make a run for it."
Samantha Tate hummed, "Hah, men..."
The sound of an incoming phone call suddenly filled the car. Carson Flores glimpsed the car's computer screen, which displayed the caller's name.
Snow.
Samantha Tate put her delicate index finger to her lips in a shushing gesture, then pressed the steering wheel's call answer button, "Sis..."
A cool and pleasant female voice came through, "I heard Grandpa was admitted to the hospital?"
Samantha Tate replied, "Yes, I'm on my way there now."
"Okay, send me the address later. I'll come to visit him after a while."
Samantha Tate answered, "You, the busy CEO, don't even have time for a love life. Aren't you supposed to have a shareholder meeting today? If you're too busy, don't bother coming over; my dad and the others are there."
The woman's voice was gentle, "No problem, I'll find some time after the meeting."
"Alright, I'll send the address later."
"Fine, I'll hang up for now."
Carson Flores casually asked, "Your sister is single too? No wonder your family is urging you."
Samantha Tate snorted, "My sister is a Phoenix soaring high above. She's beautiful, capable; at her young age, she's already the CEO. Which man is worthy of her?"
Carson Flores carelessly responded, "There must be some excellent men out there."
Samantha Tate gave Carson Flores a sidelong glance, "Certainly not anyone like you, anyway."
Carson Flores chuckled wryly, "What about me? I'm quite exceptional too, you know?"
"You?"
Samantha Tate said mockingly, "You really are confident! Someone like you isn't even fit to carry my sister's shoes. You'd better go back to your fiancée, who's not even brave enough to send a photo!"
Carson Flores was mocked, but he simply smiled and didn't get angry. Inwardly, however, he couldn't help but wonder about the truth of his master's claim that his fiancée was beautiful and a company president.
The car entered the hospital of Polgel City, parked, and they made their way to the inpatient department, entering a spacious private ward.
On the hospital bed lay an elderly man with white hair, who must be Samantha Tate's grandfather, Dariel Gilliam. By the window stood a couple dressed in exquisite clothing, they were Samantha Tate's parents, Adan Gilliam and Emma White.
"Grandpa..."
A pale smile appeared on Dariel Gilliam's face, "Little Samantha is here, and this is...?"
Samantha Tate reached out and pulled Carson Flores's arm, smiling as she introduced him, "Grandpa, this is my boyfriend, Carson Flores. He happened to be in Polgel today, so I brought him to see you."
Boyfriend?
The three members of the Gilliam Family looked at Carson Flores simultaneously, their gazes filled with scrutiny and doubt.
Facing everyone's scrutinous looks, Carson Flores unconsciously straightened his back.
After observing for a moment, Dariel Gilliam suddenly laughed, "Have you been a soldier?"
Carson Flores was slightly startled, then he smiled, "Yes, indeed. I've just been discharged not long ago. You have a very sharp eye, sir."
Dariel Gilliam laughed heartily with satisfaction, "Haha, I've been in the military all my life. I can tell at a glance those who've served from those who haven't, the good soldiers from the bad ones. Young man, you're as straight as a pine, as composed as a mountain, surely you're not bad..."
Carson Flores realized then that he'd only left Dark Blade not long ago, so the military aura was still quite strong on him. Ordinary people might not notice it, but Dariel Gilliam, who'd spent a lifetime in the military, could naturally see it.
Ex-military?
Adan Gilliam's gaze showed a clear look of disdain. Although he had not followed in his father's footsteps and pursued a military career, opting for business instead, he knew that if someone were truly excellent, they would have stayed and made a career in the military.
For Carson Flores to have been discharged at such a young age meant only one thing—he was average!
Dariel Gilliam asked, "What do you do after being discharged?"
Carson Flores hesitated for a moment, then answered, "I've just arrived in Polgel, planning to find a job here."
Adan Gilliam's face darkened even more. Not even a job?
Samantha Tate became anxious as well. Hadn't she fabricated a family background for him? Why wasn't he following the script?
You took the money but refuse to do the job?
Although Samantha Tate was anxious, she dared not reveal the truth. She could only turn her head and glare fiercely at Carson Flores, the warning clear in her eyes.
This look naturally fell into the eyes of the three Gilliams, yet their interpretation of it varied.
Adan Gilliam had initially been skeptical of Samantha Tate's suddenly appearing boyfriend, feeling it was too abrupt and seemed fake. But now, he was somewhat convinced.
Perhaps it was because the young man came from a poor family and didn't have much to offer, which was why their daughter kept him hidden, unwilling to bring him home.
This time, if it weren't for her grandfather's serious illness and his persistent concern about her marital status, she probably wouldn't have brought him home.
How could this young man be worthy of Samantha?
Adan Gilliam's face turned icy. A pauper like this young man wanted to marry Samantha, to enter the Gilliam Family?
Pure fantasy!
Dariel Gilliam, seeing his son's expression, leaned back on the hospital bed and laughed, "Little Samantha, don't look down on him. As long as a man is capable, temporary setbacks are nothing. Didn't your grandfather start from scratch to build up the Gilliam Family? People shouldn't just think of enjoying life, they must strive..."
Samantha Tate was at a loss for words and could only agree with her grandfather, "That's why I was afraid you wouldn't approve."
Dariel Gilliam laughed, "As long as he's good to you, and behaves like a real man, I am satisfied. When will you get married, have a child and let your grandfather see? Even in death, I would rest easy."
Samantha Tate cooed, "How could it be so soon? I'm only 24, to marry, we should still wait a few more years..."
Dariel Gilliam's eyes widened, "You're 24 and still call yourself young? You..."
Before Dariel Gilliam could finish, his complexion suddenly turned beet red, and he began to breathe heavily as if his lungs had burst, gasping as though unable to catch his breath.
"Doctor!"