Semua Bab Be Gentle With Me, Mr. CEO: Bab 421 - Bab 430

"Alright." Calla gave a perfunctory nod with a polite smile.At that moment, Zoey, clinging to Harlan's arm, warmly said, "Cal, you haven't visited our house since you returned. You must come over before you leave!"Hearing this, Calla knit her brows together. She thought to herself, "When did I say I was leaving? Clover is still so young, and staying at Mom's house gives us some support. I have no plans to leave."In the next instant, however, Calla realized that Zoey's words were meant for Harlan.Sure enough, Harlan frowned and asked Calla, "Are you going back to work in Greendale?"Calla didn't know how to respond for a moment.Carol heard it too and asked, "Calla, why are you going back to Greendale? You're alone with—"She stopped herself mid-sentence, glancing at Harlan, realizing she almost let something slip.After all, Calla's unmarried status as a mother wasn't exactly something to be proud of. Given the stigma attached to unmarried mothers, it would be quite embarra

Although Calla hadn't been back home for long, Carol had already asked countless times about the father of her child. Whenever she heard this question, she got a headache and didn't know how to respond. She would never mention Mercer because it would be trouble if Carol went looking for him. That said, she couldn't just fabricate a father for the child, so Calla chose to keep her mouth shut."Alright, alright, I won't ask for now, but that doesn't mean I won't ask in the future. When you're ready to talk about it, you can tell me," Carol said helplessly.Right at that moment, there was a sudden knock at the door.Calla stood up and said, "I'll get the door.""I'll go. Who would come here at this hour?" Carol muttered as she turned and went to open the door.When Carol opened it, she saw Zoey standing there, dressed to the nines. Carol couldn't help but feel a little puzzled. "The banquet's over, right? Why did you come here? Where's Larissa?"Zoey's face was etched with frustra

Without a moment's hesitation, Zoey seized Carol's hand and wept bitterly. "Mom, our family and Harlan's were never a good match. All his relatives are people of considerable standing. I've been busting my butt for the Englers for two years, trying to do everything right. Luckily, my in-laws are open-minded and haven't looked down on my background. "But what Cal did today embarrassed my in-laws. They're even starting to regard me with disdain. If it weren't for Larissa, they would have said much harsher things. I feel so ashamed. Mom, how could Cal do something like this?"At this point, even Carol believed Zoey's words. She turned to Calla with disappointment. "Calla, how could you do such a thing? I know you're tight on money now, but you could have told me. I may not have much money, but I've saved the allowance you've been giving me every month. I can afford a small gold bracelet!"Calla took a step back, looking at her mother with hurt in her eyes. "Mom, are you taking Zoe

At that moment, Clover, who was sleeping in bed, suddenly woke up and started crying.The sound of her daughter crying snapped Calla back to reality. Calla knew that now was not the time to be overwhelmed by sorrow. She still had her daughter, who was still so small and dependent on her. She had to be strong and pull herself together.The next moment, Calla quickly walked over to the bed and picked Clover up. When a baby cried, it was usually because they were either hungry or needed a diaper change.Calla checked Clover's diaper, and sure enough, Clover had wet herself. She changed Clover's diaper, then held her close and nursed her daughter.Once Clover latched onto Calla's breast, she stopped crying and a sweet, innocent smile appeared.The sight of Clover's smile infused Calla with renewed determination. For Clover's sake, she couldn't allow this unfounded accusation to stand. Her reputation was important because it would affect her child in the future.Calla didn't know when

Calla extended an arm, intending to close the sliding door. She didn't want to hear any more of their baseless gossiping. She hoped Carol wouldn't overhear anything when she returned from grocery shopping.But before her hand even touched the door, she heard Carol's voice from downstairs.With a shopping basket on her arm, Carol pointed at the gossiping women. She unleashed a torrent of scolding."What are you all gossiping about again? You guys truly have nothing better to do. Why are you so nosy about our family affairs? You better watch your mouths. You'll get what's coming for talking like that." Calla quietly peeked downstairs. Carol had indeed returned from grocery shopping.She had never seen her mother so fierce before. In the past, when faced with gossip about her family, Carol would either suppress her anger or offer a mild rebuke. Never before had she displayed such ferocity.Calla knew that Carol cared most about her own and her daughters' reputations. Before, their