Cha
“What if I don’t want to let go?”
My voice was cold as I stared Lillian Stafford down.
Her expression twisted instantly, venom flashing in her eyes. She stepped toward me slowly,
Then don’t blame me for what happens next.”
Before I could react, she shoved me–hard.
I plunged into the lake, icy water slamming into my throat and nose. My body convulsed as I tried to swim, to breathe, but I couldn’t even scream
“Lillian!” I gasped. “This is attempted murder!”
But she crouched by the shore, holding my head under with surprising strength, her voice sharp and cruel.
“This is a private vineyard, Evelyn. No cameras. No witnesses. Who’s to say you didn’t fall in on your own–or that I didn’t heroically ‘save‘ you?
The water blurred my vision. The weight of it crushed me, and I fought with everything I had–but I couldn’t break free from her grip.
Just as I felt myself fading, footsteps thundered in the distance.
“H–Help….” I choked out with the last of my strength.
Lillian’s face shifted. She instantly let go, then with a loud splash, dove into the lake after me.
“Someone help!” she cried. “Evelyn fell in!”
Through the haze, I saw Adrian Whitmore charging toward the water.
He jumped in–without hesitation. But he didn’t swim to me.
He swam straight to Lillian.
He pulled her from the water and cradled her in his arms.
He carried her to shore and she leaned weakly into his arms, gasping for air, “Leave me alone. family… …”
Adrian held her tightly, his voice trembling.
Go save Evelyn…… She’s the jewel of the Langford
Adrian, however, wrapped his arms around her tightly, his voice trembling, “Forget about her. You’re the apple of my eye.”
I heard that as the lake filled my lungs. And then-
Darkness.
“She’s awake!”
I opened my eyes to see Amy sobbing beside the bed.
“I’m so sorry, Miss Evelyn. I shouldn’t have left you alone…”
Memories of what happened cut through my mind like glass. I sat up, dazed, but Amy’s face had gone strange.
“What is it?”
She bit her lip. “It’s nothing…”
I narrowed my eyes. “Tell me the truth.”
Chapter
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she choked out, “Adrian came earlier, and he said.
I closed my eyes. I already knew.
“He said to stop using tricks to gain sympathy. That you probably ‘Tell
on purpose‘ again to soften his heart. He said: Lillian would never les
I looked down at my bandaged wrist.
I felt nothing.
Amy sobbed, “He doesn’t even remember what you did for him! You helped him prepare for his exams until the early hours of the morning, and you had a stomach bug; you gave him a limited number of fountain pens, and you desperately went to pull in investments for his business project. But now, he doesn’t even want to ask you a ‘are you okay.”
Once, I would’ve thrown a glass in rage.
Now?
All I felt was tired.
I reached out and wiped her tears. “Don’t
“Soon… this will all be over.”
She blinked. “What do you mean? The wedding’s coming up. Aren’t you still marrying Adrian?”
I didn’t answer.
Just smiled.
“You’ll see.”
In the days that followed, I stayed inside the Langford estate, watching headlines roll in one after another.
Adrian Whitmore spoils Lillian Stafford beyond belief-
He took her shopping down Fifth Avenue, dropping money like water.
Attended every event on her arm, showed off their “love” in front of reporters.
Even skipped a royal foundation gala just to stay by her side when she had the flu.
Everyone understood his message loud and clear.
He was publicly rejecting Evelyn Langford.
But I didn’t respond. Not once.
Then came the spring estate weekend–co–hosted by the Langford and Auburn families.
The invitation read: Outdoor equestrian experience & exclusive charity auction.
All the heirs, CEOs, and industry elites showed up. There were cameras, champagne stations, live–streaming crews. A stage built from wealth and power under open sky.
I had just stepped out of the car when I saw
Adrian, behind Lillian, gently adjusting her riding gloves.
He steadied her waist, helping her mount. His hands moved naturally–as if he’d memorized every inch of her.
A sharp ache pressed against my chest.
… Une Rοσσίησ
Chapter 5
The image was too familiar.
The same scene, in another life.
Springtime in Italy, garden in bloom–he kissed her with the same tenderness.
I looked away. Like I’d seen nothing.
“Evelyn!” her father beckoned from the VIP area not far away, his tone peremptory, “The terrain of today’s wilderness race course is too much, the forest section is not so good, you’ll have to be accompanied.”
He scanned the field. “Where are your fiancé candidates?”
Several of my fiancé candidates rode in, including Zone, the son of a top politician: Julian, the son of a media mogul, and Adrian.
The only one of them missing was Blake Hawthorne.
Father scowled. “Where’s Blake?”
Zone laughed and shrugged his shoulders, “The chairman probably forgot, he said he went to some wine festival in the south of France and didn’t return anyone’s messages for a whole week.”
My father’s Tace turned purple. “That reckless brat! The wedding’s around the corner, and this is what he does?”
Julian muttered under his breath, “It’s not like Evelyn was ever going to choose him anyway…”
Father whipped his head around. “Why not? She clearly-”
