Chapter 1666

Just as she was about to answer Carter’s question, there came the sound of rapid footsteps outside of the study.

Immediately afterward, Camille came into the study with a hurried expression. Camille’s expression changed visibly when she saw Shirley, but it was quickly replaced with a smile.

“Jenny, you’re really back! I haven’t seen you for a long time. I have much to tell you. Come to my room first.”

Shirley glanced at Carter who nodded slowly in response. Then, she turned and followed Camille.

As soon as she entered Camille’s room, Camille ordered with a chilly tone.

“Close the door.” Shirley closed the door obediently.

As soon as the door closed, however, Camille’s questioning voice came, filled with displeasure.

“Shirley, it’s really you. What are you doing back here?”

Shirley was stunned by the sudden change of attitude. She could recall that Camille was very fond of her. She even thought that she would miss her if they had not met in a few years. Camille’s current attitude baffled her.

Regardless, Shirley still put on a smile. “Mom,” she called out, her heart racing furiously.

“Don’t you call me mother! I’m not your mother!” Camille interrupted, displeased. “What are you doing here? You’re not welcome here. You should leave on your own later. Don’t make me have to kick you out.”

Camille was firm, treating Shirley like she was an enemy.

On the surface, Shirley seemed to be a strong and cold-blooded woman. Some might even say that she was vicious and merciless. Being here, in the presence of the Grays, however, she had no temper.

She even seemed a little humble.

Since she had been in Gray Manor for all these years, she knew what Camille was like, of course.

There must be a reason behind her treatment of Shirley.

“Shirley, the Grays have treated you pretty well, right? I’ve treated you well, yes? What about you though? Do you remember the day when you were determined to leave this family?”

The day when she was determined to leave this family…

A gloom gradually crept into Shirley’s eyes. An emptiness instantly formed in her heart.

Amidst the silence, Camille waved her hand in annoyance. “Forget it. I don’t want to say more. Hurry up and leave. Don’t come to find Carter again. Your relationship with the Grays has already ended.”

After Camille said that, she walked straight to the door and opened it without even looking at Shirley.

“Leave.”

Shirley moved toward the door with leaden steps. “I’m sorry,” she said softly as she passed Camille.

Camille turned her face away, not wanting to hear her apology.

Shirley did not stay long. She walked into the yard, feeling depressed.

Seeing the door directly in front of her, she could not help but stop and look up, toward the location of Carter’s study.

The snow fell heavily and silently. The snowflakes piled up on her body, the cold piercing her skin, yet she could barely notice any of it. Motionlessly, she stared in one direction.

Carter stood in front of the French window of the study. Although the sky had turned dark, he did not turn on the lights.

He was enjoying the warm air, a cup of tea, already cold, in his hands. Indifference in his eyes, he glimpsed at Shirley who was standing in the yard, willingly receiving the beating from the wind and snow.

‘No matter how helpless or pitiful, Shirley, it’s all because you owe me.’

Carter silently turned around, not sparing another look at Shirley.

As he was sitting at his desk, his gaze unconsciously fell onto the apple-sized crystal ball.

Memories flooded his mind, but he quickly put a halt to his recollection.

The memories that he desperately wanted to hypnotize himself into forgetting.

Thinking back, it had been almost eight years…