Love After Divorce: His Belated Affection Book - Chapter: 1201

A shadow of disappointment crossed Kristine’s features as she pressed, “Have you asked your dad for money? You need to get your face treated quickly. Imagine if it gets scarred.”

Torn, Erin decided to come clean. “Dad only gave me money for facial treatments. He told me to manage it myself and not to squander it.”

Erin preferred to be upfront with Kristine about the money now rather than having to explain herself later.

Kristine’s eyes sparkled with a hint of excitement as she inquired, “How much did your dad give you this time? Hand over your card, and I’ll handle the finances for your facial care.”

Erin, with a look of mixed emotions, responded, “Just a hundred thousand dollars, which is barely enough for the facial treatments. I think it’s best if I hold onto it. Tomorrow, I plan to visit a beauty salon to clear up the acne on my face.”

Dissatisfaction flickered in Kristine’s eyes. She rose and fixed Erin with a stern gaze, questioning sharply, “Are you still holding a grudge against me for paying off that high- interest debt without consulting you first? Haven’t you grown in your thinking over the years? If word got out about that debt, we’d be ruined. Are you really going to pick a fight with me over this?”

Kristine had nurtured Erin, knowing Erin very well. But Erin was all grown up now, no longer within Kristine’s grasp to control.

Erin shook her head quickly, assuring, “Mom, I get where you’re coming from, but dad was clear about using the money for my face. Plus, I’ve already told him the date of my appointment. If there’s no change about my face by then, he’s bound to question it.”

Erin’s expression was as earnest and compliant as it ever was, which eased the skepticism in Kristine’s eyes, and with a hesitant nod, she conceded.

“Just keep in mind that the Brooks family is our main support now. If you run into any issues, head straight to them,” Kristine instructed.

After a moment, Kristine couldn’t help but express her frustration, “What is it with your dad? He’s the president of the company, for heaven’s sake. Why would he only give you a hundred thousand?”

Erin bit her lower lip, nodding. She seemed as meek as ever. But beneath that obedient exterior, her thoughts were in turmoil.

Erin was overwhelmed with regret. Duane had shown much more concern for her than Kristine had. The moment Duane came into her life, she should have walked away from Kristine and chosen Duane with no second thoughts. By sticking to Kristine’s side, she granted Kristine the chance to exploit her well-being to frame Giselle, leaving her in such a miserable state.

Silence hung in Erin’s ward for a while, the air thick with unsaid words.

Erin and Kristine harbored hidden agendas, yet honesty was nowhere to be found.

Giselle’s brow creased as she gazed at the punctual delivery of a large bouquet of white roses.

The delivery man was the same, the timing was the same, and now the color of the roses had changed from yesterday’s red to today’s white. What was the sender trying to say with these roses?

Giselle bit her lip thoughtfully, looking up at the delivery man. “Is it possible to refuse the flowers? Or perhaps, you could pass them on to someone else?”

Today’s bouquet also featured ninety-nine flowers, their petals soft and new. Such a lavish arrangement would easily fetch over a thousand dollars.

The delivery man scratched his head, looking uneasy. “Miss Murphy, this order is specific to you, requested by the customer. I need to deliver it, or I’ll face complaints and consequences. If you don’t want the flowers, maybe talk to the man who sent them and ask him to stop.”

A fleeting shadow of complexity crossed Giselle’s gaze. “Could you give me any details about this man? I’m at a loss.”

If Giselle couldn’t unearth any leads, she’d have no choice but to tap into the flower shop’s security feed. The sender’s choice to hide his identity and send such an over- the-top gift made Giselle question his motives.

Linda hurried over and accepted the bouquet, searching through it until she found another handwritten note. “Hope Miss Murphy’s day is as pleasant as these flowers.”

Linda read the card with a grimace, instinctively rubbing her arms as chills ran down her spine.