On the way down the mountain, Grace Carter walked while asking, “Brian Perry, when did you learn to do Tai Chi? Did you pick it up in college?”

Brian Perry sighed, nodded, and could only acquiesce in this way.

Fortunately, Grace Carter didn’t press further.

The two of them rode the motorcycle back to the city. As soon as they entered the mechanical factory’s residential area, a black Hongqi sedan drove past them—it was none other than the car of Grace Carter’s father, Paul Carter.

Xin’an Machinery Factory was a large state-owned enterprise under the province, and the factory-level leaders all held deputy department-level positions. There were three Hongqi cars in the factory, and one of them belonged to Paul Carter.

Paul Carter got out of the car, holding a black briefcase in his hand. He stood in front of the car, frowning, and looked at his daughter and Brian Perry riding the same motorcycle. In a deep voice, he said, “Xiaoying, where have you been? Come here!”

Grace Carter pushed the motorcycle and glanced at Brian Perry pleadingly.

Brian Perry let out a long breath, then walked over together, taking the initiative to greet Paul Carter, “Hello, Uncle Carter!”

Paul Carter did recognize Brian Perry. However, Brian Perry’s mother, Meng Lin, was just an ordinary cashier in the factory’s finance department, while he himself was a high-ranking factory leader, with thousands of employees under him of vastly different status. If Brian Perry had called him “Secretary Carter,” he might have nodded hypocritically, but upon hearing “Uncle Carter,” his expression turned somewhat indifferent.

Paul Carter ignored Brian Perry and immediately turned to glare at Grace Carter, “It’s so hot, why aren’t you staying at home? Why are you running around all day? Go home now! We have guests today!”

With that, Paul Carter tucked his briefcase under his arm and strode toward the building with a swaggering gait.

Grace Carter’s face flushed red. She looked at Brian Perry with some embarrassment and explained in a low voice, “Brian Perry, that’s just my dad’s temper, don’t be upset… Come on, let’s go to my place for a bit!”

Brian Perry smiled calmly and shook his head. “No, I’ll head home. See you!”

Brian Perry turned and left.

In fact, Paul Carter’s cold and dismissive attitude didn’t make Brian Perry angry, but that trace of arrogance in his eyes deeply stung Brian Perry’s heart.

Grace Carter watched Brian Perry walk away, her heart sinking. Only at this moment did she vaguely realize that her burning feelings for Brian Perry would be extinguished by the harsh reality.

At this thought, Grace Carter felt a wave of panic and sorrow, her eyes reddened, and she lowered her head in tears. She longed for love and happiness, but she had no power to change her reality.

Brian Perry paused for a moment, but then steeled himself and strode away.

If he couldn’t change the course of fate, then not only would romance be out of the question, but even this chance at rebirth would lose its meaning. If there wasn’t a brand new future, the deep regret in his heart would go far beyond just Grace Carter.

……

……

When Grace Carter returned home, her mother Linda Foster was cooking in the kitchen, while her father Paul Carter was sitting on the living room sofa, chatting with a well-dressed young man.

Seeing Grace Carter come in, the young man immediately stood up and smiled, “Grace Carter!”

Grace Carter glanced at the young man, her brows knitting slightly. She just nodded faintly as a greeting, then went straight into her room and closed the door behind her.

The young man’s expression stiffened for a moment, but he still maintained his composure and slowly sat back down.

Paul Carter’s face darkened. In a deep voice, he said, “Xiaoying! Little Bolton rarely comes to visit. Go change your clothes and come out to keep him company!”

“Uncle Carter, it’s fine, really. Grace Carter might be tired—let her rest for a while.”

The young man smiled, trying to smooth things over.

Paul Carter withdrew his gaze and looked at the young man with even more approval.

This young man was Grace Carter’s college classmate, Kevin Bolton, who had been pursuing Grace Carter for quite some time.

At first, Paul Carter hadn’t paid much attention, but later he learned that Kevin Bolton was the only son of Zhang Chengye, director of the city’s Agricultural Machinery Bureau, and the nephew of Zhang Meiqi, wife of Deputy Mayor Meng Qiang. His attitude changed immediately.

In Paul Carter’s view, Kevin Bolton came from a prominent official family, had a strong background, was talented, and had been assigned to work at the Education Bureau—he was a perfect match for his daughter Grace Carter.

As a result, although Kevin Bolton’s pursuit of Grace Carter hadn’t been very effective, he had become very close with Paul Carter and his wife due to his frequent visits. He was also very tactful, always bringing small gifts that suited their tastes, which won their favor.

While chatting and laughing with Paul Carter, Kevin Bolton kept glancing at Grace Carter’s bedroom door. Seeing it tightly closed with no sign of movement, he felt uncomfortable but didn’t show it.

He knew Grace Carter had no feelings for him and seemed to have someone else in her heart. But he wasn’t anxious—he had plenty of patience to wait. He was extremely confident that, with his talent and family background, the The Carter Family would definitely agree to let their daughter marry him.

A fortress is often breached from within—so over the past year, he had spent far more time and energy on Paul Carter and his wife than on Grace Carter herself.

It wasn’t until dinner, after repeated urging from her parents, that Grace Carter reluctantly came out to exchange a few words with Kevin Bolton. After dinner, Kevin Bolton felt it was rather dull and took his leave.