My First Love Died, Now My Step Uncle Wants Me-Chapter 8: A Covetous Desire
"Take it!"
The two simple words carried the undeniable pressure of a man in power.
Nina Wynn lowered her head, not reaching out to take it.
Having been in the Rhodes Family for ten years, she knew, more or less, what kind of person Caleb Rhodes was.
A man like him bestowed and rescinded his favor at will, every act of goodwill concealing a cruel barb.
A casual word from him could make the whole world see you in a new light.
Likewise, a careless word from him could also make your life a living hell.
Over the years, Nina Wynn had experienced this more than once.
Back then, Caleb Rhodes’s words, "Treat this place as your own home," had given her a roof over her head. But later, because he’d said, "She has nothing to do with the Rhodes Family," she was bullied relentlessly for several years.
Caleb Rhodes’s favor was given casually and taken back just as decisively.
Similarly, his pity was both a blessing and a curse.
She wanted nothing more to do with it.
She didn’t understand why he was suddenly showing her kindness again, but the dangerous and ambiguous atmosphere in the air made her want to flee.
However, her intuition told her it was best to accept the card.
She bit her lip and took the card. "Thank you, Uncle."
Caleb Rhodes seemed quite satisfied with her action. He nodded. "If you think going back to the Rhodes Family estate is too far, rent a better place near campus."
His tone was light. "You can buy a new cat."
’A cat?’
Nina Wynn froze for a moment, then understood what he meant.
Three years ago, the cat she had raised for a long time was poisoned. As it happened, everyone in the Rhodes Family was out except for Caleb Rhodes.
She had summoned all the courage she had to cry and beg him to call a vet to save her cat, but Caleb Rhodes had only glanced indifferently at the dying animal in her arms before leaving in a hurry.
Nina Wynn would never forget that look—heartless, cold, and filled with a disdainful indifference to life.
Afterward, the cat died, and not long after, Caleb Rhodes left for Aridia.
’So, am I to understand that he’s trying to compensate for what happened back then?’
Her fists clenched and then relaxed. Nina Wynn said with deliberate nonchalance, "There’s no need. I don’t really remember it anyway."
Perhaps she was being too obvious. Caleb Rhodes frowned slightly. "That time, I was in a hurry..."
"Uncle," for the first time, Nina Wynn cut him off. "I don’t really remember anything from the past, so let’s not bring it up again."
She put heavy emphasis on the word "anything."
’Anything from the past... she doesn’t remember?’
Caleb Rhodes’s thin lips slowly pressed into a straight line. The already frigid temperature in the room seemed to drop a few more degrees.
In the flickering light, the air seemed to take on an unspoken, suggestive quality.
Ambiguous, dangerous, yet tempting one to reach out and touch.
After an unknown amount of time, Caleb Rhodes spoke. "It’s getting late. Go get some rest."
Nina Wynn felt as if she’d been granted amnesty. Her clenched fists finally relaxed.
She mumbled, "Good night," and fled into her room.
Caleb Rhodes’s gaze fell on the closed door.
He didn’t need to guess to imagine the bewildered expression on the young woman’s face behind the door.
As helpless as a small, young animal.
Remembering her soft, timid voice as she said the two words "Good night," a dark, unreadable emotion suddenly clouded his cold eyes.
The rain had stopped by the time they woke up the next day. Just as Caleb Rhodes stepped out of his room, he saw Willson Lawson come in, holding breakfast in a paper bag.
As he changed his shoes, he whispered, "Third Lord Master, why did Miss Wynn leave so early?"
Caleb Rhodes, who was fastening his cufflinks, paused. ’She left?’
"Also, I saw her throw something in the trash can. It was all shiny and gold, so I got curious and took a look after she left. It was a bank card."
Caleb Rhodes’s expression changed instantly. He stared at the bank card in Willson Lawson’s hand with a bone-chilling coldness.
