My First Love Died, Now My Step Uncle Wants Me-Chapter 20: He Will Take Responsibility

Caleb Rhodes braced his hands on either side of her body and said in a low voice, "Nina Wynn, you brought this on yourself!"

As he spoke, his head slowly lowered toward hers.

Nina was so frightened she almost screamed.

Just then, Caleb Rhodes’s phone suddenly rang.

The ringtone wasn’t loud, but in the quiet, suffocating space, it sounded exceptionally piercing.

Caleb Rhodes ground his teeth in annoyance, answered the call, and left the room.

When he returned, three hours had passed.

Nina Wynn had already fallen asleep.

She looked very docile in her sleep. Her lips were soft and pink, looking even more alluring.

He stood by the bed and watched her for a while before changing back into his pajamas.

As he was putting his clothes away, he seemed to remember something, picked them up, and sniffed them.

A chill then crept into his eyes, and he turned and threw the clothes into the trash can.

Just then, Nina Wynn’s phone vibrated. She rolled over, mumbled softly, "Evan, don’t be naughty," and fell back asleep.

Caleb Rhodes’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. ’Dreaming about that cat again? Does she like it that much?’

He bent down, picked Nina Wynn up, moved her further into the bed, and lay down beside her.

Then, he pulled Nina Wynn’s entire body into his arms.

When Nina Wynn woke up the next day, the housekeeper had already arrived.

The hospital room looked different from the day before. The curtains were wide open, and sunlight spilled onto the countertop, looking fresh and clean.

A crystal vase sat on the counter, filled with a large bouquet of white roses that were fresh yet regal.

In the center of the room, a small air purifier was running, having almost completely eliminated the smell of disinfectant.

Nina Wynn was not a morning person and stared dazedly at the housekeeper.

The housekeeper’s face was unchanged from yesterday, as stern and emotionless as a block of ice. Seeing that Nina Wynn was awake, she brought over the breakfast that had been prepared in advance.

Nina Wynn glanced over. There were several types of congee alone, along with steamed egg custard, milk, soy milk with fried dough sticks, and an assortment of delicate side dishes that covered the small table.

Nina Wynn frowned. "I can’t eat this much."

The housekeeper said impassively, "This isn’t just for you."

With that, she glanced at Nina Wynn and handed her a paper bag that was by the door. "These are your clothes for today. You should change."

Nina Wynn looked down at her clothes and realized she was still wearing yesterday’s dress. It was hopelessly wrinkled after a night of sleep and clearly couldn’t be worn again.

Nina Wynn felt a pang of regret. ’If it’s wrinkled like this, can I still return it after getting it dry-cleaned?’

Noticing her strange expression, the housekeeper pushed the paper bag toward her again. "Miss Wynn, please change your clothes first."

Nina Wynn had no choice but to take the bag to the bathroom and quickly rinse off.

Today’s outfit was a light blue set, more girlish than the two from yesterday. It had a large collar with a lace bow underneath. Nina Wynn glanced at the price tag, and her hand trembled: 288,000.

’Are all rich people this impulsive? Just buying one outfit that costs as much as a regular family’s salary for one or even two years.’

’Did Caleb Rhodes pick this out too?’

She had the urge to rush out and return the clothes right then and there. The money would cover Hugh Chapman’s treatment for the next two years. But the housekeeper was standing guard right outside the door, and the clothes were definitely Caleb Rhodes’s idea, so Nina Wynn had no choice but to put them on.

After getting dressed and putting her dirty clothes back in the bag, she noticed there was also an exquisitely wrapped box inside.

She hesitated for a moment before opening it.

Inside was a light blue crystal headband, even more exquisite than yesterday’s. The translucent gems glittered nobly under the light.

Next to the headband lay a light blue gemstone bracelet with a pale green, flower-shaped charm. It looked regal, yet possessed an understated elegance and delicate beauty.

Nina Wynn liked them very much, but she didn’t know why Caleb Rhodes was suddenly giving her these things. Besides, she didn’t dare accept something so expensive, so she put the jewelry back where it was.

