Chapter 2
Recalling last night’s revelations, Rianne silently clenched her fists.
She didn’t need Ash’s pity! As the Lockhart heiress, she had no shortage of suitors. If Ash didn’t want to marry her, plenty of others did.
“Dad, please don’t try to change my mind. Drake is wonderful. I can feel he truly loves me.”
“As for Julian and the others… they’re only loyal to me because they’re obligated as my suitors.”
Rianne lowered her thick lashes, hiding the desolation in her eyes. But she quickly composed herself, looking up at her father with renewed determination. “Dad, there’s one more thing.”
“Since I won’t be marrying any of those seven men, there’s no reason to keep supporting them.
Freeze all their funds and cancel Sophia’s bank cards. The Lockhart family doesn’t support
freeloaders!”
“Very well,” her father nodded. “If you’re not marrying them, there’s indeed no reason to keep them
around.”
“On your wedding day, I’ll have them all leave the Lockhart estate. Can’t risk them developing ideas
about stealing your inheritance.”
After speaking with her father, Rianne left the study.
She’d barely reached the staircase when she ran into Sophia.
“Sis, I heard you’re going to your horseback riding lesson this afternoon. Could you take me with you?” Sophia’s eyes sparkled as she ran up and looped her arm through Rianne’s, swaying playfully. “I want to learn to ride too. Please, please, sis?”
In the past, Rianne would have agreed immediately. She wasn’t stingy–when in a good mood, she might have even paid for Sophia’s riding lessons herself.
But now, remembering last night’s revelations, Rianne felt a wave of disgust. With undisguised revulsion, she yanked her arm free: “Stay away from me!”
She hadn’t used much force, but Sophia dramatically fell backward, tumbling down the stairs.
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“Sophia!” Ash’s panicked voice came from below.
Rianne looked down to see all her suitors gathered at the bottom of the stairs.
“Rianne, how could you be so cruel?” Zach, the most hot–tempered of the men, was the first to speak.
“What did Sophia ever do to you that made you push her down the stairs?”
“Zach, don’t,” Sophia tugged at his sleeve. “It’s not sis’s fault. I just lost my balance…”
She spoke with such careful timidity, her eyes reddening as if deeply wronged.
The tactic worked–the men looked at Rianne with barely concealed disgust, especially Ash, whose gaze was cold enough to freeze blood.
But he said nothing. He merely gave Rianne an icy glance before picking up Sophia and leaving without giving Rianne any chance to explain.
Rianne gave a bitter smile. It didn’t matter. She didn’t want to explain anymore. After all, they wouldn’t believe her anyway…
That afternoon’s riding lesson was originally just for Rianne and Ash. But when Rianne arrived at the equestrian center, she found Sophia there too.
“Sis, Ash brought me along,” Sophia smiled apologetically. “But don’t worry, I won’t disturb you two. You go ahead with your lesson, and I’ll work with the instructor.”
Her words sounded considerate, but once the lesson began, Ash never left Sophia’s side. He
personally saddled her horse, lifted her onto it with one hand.
When she couldn’t ride properly, he guided her hands–on.
When Sophia grew tired and wanted to dismount, Ash knelt down, letting her step on his shoulders
to get off.
The scene stabbed at Rianne’s heart. She too had once stepped on Ash’s shoulders to mount a horse.
But Ash hadn’t volunteered then.
Her father had been present that day and said: “A real gentleman kneels to no one–heaven, earth, or
man–except his wife.”
‘Kneel, Ash. Let Rianne step on your shoulders to mount the horse.”
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Chapter 2
“Remember, from now on, Rianne is your everything. Only she can have you at her feet–no one else.”
BITHAR
