<b>Chapter </b><b>303</b>
It <b>seemed </b>he was <b>nning </b><b>a </b><b>big </b>event. <b>To </b>those in the <b>know</b><b>, </b>Gregory was changing the locks. <b>But </b>to others, he <b>might </b><b>look </b>like <b>he </b><b>was </b><b>engaging </b>in some ancient ritual.
I finally put two and <b>two </b>together. “Is this… your missing fiancée’s garden<b>?</b><b>”</b>
Gregory’s thickshes fluttered as he shot me a nce<b>. </b>“You know the answer, so why ask<b>?</b><b>”</b>
<b>“</b>You…” I couldn’t help but blurt out, “Have <b>you </b>ever considered what if you can’t find her?”
He stared me down, his eyes narrowing, a mischievous smile on his lips. “Then I certainly won’t settle down for anyone, including <b>you</b><b>.”</b>
“Stop ttering yourself.” I nearly choked on my words. “Someone like you? I wouldn’t take you even if <i>you </i>were thest guy in the world<b>.”</b>
Having been burned by Bryant’s unrequited love once was enough for me. From then on, I’d steer clear of men haunted by the ghost <b>of </b>a past love.
And who was he? The heir of the Ford dynasty, a legacy five generations deep.
As a divorced woman, what right did <b>I </b>have to even dream of bing part of their family? Besides him, his family would probably chase me <b>out </b>with pitchforks.
<b>“</b><b>Mr. </b>Ford<b>, </b>Ms. Webster.” The butler ran over, out of breath. “I’ve been looking everywhere <b>for </b>you two: Lady Ramona was asking for <b>you</b><b>.”</b>
When we returned to Ramona’s garden, Bryant and Dorothy were there, too.
Dorothy was on the verge of a meltdown. “Grandma, you’re seriously not attending mine and Bryant’s engagement party?”
“Marriage is a matter for the parents to attend.” Ramona waved at me elegantly as I walked in, showing <b>no </b>interest <b>in </b>the festivities. “<b>I’m </b>getting old and don’t enjoy these loud events anymore.”
<b>I </b>nodded slightly and walked over, Ramona pulling me <b>to </b>sit beside her.
Fuming, Dorothy looked like she wanted to crush her coffee cup. “What if it were Lilliana’s engagement party?”
“You’ve alwayspared yourself to Lilliana.” Ramona didn’t directly answer, but her point was clear:
Lilliana, the granddaughter who shared a quarter of Ramona’s blood, wouldn’t just be another guest. She’d take the <b>reins </b>and make it an event to remember.
Not entirely witless, Dorothy caught the implication and felt slighted. “How could I notpare myself to Lilliana? Even the servants reminisce about how quirky and smart Lilliana was as a child! But no matter how great she was, she’s gone now. Why can’t you praise me for once… Ah<b>!</b>”
Before Dorothy could finish, with zero regard for gentlemanly conduct, Gregory flung a cup of warm coffee right at her.
Unperturbed by hisck of decorum, Gregory’s smirk grew wider. “Dorothy, what right do you have topare yourself to her? Her influence is why you’re heremanding attention.”
That single statement had metaphorically trampled Dorothy into the dirt. It was as if he was saying an imitation daring topare itself <b>to </b>the original.
Bryant, who had once stood by me, stepped forward to protect Dorothy, his gaze <b>icy</b>. “Mr. Ford<b>, </b>regardless of your thoughts, she is my fiancée.”This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.
<b>Is </b>that so?” Gregory’sugh came with implication. “If she truly manages to marry into the Ferguson family, I might respect her.” Bryant’s eyes widened, and he quickly changed the subject before Dorothy could catch the hidden meaning. “Whether you respect her <b>isn’t </b>the point.”
“Oh<b>.</b><b>” </b>Gregory seemed unbothered<b>, </b>his gaze sweeping over me before resting on Dorothy with a half–smile. “Do you think he’s that <b>into </b><b>you</b><b>?</b><b>”</b>