Can't Control Myself

"Seeing Maya Summers so full of energy and back to her old self, I can finally relax." Samuel Summers looked at her with a gentle smile. "I was really worried before!"

Maya glanced at him and said, "What's there to worry about? I just made a mistake for a moment! Who hasn't messed up before?"

"Yeah." Samuel replied with a smile. "It's really not a big deal, I guess I was just overthinking. But next time you get engaged, it'd be best to pick someone you really know well."

There was a lot of meaning behind those words.

Someone you really know well—wasn't he talking about himself?

But Maya just pretended not to get it and shot back, "Speaking of engagements, ever since you broke things off with Cecilia Chen, how come you haven't made any moves?"

Samuel's eyes dimmed as he said, "I'm not in a hurry."

"Everyone your age is already a dad! You're really not in a hurry?" Maya laughed and patted his shoulder. "I'll introduce you to someone next time, how about it?"

"No need." Samuel dodged her hand. "There are still a lot of guests over there. I’ll go greet them first. You guys go on inside!"

With that, he walked away.

But his energy and spirit weren’t nearly as strong as before.

Grace frowned at Maya Summers. "Auntie, you know he’s only had eyes for you since he was ten. Why do you have to say things like that to him?"

Maya lowered her gaze and said, "He’s just not my type. If something needs to be said, then it should be said clearly—no beating around the bush."

"I think he’s great, and you two are perfect for each other. I don’t get what you’re thinking!"

"What do you know?" Maya shot her a glare. "It’s not enough for a man and a woman to just be compatible. You need that... spark."

"I get it." Grace sighed. "Let’s go!"

"You get it? So who’s got you feeling that spark?"

"No one..."

"So what’s going on with you and General Evan Xiao? I heard he came to see you a few days ago?"

"He just came to ask me about the Emperor of the Vermilion Kingdom."

"Really?"

"Really..." she started to say, but then trailed off.

Because she realized that Evan Xiao was right up ahead.

He was walking in with her dad, being led inside by Elder Shane.

And her big brother, who had somehow slipped away from the army, was following behind her dad.

"Dad!" Grace’s eyes lit up and she called out without thinking.

The three men turned around and saw a woman in a bright red dress and a fluffy cape, so stunning that she made the world pale in comparison, walking toward them.

Minister Zhuo asked, "You’re here?"

He’d come straight from court.

"Yep. Happy birthday, Uncle Shane!" Grace said cheerfully.

Elder Shane laughed heartily, "Getting a birthday wish from Grace, our prodigy with the Celestial Five-Element Root, is the best gift I could get today! Hahaha!"

"Don’t say that, Uncle Shane," Grace replied with a laugh.

"Come on! Let’s head inside together!" Lucas Shane led the two of them in.

Evan Xiao glanced at Grace but didn’t say anything, just strode ahead with his long legs.

Grace followed behind, sneaking glances at him from time to time.

The way he walked—unhurried, tall and well-built, his body long and powerful—he was truly a moving work of art...

Maya leaned over and snickered in a low voice, "When did you get so sweet-talking? Turns out you’re not really here for the birthday—your eyes are glued to him!"

Grace quickly looked away, feeling a little embarrassed.

She just couldn’t help herself whenever she saw Evan Xiao—she was totally out of control!

"Oh? Elder Shane, you’re here? Happy birthday!" a voice called out from the side.