Chapter 2 The Unforeseen Encounter

Chelsey and Darren hadn't spoken since their acrimonious parting that day.

On the day Chelsey ventured out for her blind date, she alighted from the car and was greeted by the sight of a building with an ancient style. A headache instantly throbbed in her temples.

It was Misty, Trevor's domain.

Gabriella had mentioned it, but Chelsey, determined to refuse, hadn't listened.

Suddenly, an inexplicable panic gripped her. Instinctively, she glanced towards Trevor's reserved parking spot.

It was vacant.

She exhaled a breath of relief, but just as she was about to look away, a Bentley glided in from the side road.

The license plate was unmistakable, recognized at first glance.

As Chelsey prepared to leave with Gabriella, the latter spotted the car and halted her. Gabriella whispered, "It's Trevor."

The car came to a stop. Killian Gorden, Trevor's secretary, emerged and opened the back door.

Chelsey turned her head away but caught Trevor's exit from the corner of her eye. He removed his Bluetooth headset and handed a document to Killian with one hand, speaking briefly before approaching.

"Gabriella."

His voice was deep, pleasant, yet cold.

Despite this, Gabriella, usually scorned by the Morris family, was flattered. "Hello, Trevor. Here for dinner?"

Trevor neither confirmed nor denied, his gaze drifting to Chelsey, who averted her face. With a causal demeanor, he inquired, "And you, Gabriella?"

Chelsey clung to the hem of Gabriella's coat, but the latter, undeterred, replied with a smile, "I've arranged a date for Chelsey. We're having dinner here."

Trevor chuckled, his words dripping with irony, "Chelsey is certainly at the age to marry."

Cold sweat formed on Chelsey's back. When he mentioned her name, his voice was pleasant but left her breathless.

Since their last discordant meeting, Trevor and Chelsey hadn't communicated, silently agreeing on their breakup.

Trevor, ever the proud man, surrounded by admirers, would never easily bow to anyone.

Now, seeing him so relaxed while she felt utterly humiliated made her wish she could vanish into thin air.

Gabriella glanced at Chelsey and snorted. "See? Even Trevor thinks so. How long do you plan to stay single?"

She then turned to Trevor. "Why don't you join us? It'd be a great chance for you to help evaluate Chelsey's date."

"Mom!" Chelsey couldn't bear it. "Stop it. He... Trevor is busy."

Trevor rotated his watch with his right hand, glancing at her flushed face. "I have dinner plans. Otherwise, I'd gladly help Chelsey assess the young man."

His words struck Chelsey's heart like a blow.

Barely able to breathe, she hurriedly led Gabriella away.

After a few steps, Gabriella grumbled, "Why didn't you greet Trevor? The Morris family is in his hands now. Pleasing him is more beneficial than anything. If he holds a grudge, what will you do?"

"He's been against me for like forever," Chelsey replied.

Gabriella didn't catch her words and was about to ask when the door before them opened.

"Mrs. Morris, you're finally here." A plump, elegantly dressed middle-aged woman emerged. Her sly manner of speaking made Chelsey uneasy.

Gabriella approached her with a smile. "Mrs. Copeland, sorry for the delay. Traffic was terrible."

Rayna Copeland and Gabriella exchanged pleasantries before Rayna turned her keen eyes to Chelsey.

She approached Chelsey with a familiar air. "You must be Chelsey. So beautiful and slender, with such tender skin!"

Chelsey instinctively recoiled but Rayna's grip was firm as she pulled Chelsey into the room while chattering.

"Miss Howard and my son, Yosef, are of similar age. They should get along splendidly. Yosef, come say hello to Miss Howard."

Chelsey looked up to see a young man in trendy clothes with a crew cut, an ear stud, and a tattoo peeking from his wrist. He was engrossed in his phone, a mocking smile on his face.

When he saw Chelsey, his eyes brightened. He tossed his phone aside and stood up.

"Hello, Miss Howard. My name is Yosef Copeland." He smiled, extending his hand, the tattoo of a black snake clearly visible.

She recognized it as a black mamba, a kind of viper.

Chelsey, afraid of snakes, frowned but, out of courtesy, quickly shook his hand. "Hello, I'm Chelsey Howard."

"How do you spell your first name?"

"C-H-E-L-S-E-Y."

Yosef pulled out a chair, looking at Chelsey's pink ear. "As lovely as you are. Please, have a seat, Miss Howard."

Chelsey wanted to sit far from him, but Gabriella saw through her and pressed her into the seat with a smile. "You young folks have lots to discuss. Sit closer."

During dinner, Yosef was attentive and considerate, but Chelsey was distracted, pondering how to convey she had no intentions of marrying.

Gabriella set down her napkin, addressing Chelsey, "I'm going shopping with Mrs. Copeland. You can go home on your own."

Rayna, ever astute, added, "Yosef, please drive Miss Howard home."