It was the very same one he had given Nina Wynn last night.
’She actually threw it in the trash?!’
He slowly narrowed his eyes as a wave of anger washed over him.
’Excellent!’
’Something he, Caleb Rhodes, had given away was actually thrown out like trash!’
’That’s a first!’
’So stubborn. He’d like to see just how long she could hold out!’
Just then, Willson Lawson added, "By the way, Third Lord Master, the results from that investigation you requested are in. The person from that night was indeed Miss Wynn."
He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Miss Wynn... she works at Nightshade Bar. Part-time."
Caleb Rhodes’s eyes narrowed sharply. A trace of viciousness escaped with his every breath, tingeing the surrounding air with a dangerous aura.
Willson Lawson didn’t quite understand his sudden mood swing. After so many years at Caleb Rhodes’s side, this was the first time he had seen the man’s expression change so drastically over a single sentence.
But he didn’t dare ask why.
After resting at home for four or five days, Nina Wynn finally recovered.
She quickly packed a few things and went to the Eleventh Hospital.
Hugh Chapman was overjoyed to see her.
"Sister, you haven’t come to see me in days."
Nina Wynn patted the boy’s head and smiled. "I’ve been busy with work. Hugh is a big boy now and listens to the doctors, which makes things much easier for me."
Hugh Chapman took a sip of the soup Nina Wynn had brought and asked in a low voice, "Sister, will they really be able to find a bone marrow match for me?"
Nina Wynn’s expression darkened, but she quickly forced a smile. "Of course, they will. With today’s technology, they’re sure to find one."
Hugh Chapman added, "Then for my brother’s death anniversary next week, I want to go with you, Sister. I was really sad I couldn’t go last year because I was sick."
Just then, Nina Wynn’s phone rang. She glanced at it. "Hugh, I have to get back to school."
Hugh Chapman winked at Nina Wynn. "Sister-in-law, you work so hard. When I get better, I’ll take care of you."
Nina Wynn smiled and pinched his cheek. "You little rascal, stop spouting nonsense. Just focus on getting better. I’ll come see you tomorrow."
She only found out when she got back to school that her task for the day was to greet the investors from the pharmaceutical group partnering with the university.
A light green, form-fitting cheongsam hugged Nina Wynn’s soft, curvy figure. Her mid-back length, ink-black hair was held in place at the back of her head with a jade-green, imitation-jade hairpin.
The entire look was bursting with youthfulness, yet exuded a graceful and delicate charm. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
Noelle Landon poked Nina Wynn’s waist. "Hey, you’ve lost weight again. Are you working yourself to death for money again? I’m telling you, Evan Chapman has been dead for years, and you two were just friends. Why are you acting like his grieving widow?"
Seeing Nina Wynn remain silent, she sighed. "Evan Chapman’s death back then wasn’t entirely your fault. You don’t have to go this far..."
As she spoke, several black Bentleys slowly rolled into view.
The car doors opened, and a man with an imposing aura appeared in Nina Wynn’s line of sight, surrounded by a group of university administrators.
A fine white shirt outlined the man’s lean waist, and black trousers encased a pair of impossibly long legs. He was aloof and noble, yet exuded an intimidating presence.
Nina Wynn’s pupils contracted, and she quickly lowered her gaze.
’Caleb Rhodes?’
’He’s the investor for the Regent University pharmaceutical group?’
Just then, Caleb Rhodes’s cold gaze swept over, landing on Nina Wynn’s small face, her eyes downcast.
When his eyes fell upon the fine figure revealed by her cheongsam, a layer of frost was suddenly added to his gaze.
Even from across the crowd, Nina Wynn felt her scalp tingle. She subconsciously tugged at the hem of her dress, not daring to look up.
Soon, Caleb Rhodes walked right up to Nina Wynn.
His cold, heavy gaze lingered on her. When he saw her fair neck exposed to the air, his hand suddenly reached out.