When she came out, the housekeeper saw her and nodded, her tone as formulaic as ever. "This brand of clothing suits you very well, Miss Wynn."

Nina Wynn asked cautiously, "These clothes are so expensive. Isn’t it a waste? Can they be returned?"

The housekeeper stated impassively, "No. Whether the Third Lord Master’s clothes are bought or custom-made, they are always stitched with his personal insignia in an inconspicuous place. Besides, he rarely wears clothes bought from a store."

As if she knew what Nina Wynn was thinking, the housekeeper continued, "Anything the Third Lord Master orders to be bought, be it clothes or jewelry, will have a hidden mark on it. Even if a shop were to accept it for return, they would notify us." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Nina Wynn wanted to ask, ’If someone receives a gift from Caleb Rhodes and wants to sell it for emergency cash, does that mean they can’t? It can only be kept as a display piece?’

But in the end, she didn’t ask. She handed the bag to the housekeeper. "The things inside are for me, right? I can’t accept them. The clothes are one thing, but the jewelry is far too valuable."

The housekeeper glanced at her and said impassively, "You can return it to him yourself in a little while."

’In a little while?’

’Caleb Rhodes is coming?’

Nina Wynn jumped in fright. Her pleasant mood instantly plummeted.

Looking at the table full of breakfast, Nina Wynn suddenly understood. This was all prepared for Caleb Rhodes; she was just an afterthought.

She clutched the hem of her dress, her heart sinking bit by bit into ice-cold water. She didn’t understand. ’Has Caleb Rhodes gone mad?’

’This is a hospital! A hospital!’

’Is he planning to eat, sleep, and live here? He might as well just move his whole house over.’

The reason for all this couldn’t possibly be that Caleb Rhodes pitied or sympathized with her. It was even less likely that he considered her part of the Rhodes Family.

She clearly remembered Caleb Rhodes telling her more than once that she wasn’t a member of the Rhodes Family, that she had no connection to them whatsoever.

Because of those words, she had been bullied for years, a situation that only improved slightly once she started college.

’Could it be... he really intends to take responsibility for what happened three years ago?’

At that thought, Nina Wynn’s palms began to sweat again.

She also didn’t understand why her fear of Caleb Rhodes was so intense. She didn’t dare hate him or dislike him; she only dared to resist in secret.

Just as she was thinking this, Caleb Rhodes walked in.

He wore a white silk shirt. Though it bore no visible brand, its exceptional cut and material gave him a noble, coldly detached air.

Although she was afraid of him, Nina Wynn had to admit that Caleb Rhodes was a natural at wearing clothes. Especially in shirts and suits, he could put any poster model to shame.

Caleb Rhodes’s gaze lingered on her for a few seconds before he said flatly, "Since you’re awake, come have breakfast."

Nina Wynn didn’t understand why he would come here for breakfast. Whether at the Rhodes Family estate or an outside restaurant, anywhere would be better than eating in a hospital. ’Is he out of his mind?’

Just then, Caleb Rhodes suddenly looked at her, his tone frigid. "Are you cursing me in your head?"

Nina Wynn flinched and subconsciously hid her hands behind her back. "No, Uncle, I wouldn’t dare," she said nervously.

Caleb Rhodes continued to stare at her intently. His gaze was chilling, roving over Nina Wynn’s body inch by inch, making her scalp tingle. After a long moment, she managed to say, "Uncle, I really wouldn’t dare."

Caleb Rhodes retracted his gaze. "It’s the third day. You can stop eating liquid foods at noon. Tell Warner Zimmerman what you’d like to eat."

Warner Zimmerman was the housekeeper.

With her head down, Nina Wynn said in a small voice, "Uncle, I’m much better now. You don’t have to come see me anymore. And War... the housekeeper doesn’t need to come either. I can take care of myself. This place... this place is too far from your company, it’s not convenient..."

Before she could finish, Caleb Rhodes’s expression changed. He reached out and seized Nina Wynn’s chin!