Chapter 21

Chapter 21 It’s Byron Cora’s gaze shot up in shock as she saw Carter standing before her, still wearing his poker face.

She remembered what Byron had mentioned during their video call about returning on Saturday.

Personally, Cora had nothing to do with Carter, and Carter didn’t seem like someone who would meddle. Byron must have sent him here.

Cora quickly glanced outside the store, and there, in a car across the road, she spotted Byron sitting in the back seat, observing her through the window.

Under the dim lighting, his presence seemed meticulously sculpted. When their eyes met, Cora felt her heart race uncontrollably.

Having faced several instances of mistreatment since her downfall, even her former lover choosing to remain indifferent, yet Byron had come to her aid multiple times.

Cora’s heart wasn’t made of stone, and she couldn’t help but feel touched.

But she couldn’t allow this feeling, knowing that with Byron’s status, he could have any woman he desired. It was impossible for him to fall in love with her.

In a moment of panic, Cora averted her gaze.

Meanwhile, Carter handed over his credit card to the shopping assistant. The black card caught immediate attention.

“I’ll process the payment for you right away, sir.”

The bank that issued this credit card was one of the businesses under the Hansen Group, but a black card was said to be the highest level, possessed only by a few prominent individuals in the country.

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Even if the shopping assistant didn’t know who Carter was, she was certain he was not someone she could afford to offend.

As Carter waited for the transaction to be completed, he nodded in acknowledgment at Jane. Mia, who stood next to Jane, went unnoticed by him.

But Mia couldn’t bear to watch Carter help Cora out. She took the initiative to approach him.

“Carter! What are you doing? This is not appropriate.” Mia was aware that Carter hailed from one of New York’s four great families and had previously addressed him as Mr. Pope.

But now, she deliberately used his first name to remind him that he was also Byron’s assistant, implying that he should be on her side.

Despite her setback with Byron, she still believed she would marry Eason and become part of the Hansen family. Carter should afford her some respect, no matter what.

Unexpectedly, like Byron, Carter didn’t consider Mia as part of the Hansens yet. “We can talk about that after you get married,” he replied, implying that Mia was only engaged and not yet a Hansen, therefore lacking the qualification to give orders.

Mia was infuriated. She grabbed Jane, looking at her expectantly for support.

In Mia’s eyes, Jane was Byron’s fiancée, and Carter should surely respect her.

But Jane had her own way of thinking. Seeing how ruthlessly Carter treated Mia, she decided not to get involved to avoid embarrassment.

On the other hand, Sally had completely forgotten the shock she felt upon seeing Carter and was now brimming with joy as she nudged Cora.

“Mr. Pope is such a great boyfriend! Arriving just in time to rescue you, how romantic.”

“No, Sally... Don’t say that.” Cora felt embarrassed. It wouldn’t have been a big deal if Sally had privately misconstrued their relationship, but with Carter right in front of them, it was downright awkward.

“Why not? It is romantic!” Sally insisted, her imagination already conjuring up scenes from all the domineering billionaire novels.

Cora, fearing that Sally might worsen the situation, chose to remain silent. Jane and Mia didn’t hear the exact words Sally said, but they still somehow grasped the situation.

So Cora and Carter were in some kind of relationship? No wonder Carter had disregarded their connection with Byron and helped Cora!

Jane felt relieved that she hadn’t come to Mia’s defense and annoyed Carter.

Although... ‘It’s only been a few days since the engagement was called off, and this woman has already found solace in Carter as a backup?’

A hint of disdain flickered in Jane’s eyes as she looked at Cora. Then she thought of something else. As Byron’s assistant, Carter had always been by his side. If Carter was here, maybe Byron had returned from his business trip and was nearby?

Jane couldn’t help but gaze out of the store in anticipation