Chapter 429 Chandler Arrives

Chandler had clearly been there for a while, yet he was standing unnoticed at the back of the crowd.

Meryl felt tense facing the accusations from so many people. She didn’t want Chandler to get involved, but his presence gave her a sense of comfort.

Thinking that Chandler had heard their previous conversation, Meryl felt even more heartbroken for him.

Dylan appeared determined to brush off the situation. To him, Chandler was clearly the one who needed to yield.

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

Meryl walked over to Chandler, grasping his hand tightly as if to silently offer her support.

Chandler instinctively pulled Meryl into his embrace. He understood her desire to protect him.

Warmth flooded through him, and he wanted nothing more than to hold her tightly and kiss her deeply.

“How could I not come when you were being targeted by so many people?”

Meryl leaned against Chandler’s shoulder, casually replying, “It’s not really bullying. They are your family, after all. We were just having a lively discussion.”

Chandler was taken aback that she would still want to save face for his family after they had treated her so poorly.

His heart swelled with both love and pity. He pulled a cupcake from his pocket. “Have you eaten breakfast?”

Meryl shook her head, pleasantly surprised that Chandler had thought to bring her something to eat.

“I haven’t. I was just thinking about how nice a cupcake would be.”

Watching their closeness and how they seemed unfazed by the onlookers stirred a deep unease in Dalton.

He had just had the chance to speak the truth but had hesitated, missing his opportunity.

Dalton wanted to say something; he just knew that once he did, it would expose his feelings for Meryl that he had been trying to hide.

His career was on the upswing, and confronting Chandler now would leave him vulnerable.

But his indecision led to Meryl’s repeated disappointment in him.

Conflicted emotions churned within Dalton. Seeing Meryl wrapped in Chandler’s embrace made him want to rush over and separate them.

Chandler wrapped his arms around Meryl’s waist and lifted her effortlessly.

Instinctively, she clung to his neck, resting her head against his chest as a blush crept onto her cheeks. She hadn’t expected Chandler to pick her up in front of so many people.

“I’m taking you to the hallway to eat your cupcake,” Chandler murmured softly. “I’ll handle things here.”

The usually aloof and proud man transformed into someone incredibly gentle when it came to Meryl. He spoke to her in soft tones, shedding his usual cool demeanor.

The rest of the Aniston family looked on in surprise, sensing that Chandler was entirely different around Meryl.

Meryl glanced at the others before nodding. “Okay, I’ll follow your lead.”

She figured that since Chandler was also part of the Aniston family, he was probably better suited to handle their affairs than she was.

As she spoke, she prepared to step out of Chandler’s arms. She felt she could walk on her own.

But Chandler tightened his grip on her.

Even though it was only a few steps to the hallway, he insisted on carrying her.

Chandler not only brought Meryl a cupcake but also a doughnut topped with thick, tempting chocolate.

Once he settled her in the hallway, he left her to enjoy her snack.

Meryl sat there, munching away. The wall separating her from the others allowed her to hear the sounds coming from the room quite clearly.

Chandler pulled up a chair and sat down. Ever since he had arrived, an eerie silence had settled over the room.