Chapter 522: Michale Shaw Side Story (13) Pursuit, Quite Shameless

Assistant Merritt closed his eyes and prayed:

If I, a humble man, can live a life as a vegetarian, I only ask that Young Master Carter absolutely refuse our boss.

Unfortunately, heaven didn’t hear his prayer. After the door opened, the two of them walked out of the office one after the other. Tobias Carter still had that aloof and unreachable look on his face, but as for his boss…

He was smiling like a happy pup!

The four of them shared a car. Assistant Merritt drove, and Archer Carter smartly took the passenger seat, which meant Tobias Carter had to sit in the back with Michale Shaw. Though the back seat could comfortably fit three adults, someone kept inching closer to her…

“Michale! Can you move away from me a bit?” Tobias couldn’t stand it anymore.

“You don’t like me sitting close to you?”

“No, it’s uncomfortable.”

“Alright.” Michale indeed moved away a little, but his eyes stayed fixed on her. Tobias had to pretend to look out the window to avoid his gaze.

His eyes were so eager that Tobias was reminded of their previous kiss and hug, causing an unintentional blush to rise to her ears.

Feeling vexed:

Why is Michale so unconventional and thick-skinned?

Assistant Merritt was almost going crazy:

My boss!

Restrain yourself!

Endure it!

Although he had long known this, it seemed his boss was clueless.

Archer Carter rarely saw his cousin at such a loss over someone. He found it amusing, barely holding back his laughter.

Throughout the meal, Michale was especially attentive, constantly pouring tea and peeling shrimp, giving Tobias a headache. “You just got off the plane, aren’t you tired?”

“You’re concerned about me?” Michale’s eyes instantly lit up.

Tobias reluctantly smiled:

Unbelievable, he’s actually the self-persuading type.

——

Because they were using Michale’s car to drop the Carter siblings off at their place, Assistant Merritt breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he no longer had to be on edge. He knew his boss too well…

Free-spirited, and apparently quite rebellious in school!

He did things purely based on whim. Even if he suddenly kissed Tobias in public, it wouldn’t surprise him.

When saying goodbye, Archer and Michale exchanged glances: “Michale, want to come upstairs for a drink of water?”

Ordinarily, someone would probably decline.

But Michale immediately perked up, “Sure, I’m actually thirsty.”

Tobias felt helpless:

Do they think I’m blind? Doing these little tricks right in front of me.

Michale, with his thick skin, followed right upstairs. Tobias had work to do and didn’t bother with him; after all, Michale had stayed here before and was familiar with everything.

“Don’t worry about me, I’m just here for a drink of water. I’ll leave right after.”

Archer stayed to help her handle some work and then went home.

Busy with work, Tobias didn’t notice the time until it was nearly midnight. She rubbed her temples, intending to make a strong cup of tea. The living room was dark, except for the soft pink-blue glow from the jellyfish wall.

She thought Michale had left, but upon crossing the living room, she discovered…

He was still here.

Sprawled on the couch, asleep.

Tobias was taken aback. The Capital City had stopped supplying heat, but the chill of spring lingered, making the nights quite cold. She frowned, wanting to send him to the guest room, but remembered how exhausted he had mentioned he was from the business trip and the long flight.

In the end, she softened and fetched a blanket from her room.

She carefully draped it over him, her eyes lingering on his face, studying him closely under the light of the jellyfish wall…

Actually, when Michale wasn’t talking, he looked quite good.

Her gaze dropped to his lips,

and in a flash, images flitted through her mind.

Tobias took a deep breath.

At that moment, Michale also woke up, groggy, “You’re done? Your face doesn’t look well.”

Immediately after,

Michale was kicked out of her house.

He was puzzled, even after getting in the car, he couldn’t figure it out. All he could do was lament:

No wonder they say a woman’s heart is as elusive as a needle at the bottom of the sea. Completely unfathomable.

Meanwhile, Assistant Merritt, who had waited downstairs for hours, was overjoyed to finally see his boss kicked out. He celebrated the moment, fully relieved.

——

In the following days, Michale’s life revolved around work and Tobias.

He had made frequent visits before to get to know Tobias, and now with their families collaborating, spending time together didn’t raise suspicion. Michale pursued her diligently in private but remained respectful in public, not creating any awkward situations for Tobias.

Archer often egged her on: “Sis, why not give Michale a try? I think he’s sincere about you.”

“Besides, he liked you even before he knew you were a girl.”

“I think he’s a good match for you.”

Tobias rubbed her temples, “Even if I agreed to be with him, given our family situation, do you think it’s possible for me to bring him home?”

Archer was momentarily stunned.

“I don’t even know how long I’ll have to stay in this position…” Tobias smiled bitterly.

If she had to spend her life as Tobias Carter, her relationship with Michale could only be taken so far.

She could sense his feelings…

Because he was straightforward and sincere…

Unlike her,

even the name Tobias Carter was a facade.

Perhaps, a decision should be made soon.

Archer could see that his cousin did have feelings for Michale. Otherwise, given her personality, she wouldn’t let him be around her so easily. But their situation was indeed unusual.

His cousin had already sacrificed so much. Now that she had finally met someone she liked, would it end just like this?

No way!

That can’t happen.

He had to come up with something.

Just then, Tobias’ phone vibrated. It was Michale, inviting her to view the cherry blossoms.

Normally, Tobias would probably decline, but today, she unexpectedly agreed.

Michale was overjoyed.

**

On the day of the cherry blossom viewing, Michale also invited William Hale and Hannah Johnson’s family.

When Tobias arrived, she saw Ivy scooping up cherry blossoms from the ground and sprinkling them over Vera’s head, creating a cherry blossom rain, while Michale squatted down to take pictures of the little girl.

“One more time, I didn’t capture it well.” Michale hinted to Ivy to sprinkle the petals again.

“Uncle Shaw, can you do it or not!” Ivy picked up more petals, “If you can’t, let my dad do it, he takes great pictures.”

“I can!” Michale motioned for Vera to pose properly.

Tobias stood in the shadows, quietly watching:

This is Michale’s world, always bright and sunny.

With her,

it would always be in the shadows.

Even holding hands in the sunlight might be a luxury.

Someone like Michale shouldn’t be with her.

“Young Master Carter!” Hannah Johnson was the first to notice her and waved enthusiastically. She had always been friendly and had collaborated with her before, so they were familiar with each other. “When did you get here? Why didn’t you say hi?”

“Just arrived.”

Seeing Tobias, Michale handed the camera to Isaac Shea.

Although it was known they had been spending a lot of time together lately, they had known each other for a long time. Like old foxes, seeing Michale’s cheerful, almost silly grin, Isaac immediately understood.

Though surprised, he didn’t show it.

They all understood, so after enjoying half the cherry blossoms, the group broke into smaller family units.

Ivy, always restless, ran around, with Isaac chasing after his son.

Vera, long tired, leaned against William Hale, her sleepy eyes barely open, prompting him and Zoe Payne to head back to the car.

“What’s up with Michale and that Young Master Carter?” Zoe Payne looked at William Hale after their daughter fell asleep. “Didn’t he call you before and said he liked someone…”

“He was talking about Tobias.”

William nodded.

“Does the Shaw Family know?”

“Grandpa Shaw knows, that’s why he beat Michale half to death last time.”

“…”

Zoe pursed her lips, feeling shocked and worried for Michale. This member of the Carter Family didn’t seem easy to deal with.