chapter 12 I want to go, you go, I won’t go ===

It was already nine in the evening when Ulric bid farewell to Wilma and caught up with Mabel, only to be met with a cold reception.
"Ulric, don't expect any gratitude from me!"
Ulric was taken aback.
"I don't expect that. I just wanted to know if they didn't harm you?"
Rather than keeping quiet, Ulric's question only seemed to ice Mabel further. "What do you mean? Are you hoping they mistreated me?"
Seeing her anger, Ulric hurriedly clarified, "Don't misunderstand, that's not what I meant."
"Then what do you mean? Ulric, let me tell you, even if I'm fine, it has nothing to do with you."
Watching her storm off, Ulric shook his head but followed.
Early the next morning, Ulric greeted her, but Mabel remained as cold as ever. Ulric scratched his head awkwardly, "Um, the matter with Weasel is settled, and if there's nothing else, I plan to leave."
Mabel blinked in surprise, "Leave? Where to?"
"I'll go back where I came from! Don't worry, I won't force you into this marriage."
"No!"
“Why? Weren't you against this marriage? Why the sudden reluctance for me to leave?”
"That was before. But now that you've met that woman until I find a suitable opportunity, you're not allowed to go anywhere."
Ulric was dumbfounded.
"I see, you're trying to spite me with her?"
"Believe what you want. I won't let her see me as a joke. If you insist on leaving, you'll have to explain it to my grandfather and your master."
Mabel turned and went back to her room, leaving Ulric bewildered.
This woman was so unreasonable.
Cold and domineering, she wanted to restrict his freedom over this marriage. It made no sense.
Leaving was easy, but explaining to his master would be difficult. Ulric was stuck, so he reluctantly stayed.
For the next half month, Ulric idled away his time, either wandering around or staying on Bloomfield Boulevard, which bored him. Several times he thought of leaving without saying goodbye, but the thought of his master made him hesitate.
"Girl, Ulric hasn't been here for a while, has he? Are you two quarreling?"
In the Dun Family courtyard, Flynn lounged enjoying the day while Wilma sliced watermelon as if she hadn't heard.
"I'm talking to you. Are you two quarreling?"
Wilma handed him a piece of watermelon, pouting, "Grandpa, don't overthink it, we're fine."
"If everything's fine, why hasn't he come to talk to me? Did you upset him?"
"How could I?" Wilma explained as she ate, "He's our Dun Family benefactor, why would I dare upset him? Maybe he's just busy lately and hasn't had time to come."
"Wasn't he from the countryside? What's keeping him busy? Is he going back?"
"Oh, no, even if he wants to go back, he needs someone's permission!"
Flynn chuckled, "You're being cryptic, spill it, what's going on?"
Wilma fidgeted, "What's going on? Nothing's going on!"
"Don't keep secrets from Grandpa, I've watched you grow up, how can I not understand you? Do you like that boy? Does he have someone else in his heart?"
"No way! Grandpa, don't think too much, there's nothing like that."
Wilma couldn't stay any longer and hurriedly made an excuse to escape.
Flynn rocked in his chair, feeling quite pleased.
After all, that boy had some talent. If his granddaughter truly liked him, it would resolve things neatly. Even if Flynn left this world, he wouldn't have regrets.
Meanwhile, Wilma wandered the streets alone, recalling her grandfather's words and occasionally smiling foolishly. Initially thinking Ulric was dull, she found him quite interesting after a few encounters.
"I wonder what he's doing now? Is he with Mabel?" After not seeing him for half a month, Wilma inexplicably wanted to see him.
Should she ask him out or not?
As Wilma pondered, the phone rang.
Seeing it was Wilder calling, Wilma answered with an annoyed tone, "What's up?"
"Wilma, Ryker is hosting a dinner tonight at the Palace Hotel and he wants you and Mabel to join."
"I'm not interested!"
Wilma moved to hang up, but Wilder persisted, "Wilma, Ryker, and I are old classmates, it wouldn't be right for you not to come."
"Wilder, if you want to go, go by yourself. Don't drag me into it."
Wilma ended the call, and then recalled Ryker's invitation to Mabel. She called back, "Wilder, did you say he also invited Mabel?"
"Yeah, but they're not acquainted, so whether she'll come is uncertain. Wilma, since Ryker's asking, you should go!"
After some thought, Wilma relented, "Fine, I'll give him face. When?"
"Eight o'clock tonight!"
After hanging up, Wilma dialed Ulric's number.
"Miss Dun, what's up?"
Ulric, bored on Bloomfield Boulevard, was puzzled by her sudden call.
"Ulric, where are you? Are you with Mabel?"
"Oh, no, she's not back yet. What's going on?"
Relieved to hear this, Wilma explained Ryker's dinner invitation to him. Ulric was unsure about it.
"Miss Dun, I'll ask her when she's back. Knowing her, I doubt she'll go."
"That's true, but if she doesn't, would you accompany me?"
"Um... alright, I'll come find you tonight."
After hanging up, Ulric stood on the balcony, feeling helpless.
He had intended to go into town to annul the engagement, but now he was stuck dealing with such an unfeeling woman. Deja was still waiting for him in the mountains, but when would he be free...
When Mabel returned from work and saw his gloomy expression, she didn't bother to ask. She lounged on the couch, watching TV.
With her stunning looks, long legs, and alluring figure, Mabel was irresistibly attractive. Ulric felt embarrassed watching her, so to avoid awkwardness, he cleared his throat and said, "Um, Ryker from the Queen's Club wants to invite you to dinner, maybe as an apology. Will you go?"
Mabel ignored him.
Ulric continued, "If you decide to go, I'll let Miss Dun know, and..."
"She told you to pass on the message?"
Ulric nodded, and Mabel replied coldly, "If you want to go, go by yourself. I'm not interested."
She turned off the TV and retreated to her room, leaving Ulric standing there for a while. Knowing her personality, he understood.
As the sky darkened, Ulric arrived at the agreed meeting place with Wilma, relieved to see Mabel hadn't come.
Knowing Mabel's aloof nature as the president of the Flores Group, she naturally wouldn't fancy someone like Ryker. Plus, considering their previous encounter, there was no way she'd attend this dinner.