My First Love Died, Now My Step Uncle Wants Me-Chapter 17: Stunning

Thinking of this, Nina Wynn couldn’t help but sniff the clothes before letting out a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, they didn’t carry his scent. Otherwise, she truly wouldn’t have dared to put them on.

The lingerie was a perfect fit, exactly her size.

Nina wasn’t tall—only five-foot-three—and was quite slender, but she was surprisingly buxom where it counted. Weighing just under a hundred pounds, she wore a C-cup.

On top of that, she had a narrow waist, long legs, and a perky rear, which meant the panties rarely matched the size of her bra. Whenever she bought lingerie, she had to ask the salesperson to mix and match sizes from different sets.

So she was somewhat surprised to see this perfectly fitting set of lingerie.

But when she saw the price tags on the two dresses, she froze.

There were two dresses, one white and one light blue. One was priced at 88,000, the other at 128,000.

Nina stared at the price tags, and her expression grew somber.

’Where did he buy these dresses? Can they be returned?’

Still, the fabric was so soft and comfortable. As far as she could remember, she had never worn clothes made of such fine material.

Just then, the housekeeper called to her from outside, "Miss Wynn, are you alright?"

Nina could only reply, "I’m fine," and put on the white dress.

The youthful dress had a deceptively simple design that perfectly hugged her figure, accentuating her narrow waist and long legs. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

After getting dressed, she glanced back at the bag and noticed a small, exquisite box. She opened it to find a headband inside.

The delicate headband was inlaid with a row of small white pearls, flanked by glittering diamond fragments. Each stone radiated a soft luster. The craftsmanship was exquisite—it was obviously expensive.

Nina looked for a price tag but couldn’t find one, so she gave up.

She let her hair down to fall over her shoulders, using the headband to sweep the loose strands from her face.

When she walked out, a flash of awe crossed the housekeeper’s otherwise impassive face before she quickly composed herself.

Her tone was as stiff as her expression. "Miss Wynn, the Third Lord Master has instructed me to take care of you for the next two days. Please let me know if there is anything you wish to eat or require."

Nina knew this was Caleb Rhodes’s decision and that objecting would be pointless, so she simply nodded.

While the housekeeper was out fetching water, Nina took a picture of the dress and sent it to Noelle Landon. She asked where the brand’s boutique was and if the dress could be returned, but she received no reply.

The housekeeper’s presence made Nina uncomfortable, but there was nothing to be done. She picked up her phone and started scrolling through videos and news.

Scrolling to the Elysian City news, she saw extensive media coverage about the CEO of the Nash Group returning to the country.

The reports detailed the vast scope of the Nash Group’s operations, which ranged from home appliances, department stores, and jewelry to oil, natural gas, shipping, and aviation. The articles hinted that the Group’s reach extended deep into many of the nation’s key sectors. Its economic power had long since surpassed the bounds of Oriens, and its market value was considered incalculable.

Nina had no interest in any of this. All she knew was that the Rhodes Family was far beyond any ordinary wealthy clan. Even in Elysian City, the so-called Princelings, who were usually so arrogant, could do nothing but bow and scrape before Caleb Rhodes.

Caleb Rhodes was notoriously private. Despite the extensive coverage, not a single clear, front-facing photo of him had ever been leaked. The few pictures that did exist showed only his profile or his back, and they were always blurred.

Inevitably, however, the entertainment tabloids were filled with plenty of gossip about him.

One photo showed the famous actress Vivian Landon holding Caleb Rhodes’s arm, her smile triumphant. Even though Caleb’s face was blurred, Nina recognized him instantly.

Nina stared at the photo, her thoughts turning to Rosalind Lowell.

’Rosalind loves Caleb so much... Will seeing these photos make her depression worse?’

Then again, it didn’t seem to have much to do with her. After a few more moments, she grew bored. Her head felt heavier and heavier, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.

Whether from prolonged exhaustion or the medicine she’d taken, she fell into a particularly deep sleep. When she finally awoke, the sky outside was dark.

The lights in the ward were off. Only a sliver of light filtered through the partially drawn curtains, lending the room a faint glow.

Nina sat up and stared blankly for a moment. Then she checked her phone and saw it was already eleven at night.

’Where’s the housekeeper?’

’Has she left?’

Thinking of this, Nina sighed in relief. Just as she was about to get out of bed, she heard the sound of the door opening.

A tall, lean figure stepped inside. His black suit outlined a trim waist, and he seemed to almost melt into the darkness.

Even though the light was dim, Nina still recognized that it was Caleb Rhodes.

His presence was too commanding; even standing silent in the shadows, he was impossible to ignore.

Panic seized Nina. She froze, unsure of what to do.

’It’s already eleven at night. What is he doing here? Didn’t the news say the Nash Group was hosting a huge banquet tonight? Why would he come here?’

"You’re awake?"

Caleb Rhodes’s voice was deep. In the quiet, dark room, it sounded somewhat hoarse and vaguely intimate.

Nina’s heart hammered in her chest. She quickly pulled her feet back onto the bed, leaned against the headboard, and pretended to be asleep.

Caleb Rhodes walked forward, reached out to touch her forehead, and said in a low voice, "The fever’s gone down."

Nina didn’t understand what he was talking about. ’I don’t have a fever, do I?’

Still, the cool touch of his hand was surprisingly soothing.

The thought startled her. She instinctively jerked her head away from his touch, but slammed it against the metal bed rail. She hissed in pain, her head ringing from the impact.

In the darkness, Caleb’s hand froze in mid-air. He stared at her, his gaze heavy and cold—like a predator in the night watching its prey.

Pinned by his stare, Nina was too nervous to move a muscle. Her mind raced with terrifying possibilities, leaving her too afraid to make a sound.

The atmosphere was eerie and intimate, so heavy it was suffocating.

Finally, Nina couldn’t stand it any longer and whispered, "Uncle."

Caleb’s eyes flickered. He sat down beside her, bracing one hand on the bed while his other reached for her forehead. Unable to dodge, Nina could only let him touch her.

But at such a close distance, his scent inevitably filled her senses.

This time, the crisp scent of cedar was mingled with the smell of alcohol and a faint, unidentifiable fragrance. Nina’s stomach clenched, and she turned her head away in discomfort.

But the moment she moved, Caleb forcefully held her still against the headboard.

His voice was low and rough, terrifying Nina. "Don’t move!"