The Unspoken Affection

Chapter 2 Have It Your Way

Charles took in the shocked expression on Iris' face.

Had her mother never told her who she was marrying?

No way. He quickly dismissed the thought. He had seen that woman ecstatically accept the diamond necklace from his father with his own eyes.

"How long are you gonna stand there looking like an i***t?" Charles pulled out his phone. "If you don't want to go, just tell your mom!"

Iris clenched her teeth, sneering as she walked past him. "Why wouldn't I? Such a great opportunity..." She was curious to see how her so-called stepfather would explain intercepting her thesis.

Charles followed her with a stern look, his opinion of his stepsister sinking lower. Great opportunity? Yeah, for these ordinary girls, marrying a billionaire was definitely a ticket to the good life.

Charles' car was parked right outside the building, alone. Iris had expected a convoy of bodyguards—just like in the TV shows.

"You look disappointed."

"I thought you rich kids didn't drive yourselves."

Charles shot back without missing a beat, "I thought you regular girls knew how to buckle a seatbelt."

Oops... Iris realized she was so flustered by his attitude that she had forgotten to buckle up.

Realizing that the snark wouldn't stop anytime soon, Iris mentally labeled her stepbrother as immature and kept quiet.

She didn't want to get thrown out of the car before confronting her so-called stepfather.

In tense silence, the car wound through desolate mountain roads, finally entering a private estate.

Iris watched the passing shadows of trees and suddenly remembered she had taken a recorder with her before entering the salon. She had originally done it for her safety, but now she realized it might have captured something important.

The car slowly entered a private manor. It wasn't the right time to check the recording. She discreetly turned off the recorder and tucked it away.

Iris was awestruck by the towering, opulent mansion, so much so that she didn't immediately recognize her mother waiting outside. Compared to the enormous house, she seemed like a mini-doll in a giant toy box.

But the way Tessa craned her neck to look reminded Iris of that winter morning years ago when social services took her away. She was only seven, looking back from the shaking van as Tessa's figure faded from view, a memory that haunted her for years. Now, it merged with the sight of her tiny figure outside the mansion.

No matter what, her mom was her only family in the world. Iris had no reason not to forgive a struggling single mother.

Tessa never said it, but Iris knew her mother worried about how her job in nightclubs might affect her daughter's life at an elite school.

Charles parked at the end of the driveway, and a servant immediately took over.

Seeing her daughter, Tessa ran over and hugged her, complaining like a little girl, "Iris! It's such a shame you didn't come to the wedding. I couldn't introduce you to the Ortegas."

Then, she turned to Charles with a flattering smile. "They're all as impressive as he is. You'll make some great friends."

Iris had already wiped her tears dry. She looked at her mother, who was chirpy and excited like a little bird, feeling a mix of emotions. Even she could see the slight downturn of Charles' lips, catching his disdain and disgust. How could Tessa be so oblivious?

Damn it, why should she worry about Tessa's marriage? It was her choice, after all. But Iris could also make her own choices. "I don't need to be friends with any Ortegas."

Charles snorted, "Because you were going to be one soon enough?"

"Me? Ortega?" Iris couldn't quite describe her feelings. Maybe it was the massive mansion or how tiny she and her mother felt in comparison, but when choosing between politeness and dignity, she didn't hesitate to pick the latter. "If you managed to find me on a thousand-acre campus, you should know my name is Iris Evans, not Iris Ortega."

"Iris Evans?" Charles adjusted his collar and glanced at Tessa. "I have to say, your mother's smarter. Maybe you should learn from her."

Iris stepped into the mansion, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She was here to confront her stepfather about her thesis.

She told herself to stay calm. Charles was already difficult to deal with, and his father might be even harsher. "I'm 21, an independent citizen. My mother's marriage doesn't make me anyone's daughter or sister."

She looked Charles straight in the eye when saying the last few words. "I believe that's common sense, Mr. Ortega."

"Very well, Ms. Independent Citizen," Charles bit out each word, his jaw clenched.

Damn, what was this stupid woman so proud of?

Maybe he should assert his authority. These two women were the outsiders!

But another voice cut before he could say anything else.

"Charles."

Iris looked up to see Randall Ortega descending the stairs with the butler. Tessa fluttered over like a butterfly. "Darling!"

Randall's gaze briefly landed on Iris before focusing on Charles. His tone was that of an undisputed leader. "Take your sister to her room to freshen up. Have her change into the casual clothes Doyle prepared."

Seriously? Casual clothes? What could be more casual than her sweatpants and cotton shirt? Clearly, her stepfather was displeased with her outfit. This OTG tyrant was exactly as she imagined.

"I don't need to freshen up, Mr. Ortega." Iris stepped forward, meeting Randall's gaze head-on.

Charles smirked inwardly. This girl was just like a porcupine, full of spines. And now, she was finally about to get a lesson—his father wouldn't tolerate defiance.

Sure enough, Randall frowned.

But just as he was about to speak, Tessa gently touched his arm, smiling, "If she doesn't want to change, she doesn't have to. She must be overwhelmed by such a big house, just like I was the first time I came..." She lowered her voice, teasing next to Randall's ear, "Who would've thought the middle-aged man always drowning his sorrows at my little bar was a billionaire?"

Randall's expression softened slightly. He cleared his throat and told Iris, "Have it your way, then."

Tessa was the only one who was oblivious to everyone's emotions. She cheerfully suggested, "Since we're all hungry, how about we start dinner now?"

Charles froze on the spot. He had expected his father to reprimand Iris as he often did to him.

But now, seeing this, he felt abandoned.

Why? Why was his usually stern father so lenient with this prickly girl?